greg2070

Q: airport problems

when i connect airport express via lan line to time capsule to extend wireless my internet speeds almost shut down.  why?

AirPort Express 802.11n (2nd generation), Mac OS X (10.6.8)

Posted on Jan 1, 2016 9:46 AM

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Q: airport problems

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  • by Tesserax,

    Tesserax Tesserax Jan 1, 2016 10:07 AM in response to greg2070
    Level 9 (54,776 points)
    Wireless
    Jan 1, 2016 10:07 AM in response to greg2070

    Possibly because you may have a configuration issue with both AirPort base stations.

     

    Is your goal to create an extended Wi-Fi network by configuring a roaming network with your base stations? If so, a common mistake when setting up this type of network is that the extending base station is configure to use the "Extend a wireless network" option instead of the "Create a wireless network" one. Might this be your case?

  • by Bob Timmons,

    Bob Timmons Bob Timmons Jan 1, 2016 10:17 AM in response to greg2070
    Level 10 (105,268 points)
    Wireless
    Jan 1, 2016 10:17 AM in response to greg2070

    Likely because you already had the AirPort Express configured to "extend a wireless network" and then you plugged the Ethernet cable in.

     

    When you did this, the Express was expecting a wireless connection....because it had already been set up that way.

     

    When it got an Ethernet connection, this created a massive feedback loop and effectively crashed the network.

     

    So, you have to start over and reset the Express back to factory default settings......then make the Ethernet connection.....then set up the Express again so that it will set up to use the Ethernet connection.  The setup "wizard" makes this virtually automatic.....assuming your Mac is running Mountain Lion,  Mavericks, Yosemite, or El Capitan.

     

    Or, if you want step-by-step, post back to let us know.

  • by greg2070,

    greg2070 greg2070 Jan 1, 2016 11:06 AM in response to Tesserax
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jan 1, 2016 11:06 AM in response to Tesserax

    I'LL check

  • by greg2070,

    greg2070 greg2070 Jan 1, 2016 11:07 AM in response to Bob Timmons
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jan 1, 2016 11:07 AM in response to Bob Timmons

    I might have will check and get back to you.  Thank you very much.  going out of town for tonight so I'll let you know

  • by greg2070,

    greg2070 greg2070 Jan 4, 2016 2:39 PM in response to Bob Timmons
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jan 4, 2016 2:39 PM in response to Bob Timmons

    Hi Bob, I have got back in town.  hit reset in back of airport express to flashing amber then connected ethernet cable to time capsule .  apple recognized it and now wants to click continue to set up.  ? continue button on manual button?  thx

  • by Bob Timmons,

    Bob Timmons Bob Timmons Jan 4, 2016 2:45 PM in response to greg2070
    Level 10 (105,268 points)
    Wireless
    Jan 4, 2016 2:45 PM in response to greg2070

    You are using a 5 year old version of AirPort Utility. I'll have to see if can find an older Mac here that is running the 10.6.8 operating system.  Will advise in a few hours.

  • by greg2070,

    greg2070 greg2070 Jan 4, 2016 2:47 PM in response to Bob Timmons
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jan 4, 2016 2:47 PM in response to Bob Timmons

    thank you.  so sorry.  appreciate it.

  • by Bob Timmons,

    Bob Timmons Bob Timmons Jan 4, 2016 3:01 PM in response to greg2070
    Level 10 (105,268 points)
    Wireless
    Jan 4, 2016 3:01 PM in response to greg2070

    This would be much easier and much faster if you have an iPhone or iPad handy.  Is that a possibility?

  • by greg2070,

    greg2070 greg2070 Jan 4, 2016 3:10 PM in response to Bob Timmons
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jan 4, 2016 3:10 PM in response to Bob Timmons

    yes iphone

  • by Bob Timmons,Solvedanswer

    Bob Timmons Bob Timmons Jan 4, 2016 3:55 PM in response to greg2070
    Level 10 (105,268 points)
    Wireless
    Jan 4, 2016 3:55 PM in response to greg2070

    Check to make sure that the Ethernet cable from the Time Capsule connects to the WAN "O" port on the AirPort Express

     

    On the iPhone home screen, tap Settings, then tap WiFi

    Tap on AirPort Express under the setting of Setup New AirPort Base Station

     

    The screen will indicate that the AirPort Express will be set up to extend the Time Capsule network

    Tap Next

    Wait a minute while the wizard sets up everything for you

    Tap Done when you see the message that the Express is extending the network

  • by Bob Timmons,

    Bob Timmons Bob Timmons Jan 4, 2016 6:13 PM in response to greg2070
    Level 10 (105,268 points)
    Wireless
    Jan 4, 2016 6:13 PM in response to greg2070

    Looks like you got things working with the iPhone "wizard" setup.  Compare that to this setup on your Mac using AirPort Utility:

     

    When the AirPort Express appears in AirPort Utility......click Manual Setup

     

    Click the Base Station tab below the row of icons at the top of the window

    Next to Base Station Name.....enter a name that you want to call the AirPort Express

    Next to WiFi Base Station Password....enter a password

    Next to Verify Password....type in the password again

    Check Time settings and set the current Time Zone

     

    Click the Wireless tab below the row of icons

    Next to Wireless Mode.....select Create a wireless network

    Wireless Network Name.....type in the exact same name as the Time Capsule network

    Radio Mode = Automatic

    Wireless Security = WPA2 Person

    Type in the same Wireless Password that the Time Capsule is using

    Type in the password again to Verify

     

    Click the Internet icon

    Click the Internet Connection tab

    Connect Using = Ethernet

    Connection Sharing = Off (Bridge Mode)

     

    Click Update to save the settings