fsfasd
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Q: How to setup new Airport Express to extend existing U-Verse WiFi home wireless network?

Hello,

 

What are the steps for setting up a new AIRPORT EXPRESS MC414LL/A in order to have it simply extend my existing home wireless network using my existing AT&T UVerse equipment.  Here are the details...

 

Internet Service Provider: AT&T U-Verse

Existing Equipment:  Primary AT&T Provided Modem/Router: ARRIS NVG589 (part # 587234-004-00) which handles my home's wired and wireless Wi-Fi.

PROBLEM: Does not provide full Wi-Fi coverage

SOLUTION: Attempting to add a new Airport Express so that it will extend the wireless coverage of the existing Wi-Fi network.  I am also planning on using some of the Airport Express functionality such as streaming my iTunes library content to my surround sound, etc.

NEW DEVICE:  APPLE AIRPORT EXPRESS 802.11n Wi-Fi PART # MC414LL/A

 

I would like to have the AT&T equipment continue to manage the Wi-Fi and network functionality (i.e. DNS, firewall, etc.) as it currently is doing.  However, I want to use the Airport Express to extend the Wi-Fi coverage.  I already have an ethernet cable running from that floor and to the AT&T ARRIS NVG589.  I just need to know how to setup my new Apple Airport Express.

 

Thanks!

AirPort Express 802.11n (2nd generation), OS X Yosemite (10.10.5)

Posted on Mar 6, 2016 11:14 AM

by Bob Timmons,Solvedanswer
Bob Timmons Bob Timmons
Level 10 (105,067 points)
Wireless
A:

Apple's setup "wizard" will normally choose the correct setup for you based on the information that it gathers from the network during its initial scan when you start the configuration process.

 

While you can use the long Ethernet cable that you have installed from the Uverse router to the location of the AirPort Express to set things up, I prefer to use a short, spare Ehternet cable for the setup, then connect the Express to the long Ethernet cable connection. It's your call.

 

Verify that the Ethernet cable connects from one of the four LAN <--> ports on the NVG589 modem/router to the WAN "O" port on the AirPort Express.

 

I assume that the Express has not been previously set up, and that it still has its factory default settings.

 

Power up the AirPort Express for a minute or two.

 

Click the WiFi icon at the top of the Mac's screen and look for a listing of New AirPort Base Station.

Just below that heading, click directly on AirPort Express

 

New AirPort Base Express.png

 

When you click on AirPort Express, the setup "wizard" will open up automatically and take a few seconds to analyze the network. Then, it will present a screen that looks similar to the illustration below, except that you will need your version of the AirPort Express pictured.

 

Uverse - Fios Setup.png

 

For Network Name.......type in the exact same name of the Uverse wireless network

For Base Station Name......type in a short simple device name for the AirPort Express, like Express, for example

For Password.......type in the exact same password that you for the Uverse wireless network

To Verify......type in the same password again to confirm

Click Next

 

The setup wizard will configure everything for you automatically.  When you see the message of Setup Complete, click Done. The Express will display a nice, green light at this time.

 

If you used a short spare Ethernet cable for the setup, now it the time to move the Express to the location where it will be used at the end of the long Ethernet cable and power it back up.  You should be be all set now.

Posted on Mar 7, 2016 11:55 AM

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Q: How to setup new Airport Express to extend existing U-Verse WiFi home wireless network?

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  • Helpful answers

  • by Tesserax,Helpful

    Tesserax Tesserax Mar 7, 2016 11:39 AM in response to fsfasd
    Level 9 (54,398 points)
    Wireless
    Mar 7, 2016 11:39 AM in response to fsfasd

    With the Express connected back to the Arris gateway by Ethernet you have the basis for a roaming-type network.

     

    I would recommend that you run the AirPort Utility and allow it to run an automatic installation of the Express. The utility should detect that the Express is connected by Ethernet and go through the steps to configure it properly. Note: If you have made any changes to the Express since taking it out of the box, I would strongly suggest that you first perform a "factory default" reset on it to ensure that the setup goes smoothly.

  • by Bob Timmons,Solvedanswer

    Bob Timmons Bob Timmons Mar 7, 2016 11:55 AM in response to fsfasd
    Level 10 (105,067 points)
    Wireless
    Mar 7, 2016 11:55 AM in response to fsfasd

    Apple's setup "wizard" will normally choose the correct setup for you based on the information that it gathers from the network during its initial scan when you start the configuration process.

     

    While you can use the long Ethernet cable that you have installed from the Uverse router to the location of the AirPort Express to set things up, I prefer to use a short, spare Ehternet cable for the setup, then connect the Express to the long Ethernet cable connection. It's your call.

     

    Verify that the Ethernet cable connects from one of the four LAN <--> ports on the NVG589 modem/router to the WAN "O" port on the AirPort Express.

     

    I assume that the Express has not been previously set up, and that it still has its factory default settings.

     

    Power up the AirPort Express for a minute or two.

     

    Click the WiFi icon at the top of the Mac's screen and look for a listing of New AirPort Base Station.

    Just below that heading, click directly on AirPort Express

     

    New AirPort Base Express.png

     

    When you click on AirPort Express, the setup "wizard" will open up automatically and take a few seconds to analyze the network. Then, it will present a screen that looks similar to the illustration below, except that you will need your version of the AirPort Express pictured.

     

    Uverse - Fios Setup.png

     

    For Network Name.......type in the exact same name of the Uverse wireless network

    For Base Station Name......type in a short simple device name for the AirPort Express, like Express, for example

    For Password.......type in the exact same password that you for the Uverse wireless network

    To Verify......type in the same password again to confirm

    Click Next

     

    The setup wizard will configure everything for you automatically.  When you see the message of Setup Complete, click Done. The Express will display a nice, green light at this time.

     

    If you used a short spare Ethernet cable for the setup, now it the time to move the Express to the location where it will be used at the end of the long Ethernet cable and power it back up.  You should be be all set now.

  • by fsfasd,

    fsfasd fsfasd Mar 7, 2016 11:43 AM in response to Tesserax
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Mar 7, 2016 11:43 AM in response to Tesserax

    Tesserax - Thanks for the information!  I was making it a little more complicated than it needed to be (was selecting the "Other" option during the initial setup wizard.  Seems to be working now.  Do you know if there is a way to verify if I am connected to the AE (instead of the ARRIS NVG589)?

  • by Bob Timmons,

    Bob Timmons Bob Timmons Mar 7, 2016 12:04 PM in response to fsfasd
    Level 10 (105,067 points)
    Wireless
    Mar 7, 2016 12:04 PM in response to fsfasd

    "I was making it a little more complicated than it needed to be (was selecting the"Other" option during the initial setup wizard."


    The setup wizard will almost always make the correct choice for you.  If you already had another Apple router instead of the Arris device, the setup wizard would automatically configure the Express with the same wireless network name and password for you, so the only step that you would need to take is assign a device name to the Express.


    "Do you know if there is a way to verify if I am connected to the AE (instead of the ARRIS NVG589)?"

     

    Locate your Mac near the Arris modem/router for a minute or two and make sure that you are logged onto the wireless network.

    Hold down the option key on your Mac while you click on the WiFi icon

    Look for the BSSID and jot down the last few characters

     

    Now move your Mac close to the AirPort Express and wait a minute or two

    Perform the same BSSID check as above

     

    If you see a different BSSID, then you know that your Mac has automatically switched to pick up the signal from the AirPort Express

     

    If you see the same BSSID as when you check on the Arris, then the Mac has not automatically switched "access points" and to get it to switch, you will need to turn off the WiFi for a few seconds, then turn it back on to give the Mac a chance to rescan and pick the closes access point.

  • by fsfasd,

    fsfasd fsfasd Mar 7, 2016 12:05 PM in response to Bob Timmons
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Mar 7, 2016 12:05 PM in response to Bob Timmons

    Bob - Thank you very much for the details and the quick reply.  It seems to be working now. 

     

    The new Airport Express did give the "No DNS Servers" message (screenshot).  From what I've read, it looks like that is probably to be expected since DNS is still being managed by my AT&T U-Verse equipment.  I've just selected Ignore.  No DNS information at all needs to be added on the Airport Express side, correct?

     

    AirportExpress_DNS_Error_ScreenShot_03072016 copy.jpg

     

    Also, is there any way to check which of the Wi-Fi devices are being used at any given time?  Is there a way to verify how well the Airport Express is working (i.e. signal strength, etc.)?

     

    Thanks again.

  • by Tesserax,

    Tesserax Tesserax Mar 7, 2016 12:39 PM in response to fsfasd
    Level 9 (54,398 points)
    Wireless
    Mar 7, 2016 12:39 PM in response to fsfasd

    Do you know if there is a way to verify if I am connected to the AE (instead of the ARRIS NVG589)?

    Yes. You can tell by using the AirPort icon in the OS X menu bar. Option-click on the icon and note the BSSID value shown. If this is the AirPort Express, its wireless MAC ID will be displayed.