End of the Earth

Q: Extend range of WiFi with Airport Time Capsule and Airport Express

I would like to extend the range on my WiFi network being run on an Airport Time Capsule with an Airport Extreme. The Internet signal, DSL, runs from the cable box in a closet and has two Ethernet cables running from the box. I installed a simple Ethernet switch and ran the Internet into it, with the two Ethernet cables running out and into two rooms in my apartment. I set the Time Capsule up as the WiFi router and then the Express in the other room in Bridge Mode to extend the range of the WiFi network and allow for AirPlay. This setup works fine for a while, but after a while problems arise. The Express appears to change back to creating the WiFi network on its own and I have seen the problem of conflicting DCHP addreses.

 

What seemed to work fine was using the Express as the "hub" and I ran the Internet straight into it and one Ethernet cable out to connect the Time Capsule in Bridge Mode. This is less than ideal for me, however, because I would like the Express to be in another room to extend the range of the WiFi network to that part of my apartment and to be able to use it for AirPlay.

 

Please help.

Airport Time Capsule, Extending range of WiFi

Posted on Mar 14, 2016 5:46 AM

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Q: Extend range of WiFi with Airport Time Capsule and Airport Express

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  • by Bob Timmons,

    Bob Timmons Bob Timmons Mar 14, 2016 6:20 AM in response to End of the Earth
    Level 10 (105,003 points)
    Wireless
    Mar 14, 2016 6:20 AM in response to End of the Earth

    If you could let us know what operating system that you are using on your Mac or PC, we will give you a suggested setup for the AirPort Express that will allow both the Express and Time Capsule to connect to the Ethernet switch and perform correctly.

     

    We assume that the switch and cabling are working correctly in your current setup, as well as the Time Capsule, is that correct?

  • by End of the Earth,

    End of the Earth End of the Earth Mar 14, 2016 6:24 AM in response to Bob Timmons
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Apple Music
    Mar 14, 2016 6:24 AM in response to Bob Timmons

    I have tried to set everything up with the Airport Utility app on my iPhone 6S and also with the Window based Airport Utility on my Windows 7 laptop. Regarding the switch and cabling. Before I bought the Airport Express I had the switch working correctly with the Time Capsule running a WiFi network in one part of the apartment and a Linksys WiFi router running a second WiFi network where I am trying to set up the Airport Express. So the DSL ran into the switch and the two Ethernet cables ran to the room with the Time Capsule and the room with the Linksys router and it worked fine.

  • by Bob Timmons,Helpful

    Bob Timmons Bob Timmons Mar 14, 2016 5:47 PM in response to End of the Earth
    Level 10 (105,003 points)
    Wireless
    Mar 14, 2016 5:47 PM in response to End of the Earth

    Thanks for the info. Please try the following.

     

    Perform a Hard Reset on the AirPort Express by powering it up, waiting a minute or two, and then holding in the reset button on the back of the Express for 5 to 6 seconds. Then, release the reset button and allow a full minute for the AirPort Express to restart to a slow, blinking amber light status.

     

    Temporarily, use a short, spare Ethernet cable.....any length will do....and connect it from one of the LAN <--> ports on the Time Capsule to the WAN "O" port on the Express.

     

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

    Under the heading of Setup a new device or Setup a new base station.....tap on AirPort Extreme

     

    The next screen will suggest that the AirPort Extreme will extend the Time Capsule network

    Tap Next

     

    The next screen should indicate that the Express is being set up to extend the Time Capsule using Ethernet.

     

    Wait a minute while the setup completes, then when you see the message that the Express is extending the Time Capsule, tap Done.

     

    Now that you know that the Express has been set up correctly to extend the network using Ethernet, you can now power off the Express and move it to the location where it is needed, connect the Ethernet cable from the switch to the WAN "O" on the Express and power up the Express.

     

    You should be all set.....assuming that the switch and Ethernet cable are functioning correctly.

  • by End of the Earth,

    End of the Earth End of the Earth Mar 14, 2016 6:06 PM in response to Bob Timmons
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Apple Music
    Mar 14, 2016 6:06 PM in response to Bob Timmons

    Well, everything went as you explained, and the system appears to be working as desired, but a few new problems have arisen. For example, the Apple TV that is connected to the Time Capsule (main base station) now reports that it is not connected to the network. I reset it, checked the Ethernet cables 3 times, and tried again, but no luck. Before, when I had the other problems, the Apple TV worked flawlessly.

     

    Another problem is with my wife's Mac Air. She is able to connect to the WiFi network, but has no Internet connection. I had to omit the network and reconnect, but I now am connected and have Internet on my iPhone.

     

    FInally, I have added a screenshot of the Airport app showing the network. Is the configuration diagram the correct one for a repeated, and not extended network?

     

    image.png

     

    Thanks

  • by End of the Earth,

    End of the Earth End of the Earth Mar 14, 2016 6:24 PM in response to End of the Earth
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Apple Music
    Mar 14, 2016 6:24 PM in response to End of the Earth

    I forgot to mention that when I inquired as to which DCPH mode the base stations have, they are both in Bridge Mode. I inderstood that the main base station, in my case the Time Capsule, should be creating the network and the other one should be in Bridge Mide. I changed the Time Capsule to Create, but had to switch it back to Bridge because it didn't work.

  • by End of the Earth,

    End of the Earth End of the Earth Mar 15, 2016 3:49 AM in response to End of the Earth
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Apple Music
    Mar 15, 2016 3:49 AM in response to End of the Earth

    Further to the above. I needed to leave the house with Internet for my wife and just in case my daughter needs it for a homework assignment this evening, so before leaving the house this morning I disconnected the Airport Express and changed the Time Capsule to "Create a network", instead of Bridge mode, and it worked immediately. At least for my iPhone 6S, which connected to the WiFi network and immediately had an Internet connection.

     

    I forget if I mentioned that one solution I tried, and that worked, was to use the Airport Express as the "switch", connecting it directly to the DSL line and then the Time Capsule via the Ethernet cable. That seemed to work, but I would like to place the Airport Express in a different location.