Adding Multiple Airport Express' to a Non Apple Router/Network ?

Question

Level 1

8 points

Adding Multiple Airport Express' to a Non Apple Router/Network ?

Hi all

Looking for some help.

Until yesterday I had an ADSL Internet connection and home WiFi network which consisted of a basic non-routing modem, connected to a Time Capsule. The extended wireless network had 3 Airport Express's connected.

My ISP (TPG in Australia) switched my ADSL over to the new NBN yesterday and have sent me a new HUAWEI Modem/WiFi router. Therefore I no longer need my Time Capsule for routing purposes.

My question now is; Can I connect my A-Express's to the non Apple router to create a similar extended network to what I had before ? I've already done a bit of reading and it appears not !

Thanks in advance.

Time Capsule 802.11n (4th Gen)

Posted on May 6, 2016 8:27 PM

Reply

Answer 1

Bob Timmons

Level 10

186,224 points

May 6, 2016 10:06 PM in response to bigdazzler

Can I connect my A-Express's to the non Apple router to create a similar extended network to what I had before ?

Sorry, but no. Apple's "extend" feature is proprietary. The Express devices can only wirelessly "extend" the signal from another Apple router.

You can still use the Time Capsule to provide a wireless network signal.....and the the Expresses can "extend" it.

You might use the wireless from the Huawei product for "guests", or turn off the wireless function on the device if you don't need two wireless networks.

Reply

Answer 2

bigdazzler Author

Level 1

8 points

May 8, 2016 8:24 PM in response to Bob Timmons

Thanks Bob. I thought as much after reading much info.

Ive fixed that problem by re-connecting my TC to my new router and configuring it to the same SSID. Ive also reconfigured all of my new A-EXP's and my network now looks the same as it did before which is good news ! I was just hoping to not have to have the new router and the TC connected. I didnt think Id need the TC.

Ive come across another issue though. My mac won't hold the Wifi connection on the new network. It connected momentarily when I first set it up but then it dropped the wifi altogether and I keep getting a message "Cannot join network, please move computer closer to router or run diagnostics for more info"

Ive worked around this by placing an A-EX next to the mac and patching it to the mac via ethernet cable. The mac now thinks its connected via ethernet and not WiFi which seems to be working well.

After doing some reading it seems that the wireless LAN adapter inside the 2008 macs are prone to failure after a period of time, so I suspect that this may be my problem.

Reply

Answer 3

Bob Timmons

Level 10

186,224 points

May 8, 2016 8:44 PM in response to bigdazzler

I thought as much after reading much info.

Hopefully, you did not spend a lot of time on this. The answer is as simple as looking at the product information sheet for the AirPort Express.

http://www.apple.com/airport-express/

Specifically, here is the pertinent info that you were looking for:

If you already have a wireless network in your home and want to extend its range, AirPort Express can help. Just place it in range of your primary base station — an AirPort Extreme, AirPort Time Capsule, or another AirPort Express

My mac won't hold the Wifi connection on the new network

If other wireless devices will hold the connection, then I agree that the wireless on the 8 year old Mac is probably suspect. Hopefully, the Ethernet connection will hold up well.

Reply

Answer 4

bigdazzler Author

Level 1

8 points

May 8, 2016 10:37 PM in response to Bob Timmons

Not too much time fortunately. I quickly realised that Id made a wrong assumption in thinking that I could add the AP Express devices to the no-Apple router.

Regarding the wireless issue on the mac, the ethernet workaround seems to be ok but I'm a little bummed because that Wifi instability now means that I can't use my Seagate Central Media NAS either. I can the share in Finder but I can't connect to the drive.

The other wireless clients including 2 iPhones and a blu ray player are holding the wifi connection well, its really on the mac that isn't holding up. Do you think Is it worth getting the the LAN adapter card looked at and/or replaced on the 2008 machine or just not worth the money and hassle ? Other than this issue the machine is still working fine.

Reply

Answer 5

Bob Timmons

Level 10

186,224 points

May 9, 2016 6:37 AM in response to bigdazzler

I would check with a local service shop and ask them for a rough estimate on the cost of installing a new wireless card. But, I would also not be surprised if the shop indicates that it may be difficult to find the part(s) needed for repairs.

Some shops will not proceed at all unless you agree to pay a diagnostic fee.....which is not refundable or applied to repairs.....so hopefully, you won't run into that type of shop.

Reply

Answer 6

Tesserax

Level 10

158,532 points

May 9, 2016 1:28 PM in response to bigdazzler

Regarding the wireless issue on the mac, the ethernet workaround seems to be ok but I'm a little bummed because that Wifi instability now means that I can't use my Seagate Central Media NAS either. I can the share in Finder but I can't connect to the drive.

Try the following on your Mac in order, until (hopefully) resolved:

Create a New User Account
- System Preferences > Accounts
- Click "+" to add a new account.
- Log off, and then, log back on with the new user account.
- Try connecting to a Wi-Fi network with your Mac's AirPort.
- If this resolves the problem, there may be something amiss with your current profile and will require further troubleshooting.
- If this does not resolve the problem, go ahead and log back into your normal account and go on to the next step.
Delete AirPort Keychain Entries
- Launch the "Keychain Access" application located in Applications/Utilities.
- In the windows on the left side: Select login for Keychains and "All Items" for Category.
- Click on the "Kind" filter at the top, and look for any "AirPort network password" entries...and delete them.
Delete Preferred Network(s)
- System Preferences > Network > Wi-Fi > Advanced > Wi-Fi tab
- Under "Preferred Networks," delete the network(s) you regularly use from the list.
Add Preferred Network(s)
- System Preferences > Network > Wi-Fi > Advanced > Wi-Fi tab
- Add the preferred network(s) using the "+" button.
- Restart or log out then back in.
Move System Configuration Files

In Finder, go to /Macinstosh HD/Library/Preferences/SystemConfiguration

Move (not copy) the entire SystemConfiguration folder to the OS X desktop.

Restart the computer.

Verify that you have connectivity.

If all of the above fails to stabilize the wireless connection for your Mac, then next phase is to run the Apple Hardware Test to determine if the internal card is faulty.

Reply