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Jason Moe1 Author

Level 1

64 points

Extend Signal with CenturyLink Modem/Router

I have recently changed my ISP from cable to fiber and I'm having some difficulty adjusting my network to work with the new Internet signal.

My previous network setup:

1 Cable modem (Internet)

1 Airport Extreme Base Station A1408 (Creating network)

2 Airport Express A1392 (Extending network)

2 Airport Express A1084 (Airplay)

Now, instead of the cable modem, I have a CenturyLink Technicolor C2100T that functions as both a modem and a router (2.4 ghz and 5 ghz channels). Unfortunately, I cannot put the C2100T into bridge mode to function only as a modem because I also have TV service through CenturyLink, and bridge mode would disable that data stream.

My only option seems to be to extend the network using my airports as signal repeaters, but I haven't been able to get this to work through the Airport Utility. I tried connecting one of the A1392s to the 2.4 ghz network with the setting "extend the wireless network" in Airport Utility, but I had no success. Which signal is best to repeat? The 2.4 ghz or the 5 ghz? Does it even matter?

I would very much appreciate any advice on how best to proceed. Thanks in advance for your help!

AirPort Extreme 802.11n (5th Gen)

Posted on Oct 19, 2016 11:13 AM

37 replies

Jason Moe1 Author

Level 1

64 points

Feb 10, 2017 3:51 PM in response to Limnos

Thanks for the tip. I had first tried to disable wireless completely on the Technicolor by using bridge mode, but CL told me that would also disable Prism so for now we have to leave it on. Hardwiring the Ethernet might be a good solution for the future, though.

Jason Moe1 Author

Level 1

64 points

Feb 10, 2017 4:37 PM in response to Tesserax

After I clicked "Edit" to adjust the settings, I noticed that the Extreme remembers a password that I had used before the factory reset (not the network password, but a password to adjust settings on the Extreme). It seems as though the factory reset has not worked, although when WiFi is on and I use the AirPort Utility, I am able to find "AirPort Extreme 03ee8f."

When I click on the "Network" tab, my only options are to "Extend a Wireless Network" or "Create a Wireless Network," and the previous network name shows up. I do not see any option that lets me extend via ethernet.

Thanks again for your help.

Feb 11, 2017 6:04 AM in response to Jason Moe1

Tesserax was assuming that you were starting with the AirPort Extreme with default factory settings......which you should do whenever you are changing things around on the AirPort Extreme. It appears that your AirPort is still retaining seeings from a previous setup attempt.

In my experience, you will never see an "extend via Ethernet" setting unless the AirPort Extreme is connecting to another Apple AirPort router. You are not doing this, since you have a CenturyLink product. I'm about 99.99% sure that you will see a suggested setup that will display settings to "create a wireless network"......(like the example that I posted previously in the this thread).....if you start over and reset the AirPort Extreme back to its original factory default settings and then run the setup again.

If you want to go though this, post back for step-by-step instructions.

Jason Moe1 Author

Level 1

64 points

Feb 21, 2017 11:52 AM in response to Bob Timmons

Thank you for your response.

I think it might have worked! After I selected "Restore Default Settings" from the "Base Station" menu, the AirPort Utility seemed to stall as it was "Waiting for the AirPort Extreme..." I brought up the Force Quit Applications menu, and the Utility seemed to be fine. Even so, I chose to force quit because it had gone on for quite some time. As I power cycled the Extreme and rebooted the Utility, the reset seems to have worked and I was able to find the Extreme in the WiFi menu as you had described. I ran through the setup wizard as you suggested, using the same information as the CenturyLink modem, and everything seems to be working. Phew!

What are my next steps for the rest of the network? I have 2 AirPort Express and 2 older Express that I use for AirPlay.

Also, I should mention that I seem to be having intermittent trouble with the Powerline adapters. I am able to connect them initially, but they seem to lose their pairing over time. I usually unplug the remote unit, plug in nearby the base until they pair, and then move it back to the remote location. I am not sure if this is related to the problems with the Extreme.

Furthermore, I recently had CenturyLink come out because of a problem with my modem, and the technician told me that often the Powerline adapters will overload the modem and cause it to fail through electrical interference. He did a factory reset on the Technicolor and everything has been fine since.

Thanks again for all of your help, I really appreciate it!

Feb 21, 2017 1:30 PM in response to Jason Moe1

What are my next steps for the rest of the network? I have 2 AirPort Express

How will the AirPort Express devices connect to the network? Wireless? Wired Ethernet? Powerline Ethernet?

and 2 older Express that I use for AirPlay.

Same questions as above.

Important Note......the version of AirPort Utility that you have does not support the older AirPort Express A1084 versions, so you will need.....or be able to borrow for 10-15 minutes......a Mac running an older operating system like Leopard (10.5.x) or Snow Leopard (10.6.x), or a PC that has AirPort Utility for Windows installed on the device.

Jason Moe1 Author

Level 1

64 points

Feb 21, 2017 3:55 PM in response to Bob Timmons

How will the AirPort Express devices connect to the network?

One of the Express devices is next to the CenturyLink modem, so it will connect through ethernet.

The other Express will connect through WiFi.

As far as the older devices, I do have an old MacBook that should be able to run the older utility and communicate with those devices. Both of these are in different rooms than the other routers, and therefore they will connect via WiFi.

Feb 21, 2017 4:15 PM in response to Jason Moe1

One of the Express devices is next to the CenturyLink modem, so it will connect through ethernet.

If the CenturyLink modem/router is already providing a wireless network signal......which the AirPort Extreme is extending using Ethernet.....then it would make no sense to have another AirPort in close proximity to the CenturyLink modem/router.

What would be your goal with the AirPort Express located close to the CenturyLink modem/router?

Feb 22, 2017 5:50 PM in response to Jason Moe1

Sorry, I'm still not clear on this.

The standard configuration with the AirPort Express will have it broadcasting a wireless signal, but the AirPort Express is way too close to your CenturyLink modem/router......which is also broadcasting a wireless signal.

As I mentioned previously, you would not want to have the CenturyLink modem/router and the AirPort Express both broadcasting the same wireless network......since they are in close proximity to each other.

Although you did not mention this, are you saying that you plan to turn off the wireless function of the AirPort Express, and use it only as a wired device?

Or, were you saying that you plan to use the wireless broadcast from this AirPort Express....and turn off the wireless function on the CenturyLink modem/router?

Jason Moe1 Author

Level 1

64 points

Feb 22, 2017 8:50 PM in response to Bob Timmons

Although you did not mention this, are you saying that you plan to turn off the wireless function of the AirPort Express, and use it only as a wired device?

I had not planned on doing that because I figured that the device needed wireless to support AirPlay. Is that correct?

Or, were you saying that you plan to use the wireless broadcast from this AirPort Express....and turn off the wireless function on the CenturyLink modem/router?

Unfortunately I am unable to turn off the wireless function on the CenturyLink modem/router because doing so would prohibit the TV signal from being used.

Jason Moe1 Author

Level 1

64 points

Feb 23, 2017 2:38 PM in response to Bob Timmons

Great, I have completed all of the steps for that AirPort Express and everything went smoothly. It seems to be working well through AirPlay. Thank you.

What are my next steps for the remaining Express and the two older models? I have checked my signal coverage throughout the house without those devices, and there are some weaker spots about 10-15 feet away from the remaining Express' location, so it seems I will need to use it to extend the network as well. The signal varies from 2/3 bars on an iPhone to 2-3/4 bars on my MacBook. Would extending the network in this case cause too much signal interference?

Thanks again for your help.

TroyDA

Level 1

4 points

Jul 3, 2017 9:21 AM in response to Jason Moe1

Just faced the same problem yesterday going from XFINITY cable internet to CenturyLink with a C2100T modem/router. After much trail and error, finally got it all figured out. I connected my Airport Extreme Base (tower) station to the CL router via ethernet. Using the CL modem/router set-up site, I turned off the radio signals for both 2.4GHz & 5GHZ - this does not affect the function of my second CL cable box. That wifi signal comes from the primary cable box, which is connected to the C2100T via ethernet. Airport Utility then suggested I put my Airport Extreme into bridge mode, which I did. I then used an Airport Express and an older Airport Extreme (flat) to extend the signal. Within Airport Utility, I selected the option for the 5GHz signal which then broadcasts two separate signals. The 5GHz is pretty dang fast (120 Mbps+). Some things don't recognize the 5GHz signal (wireless printer, XBOX 360) thus the need for the two separate signals.

pl11

Level 1

13 points

Oct 18, 2017 3:47 AM in response to TroyDA

Hey TroyDA

Hope you answer this seeing as your response was in July. Am dealing with the same issues and have question which I hope you'll be able to clear up. In your response you said you turned off wireless radio in the CL wireless router. Didn't that kill you ability to get a tv signal? I can see where I would be able to use the CL router to provide signal to 1 tv since that uses a wired connection from the CL router, however the other two tv's are connected via wireless. If I killed wireless broadcasting on the CL box can't see how it would provide a tv signal to the other two tv's.

Also, you mentioned having a second CL router. Are you saying you have a main CL box which brings the signal in to your house, then two CL wireless routers? Currently I have the main CL box that brings the signal into the house and 1 CL wireless router. My hope was to then use my AirPort extremes to allow access for my Macs, iPhones and USB connected HP printer. Hope this all makes sense and really hope to get a reply from you.

Thanks for any assistance you can provide.

Oct 18, 2017 4:43 PM in response to Jason Moe1

Couple of things...which may sound like I'm being a jerk but that are important. If you have fibre you don't have a "modem" you have an "Optical Network Terminal" or ONT. You don't say if you asked for a non-wireless ONT or one with the Wireless disabled. In my case I had to press for this as they want to provide you their "wireless" and you have to agree you will provide your own support past the ONT. Have you had these discussions? There is no technical reason why you can't only a policy reason and, if you are leasing, a money for them.

Second, regardless, if you have AC capable devices, your wireless network set up is "less than ideal" and is a waste of fibre. I would stop using anything other than the Express for Airplay and buy two current generation Airport Extreme used on Craigslist or Ebay if money is an issue. I see them for about $125 all the time. In my case, with Fibre, I have four (4) Airport Extremes (large house) the first plugs into the ONT (wireless turned off) using ethernet, the other three (3) extend the network around the house. Finally I have one Airport Express for AirPlay like you.

No, I guess I'm not answering your question, others seem to be doing just fine, rather I don't feel your set-up is ideal even if it works. IMHO..it's just not worth the effort and you're better served with some form of the above.

Good luck!

Edit: Some interesting info here:

https://kmwoley.com/blog/bypassing-needless-centurylink-wireless-router-on-gigab it-fiber/

Tesserax

Level 10

152,870 points

Oct 19, 2016 12:55 PM in response to Jason Moe1

I am assuming that you want each of the AirPort base station use wireless connections between them for this extended network ... correct?

If so, the following should be possible:

Create a roaming network with the C2100T & AirPort Extreme, and then, use one of the AirPort Express base stations to extend this roaming network.
This would require that the Extreme to be connected to the C2100T by Ethernet and to broadcast its own network. This network would use the same network name, wireless security type & password as the C2100T's Wi-Fi network.
Depending on where you place the Extreme, you may not need the Express at all. Note: The Extreme should not be near the C2100T as the two would interfere with each other's wireless network. Ideally, it should be placed, at least, one room away.

Jason Moe1 Author

Level 1

64 points

Oct 19, 2016 12:50 PM in response to Tesserax

Thanks for your response! Yes, each of the Airports use wireless between them to connect to this extended network (and allow AirPlay to function).

The roaming network sounds like a good solution, but unfortunately I do not have wired ethernet in my house and so I have no way to connect the Extreme to the C2100T without placing them next to each other (and thus causing interference).

Is it possible to use the any of the Airports to extend the C2100T wireless signal? I checked with CenturyLink, and they said that the C2100T works with third-party wireless extenders, but they could not advise on how to connect the Airport devices.

Extend Signal with CenturyLink Modem/Router