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AE settings for extended wireless network?

Expanded AE wants a LAN connection and modem reset. How to do this without an ethernet cable back to

AE base station for wifi network? Otherwise extra AE isn't recognized through wifi!


Thanks:)

MacBook Pro with Retina display, macOS High Sierra (10.13.1), Apple since 1985

Posted on Nov 17, 2017 1:05 PM

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Question marked as Best reply

Posted on Nov 17, 2017 2:58 PM

The problem is that Airport Utility recognizes the extended AE (set to bridge mode) but the second setup step asks for a wired LAN connection into the WAN port - as on the base station (connected to the modem).

I'm not sure which "second step" that you are referring two. The setup "wizard" will not ask for this.


Please try the following:


Power up the second AirPort Extreme for a minute or two

Hold in the reset button on the back of the AirPort Extreme for 7-8 seconds, then release

Allow a full minute for the AirPort Extreme to restart to a slow, blinking amber light status


Temporarily, locate the second AirPort Extreme close to the "main" AirPort Extreme


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

Just below that listing, click directly on AirPort Extreme


User uploaded file


When you click on AirPort Extreme, the setup "wizard" will open up automatically and take a few seconds to analyze the network, then display a screen that looks similar to the example below, except that you will see your devices and network name displayed


User uploaded file


Type in a short simple name that you want to call the second AirPort Extreme

Click Next, and the setup "wizard" will automatically configure the second AirPort Extreme with the correct settings.


When you see the message of setup complete, click Done


Now move the second AirPort Extreme to a location that is about half way between the "main" AirPort Extreme and the general area where you need more wireless coverage.


Power up the second AirPort Extreme, and you should be all set.

26 replies

Nov 18, 2017 12:21 PM in response to Bob Timmons

I like your logical communications... .


1. The base AE is right next to the comcast modem. It is green and working fine.


Also, here's a tip from the comcast modem manual:


"WPS (WIRELESS PROTECTED SETUP)

—OFF (normal condition) Wireless

Protected Setup is not active. Blinking indicates the button has been pressed and

WPS is active so that a new wireless client can be added to the wireless network."


I read this as having to press this button to allow setup of AE#2; do you?


2. I do not know of a way to turn off the comcast Wifi other than unplugging the short ethernet cable to the base, AE#1


I'll be reading the manual as you consider this input.


Thanks.

Nov 18, 2017 12:22 PM in response to Bob Timmons

Also, here's a tip from the comcast modem manual:


"WPS (WIRELESS PROTECTED SETUP)

—OFF (normal condition) Wireless

Protected Setup is not active. Blinking indicates the button has been pressed and

WPS is active so that a new wireless client can be added to the wireless network."


I read this as having to press this button to allow setup of AE#2; do you?


2. I do not know of a way to turn off the comcast Wifi other than unplugging the short ethernet cable to the base, AE#1


I'll be reading the manual as you consider this input.


Thanks.

Nov 18, 2017 12:29 PM in response to NeedMo

1. The base is right next to the Comcast modem

2. I do not know how to turn off Wifi coming from modem without disconnecting the connected ethernet cable


Also, here's a tip from the comcast modem manual:


"WPS (WIRELESS PROTECTED SETUP)

—OFF (normal condition) Wireless

Protected Setup is not active. Blinking indicates the button has been pressed and

WPS is active so that a new wireless client can be added to the wireless network."


I read this as having to press this button to allow setup of AE#2; do you?




I'll be reading the manual as you consider this input.


Thanks.

Nov 18, 2017 12:49 PM in response to NeedMo

In order to turn off the WiFi on the Comcast device.......which I recommend.....you will need to refer to the setup guide for the Comcast modem/router......or.....contact Comcast support to ask them how to do this.


If you do not want to turn off the WiFi on the Comcast device......then it is very important that the AirPort Extreme broadcasts a network that uses a different wireless network name and password than the Comcast router.


Is this the case now? Does the AirPort Extreme use the same wireless network name and password as the Comcast, or does the AirPort Extreme use a different wireless network name and password than the Comcast router?


"WPS (WIRELESS PROTECTED SETUP)

—OFF (normal condition) Wireless

Protected Setup is not active. Blinking indicates the button has been pressed and

WPS is active so that a new wireless client can be added to the wireless network."


I read this as having to press this button to allow setup of AE#2; do you?

No, WPS settings on your Comcast will not be used at all to set up AirPort #2.


Reason....the AirPort routers do not support WPS setup. So, things are never going to work if you try to use the WPS settings on the Comcast modem/router.

Nov 18, 2017 12:59 PM in response to Bob Timmons

Okay, good thinking...


Is this the case now? Does the AirPort Extreme use the same wireless network name as the Comcast, or does the AirPort Extreme use a different wireless network name than the Comcast?


Answer: Comcast uses a different NW name, a default & PW printed on the label. I logged into 10.0.0.1 to gain access to comcast modem controls, per 'how to'. I changed the default NW and PW to my own.


BTW, I just tried setting up AE#2, extended. It worked but replaced the base AE, or renamed base. IAE, there's only

one AE showing on the Airport Utility??? (Seems the process of setting up #2 AE saw it as a new base?) Very

confusing!


Ideas?

Nov 18, 2017 1:13 PM in response to NeedMo

Unfortunately, the Comcast manual does not tell you how to simply turn off the WiFi function of the gateway.


So, if you want to turn off the WiFi.....which I recommend....you will have to contact Comcast support to ask for instructions. They will probably not want you to do this, so they may be less than thrilled to help you.


What were the exact steps that you used to set up AirPort #2?

Nov 18, 2017 1:14 PM in response to Bob Timmons

1. I held the AE#2 reset in until blinking

2. It appeared on Airport Utility with Apple's default network.

3. I clicked the start setup.

a. Step 1 showed a NW search.

b. Step 2 said 'could not connect to internet...attach ethernet cable...', which I skipped and hit next

4. Took a minute or so but window finally showed 'Setup complete', with new AE name, which I had just assigned.

5. New AE appeared in Airport Utility, singularly; the AE#1 base name was gone (there before I did this process).

Nov 18, 2017 2:40 PM in response to Bob Timmons

I did the routine on AE 2 exactly as you described, next to base and modem.

(Now using OS 10.13.1 High Sierra)


I understand the objective but AE#2 absolutely will not sequence the screens as intended, above.


It does exactly as described previously, asking for ethernet connect is step 2.

(If I do connect it with an ethernet cable it displaces the other AE, i.e. the base.)


Unless you have another idea I think it best to reset the comcast modem and start afresh:~(


I appreciate all your efforts. You've been a trooper! So many hours on an otherwise straightforward task... . Easiiy

a $1000 worth of time.

Nov 18, 2017 2:49 PM in response to NeedMo

I am afraid that resetting the Comcast modem/router will be of no value.


But, it would be a good idea to reset AirPort #1 and set it up again.


When you see the screens that I have posted previously for the setup of AirPort #2, you will know that you are on the right track.


I just set up a spare AirPort Extreme here as a test, and it set up exactly as the screenshots illustrate, with a message of Setup Complete and a green light.


If things fail again, then try the setup using an iPhone or iPad. Post back it you need tips on this.

AE settings for extended wireless network?

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