User profile for user: sporry
sporry Author
User level: Level 1
21 points

Setting up an extended wireless network

Hi guys,


I'm trying to create a wireless network without success.

I am using a Vodafone modem router, a Time Capsule, and two Airport express units.

The modem/router is the main internet point. I changed the name of the modem/router network to <my network name>. I did the same for the Time Capsule and the two Airport Express units.

It was kind of working earlier, but now its gone completely haywire. The Apple stuff is constantly flickering between available and not available, and constantly asking me to enter passwords.


Basically what I want is the Modem/router will be the living room access point with wifi. The Time capsule is connected to the modem/router, and the airport express units are connected to the time capsule.


What are the settings for what I want to do? Please provide screenshots of each page that shows up on the airport utility for each unit. (I know the modem/router will not show up as it is not an apple product).

MacBook Air, OS X Mountain Lion, 64GB 11.6" 1.7GHz

Posted on Dec 2, 2018 3:46 PM

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User profile for user: Bob Timmons
Bob Timmons
User level: Level 10
185,138 points

Posted on Dec 3, 2018 2:45 PM

Unfortunately, the Country Codes between the modem/router and the Time Capsule do not match.....and that is likely creating some issues with some of Apple's newer updates that we may not be able to solve, since Apple ships different products to different areas in the world based on the wireless "rules" in that area.


It appears that the Time Capsule is set up generally correct, but we need to check some settings using AirPort Utility on your Mac.


See if you can open AirPort Utility, then click on the picture of the Time Capsule, and then click Edit in the lower right corner of the smaller window that appears.


Click on the Wireless tab at the top of the screen, then check the settings for the following:


Network Mode......This should be set to "Create a wireless network"

Wireless Network Name.....This should be the exact same wireless network name as your modem/router network

Wireless Security.......Unfortunately, you will need to change this to WPA/WPA 2 Personal to match the modem/router network

Wireless Password......This should be the exact same wireless password that the modem/router is using

Verify Password......This is the same password to confirm


Click on the Network tab at the top of the screen, then check the setting for the following:


Router Mode.....This must be set to "Off" Bridge Mode.


Click Update at the lower right of the window.


At this point, you should be able to "walk" your Mac laptop from the area near the modem router to the area near the Time Capsule and remain on the same network.


To verify that the Mac is changing access points automatically, hold down the option key like you did before and note the BSSID when the Mac is near the modem router and the BSSID when the Mac is near the Time Capsule.


You should see different BSSID's when the Mac moves from one location to the other, which confirms that the Mac is staying on the same wireless network, but it is changing the access point from the modem/router to the Time Capsule as it moves from one area to another.


I will answer the question about 5 GHz later.

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User profile for user: Bob Timmons
Bob Timmons
User level: Level 10
185,138 points

Dec 3, 2018 3:05 PM in response to sporry

OK, thanks for the update.


Regarding 5 GHz......Unless things have changed very recently, it is against the law to use Channel 149 in the U.K. That may explain some of the difficulty that you are having.


You may need to get with LaPastenague.....(see his post above)......who knows secrets about the Time Capsule and AirPorts that no one else knows.


Go back into AirPort Utility, click the Wireless tab, then click the Wireless Options button and change the Channel setting for 5 GHz to one of the lower settings........36, 40, 44 or 48 then Update to save the setting that you choose.


The Time Capsule is a simultaneous dual band wireless router, so it is producing both a 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz signal using the same wireless network name.


When your Mac is close to the Time Capsule, it will probably connect at 5 GHz. If the Mac moves a room or two away, it will connect at 2.4 GHz. You don't have to worry about this, just leave it alone.


Spend a few minutes to check and see if things are working better now. Post back when you can.

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User profile for user: Bob Timmons
Bob Timmons
User level: Level 10
185,138 points

Dec 4, 2018 2:20 PM in response to sporry

I may try putting the time capsule next to the modem/router, and set up 2 different networks. One for the modem/router alone, and another network with a different name for the rest of the house.

The Time Capsule does not necessarily need to be located next to the modem/router.....it can be located anywhere that you wish.


If it were me, I would locate the Time Capsule in the area where you will need WiFi most of the time, since the AirPort Express devices will deliver only a fraction of the wireless performance of the Time Capsule.


If you do decide to locate the Time Capsule near the modem/router, try to keep the devices at least about a yard or one meter apart, since there will likely be wireless interference effects if the devices are close to one another.


I take it that you have not contacted LaPastenague about possibly changing the Country Code of the Time Capsule. That may.....or may not....continue to cause issues.

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Setting up an extended wireless network

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