AirPort Express Base Station extend wifi by adding more?

Oceans12

hi folks, does anyone know if its possible to extend an apple wifi network by adding additional AirPort Express Base Station's? ie so that it shows as the one wifi network, and users automatically roam on to the closest one, and do not have to enter a password to connect to each wifi device?


thanks

CathalDublin

AFAIK yes you can, just select repeater mode when setting it up with the Airport utility software

120_Minutes

CathalDublin wrote: »

AFAIK yes you can, just select repeater mode when setting it up with the Airport utility software

so i can use one to extend a weak wifi area in my house?

culabula

Oceans12 wrote: »

hi folks, does anyone know if its possible to extend an apple wifi network by adding additional AirPort Express Base Station's? ie so that it shows as the one wifi network, and users automatically roam on to the closest one, and do not have to enter a password to connect to each wifi device?


thanks

As long as you have an -n specification model you can. Go into the wireless settings and tick "allow this network to be extended".

culabula

120_Minutes wrote: »

so i can use one to extend a weak wifi area in my house?

Sort of: the remote APX can only extend the signal it receives. So (like me) you will get 5 bars on your iPad once set up but the underlying quality of the data will still be strained.

I went out and bought the new APX instead. Sorted.

120_Minutes

so what you're saying is: disable the wifi on my ****ty b/g modem/router, plug 1 airport express into the ethernet of same modem/router and if my wifi improves well and good, and if not, buy a second express as both of them will be N (as is every other apple wifi device in my house) and work better together?

would an express not work as well repeating my current modem/router if i put it just on the fringe of my wifi area (where i still get full bars)

crosstownk

My old b/g Airport Extreme is connected to my Netopia router. The wireless is switched off on the Netopia. I also have an Airport Express (also b/g) that extends the same network. Same network, same password.

Having the same network is essential for using Airplay, the Remote App on my iPhone for accessing my iTunes library, controlling ATV, etc.

My Dad has the same Airport Extreme as I do but his Airport Express is b/g/n. It extends the network for him too but it was easier to set up.

culabula

120_Minutes wrote: »

so what you're saying is: disable the wifi on my ****ty b/g modem/router, plug 1 airport express into the ethernet of same modem/router and if my wifi improves well and good, and if not, buy a second express as both of them will be N (as is every other apple wifi device in my house) and work better together?

would an express not work as well repeating my current modem/router if i put it just on the fringe of my wifi area (where i still get full bars)

No, I'm not saying that exactly. I'm saying that were you to extend the network to a second APX, all it can do is extend the signal it receives. If the signal is weak in your bedroom and you install it there, you will continue to get a weak signal.

If however, you installed it near the bedroom, so that it is amplifying a more powerful signal and you then connect to that, you will reap the benefits.

120_Minutes

culabula wrote: »

If however, you installed it near the bedroom, so that it is amplifying a more powerful signal and you then connect to that, you will reap the benefits.

Thats what i said in my post, on the fringe, where i still get full signal. cool.

creativedrinker

Does anybody know, since the new one is dual band, are you able to then boost the two networks coming off your airport extreme at the Same time?

culabula

creativedrinker wrote: »

Does anybody know, since the new one is dual band, are you able to then boost the two networks coming off your airport extreme at the Same time?

I have one and I believe that is possible (though I am using that one as the host access point).

culabula

120_Minutes wrote: »

Thats what i said in my post, on the fringe, where i still get full signal. cool.

Yes, but to me "on the fringe" conveys an area of feeble coverage. I would make sure it's well within a quality signal area but at the same time not too far from your weak spot.