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Apple Airport Express Setup
Tech

Connect: Airport Express with Airport Extreme to Improve Wireless Networks

Apple has made Apple Airport Express setup possible by using one or more than one Airport Express wireless access points (WAPs). On the other hand, a single Apple Airport Extreme (a capable small-office router) is not capable of providing complete network coverage in a small office/home office (SOHO) area.

Airport Express WAPs can broadcast data at 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz frequencies at the same time with a dual-band performance of 802.11n Wi-Fi. The 2.4 GHz ‘g’ networks possess a better range. On the other side, the 5GHz ‘n’ networks own a shorter range of functioning but they have a more upgraded throughput of data.

Which Network should you prefer?

On the basis of your current location and the work you are doing, you can use them both and choose the best network. Sometimes ‘g’ networks are helpful enough when you are much away from the wireless access point (WAP) because 2.4 GHz is faster than an Internet Service Provider’s (ISP’s) standard internet speed. Sometimes the ‘n’ networks are a good choice as it increases the speed in transferring files like uploading a bunch of images to the cloud.

The Airport Express can function as an unconventional device if you can arrange it without cables. This connects your computers without cables to your internet modem and other interconnected devices.

The elaborate methods given below will help you to know the technique for Apple Airport Extreme setup to extend your existing Airport Extreme-controlled network by the use of an Airport Express.

Setup Ethernet AirPort Express for Wi-Fi Extension

You can link your Apple Airport Express to the operating network with the support of an Ethernet Cable if you have an AirPort extreme or an Airport Express as the base router. The Airport Express has an Ethernet WAN port as well as an Ethernet LAN port. The Ethernet WAN port can be used to connect your Express to the existing network by arranging your Airport Express for working in Bridge Mode by the use of Airport Utility’s Network tab).

You can even use an Ethernet adapter to connect Airport Express to an Airport Extreme to switch network with an Apple TV or any other devices.

Step-1:

To connect by Ethernet get an Airport Express and connect its WAN port to the LAN port of the primary router. After you connect the devices successfully, turn on the devices.

Step-2:

The next thing you do is open the Airport utility on a device (here, a computer). To do this on a Mac click on ‘Go’, then click on ‘Applications’ and then choose the ‘Utilities’ folder. On a Windows-based PC, click on the Start menu. Click on Program and then choose ‘Airport’.

Step-3:

Launch the program. First, connect to the primary router with a wired Ethernet cable. In the ‘Utilities’ / Airport utility window, click on ‘Connection sharing’. A drop-down menu appears. From the drop-down menu select ‘Share a Public IP Address’.

Step-4:

The next step is cutting the connection from this router and connect to the secondary router which you want to use as the extender. In the Airport utility, set ‘Connection sharing’ to ‘Off (bridge mode)’. This shows that the device will transfer traffic to the primary Airport device. You have to be confirmed about the name of the network, network privacy, and security settings, and the password you put is already set to the same settings on the secondary device as on the primary device. After completing this click on ‘Update’.

Way to structure Airport Express for Wi-Fi Extension

If you are unable to connect the routers with an ethernet cable, you can do the same via Wi-Fi. Here are the steps for Apple Airport Express setup.

Step-1:

Plug both the devices in your required places. Connect your primary router with your Internet modem and turn on both devices.

Step-2:

The next step is going to the Airport utility on your computer. If you are a Mac user, you will get this program by clicking ‘Go’, followed by ‘Applications’ and then click on the ‘Utilities’ folder. In case you are a windows user, you need to click on the ‘Start’ button and then click ‘Programs’ followed by ‘AirPort’.

Step-3:

In the setup program, connect to the primary router keeping the Apple AirPort setup tool open. Then, click on ‘Manual setup’ and enter your password if the network is secured. Click on ‘Airport’. Next, click on ‘wireless’ followed by ‘Create a Wireless Network’. Look over the box showing ‘Allow This Network to be Extended’. Confirm by entering the coveted network name.

To protect your network, click on ‘Wireless Security’ and then choose ‘WPA2 Personal. Type a password from eight to sixty-three characters. Now, from ‘Radio Channel Selection’, click on ‘Automatic. And finally, click on ‘Update’.

Step-4:

The next thing you need to do is connecting to your secondary router with the help of ‘Base Station Chooser’ from the setup program. Choose ‘Manual Setup followed by ‘Airport’ and then click on ‘Wireless’. Go for ‘Extend a Wireless program’ from the ‘Wireless Mode’ menu. Choose the network name that you have assigned before. Type the password if you have secured your account. Then, click on ‘Update’.

You have to adjust your devices as per your requirement of how much your network strength you want while using your computer.

Thus you will be able to set up Airport Express to extend the wireless network.

Let us know

I hope this set of steps for Apple Airport Express setup was beneficial enough to add your Airport Express to an Airport Extreme to boost wireless networks.

Give us feedback in the comment box down below if these steps fulfilled your requirements. If not, immediately contact an Apple AirPort professional to get rid of your flaws.