airport express bridge mode

[networking.2]

Please see diagram.

This setup hasn't worked ever since I put in the "Airport Express 1". Before, I had an old D-Link bridge in its place and everything worked smoothly.

However, with the replacement of this new device, my Airport Express 2 gets horrible wireless throughout. It dropped from 25-40 mbps to 7-8mbps. The strange thing is that I in addition to serving as an AP, I also have a computer plugged into "Airport Express 2" and that wired connection has not been affected by this change.

When I put the old D-Link bridge in there, everything works fine again. Any ideas on what might be causing the strange wireless performance issue?

 

[thiggins]

why did you add the new AirPort Express?

You need to provide details on the settings of each device, i.e. SSID's, modes, channels.

 

[networking.2]

why did you add the new AirPort Express?

You need to provide details on the settings of each device, i.e. SSID's, modes, channels.

Here's a more comprehensive diagram. I replace the old network bridge because it was the bottleneck in my performance.

 

[thiggins]

Why do you have two Airport Expresses? Why not just one and set it to extend network (bridge+repeat) mode?

 

[networking.2]

Why do you have two Airport Expresses? Why not just one and set it to extend network (bridge+repeat) mode?

the two airport expresses are in different rooms connected via a ethernet cable.

I can't run ethernet directly to the second airport express, so I go wireless from Time Capsule to 1st Airport Express

And then wired ethernet from 1st Airport Express to 2nd.

 

[thiggins]

Sorry, I don't understand your reply. You need only one AirPort express set to Extend network mode. That will establish a bridge back to the Time Capsule, provide Ethernet connection to your HTPC and repeat the wireless signal.

 

[networking.2]

The wireless signal of my TimeCapsule won't reach Airport Express 2. It is too far away.

So I placed another Airport Express (1), closer to the TimeCapsule and linked the two airport expresses via ethernet.

 

[thiggins]

I follow now.

What were the settings on the D-Link bridge? What model is it?

To get 802.11n link rates the wireless bridge needs to be either no encryption or WPA2/AES. Anything else will limit you to 802.11g max link rate (54 Mbps).

Since you are using auto channel, you may be using a channel with a lot of neighboring traffic. Airport Express 2 should also be using a different channel or band than the Time Capsule network. Otherwise you are competing for bandwidth.

 

[thetoad30]

Please see: http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4260

This will probably do exactly what you want, and might help cut down on the amount that your wireless signals degrade.

Take a look and see.

I can't be sure, but you might have the bridge mode on the wrong Express. I always thought that you should bridge the first wireless, and extend the second. But, again, I haven't looked in so long on my Apple routers to be confident in this.

 

[sfx2000]

Just a quick note - tinkering a bit with my system...

On the Time Capsule - ensure that "Allow this network to be extended" is not checked - this is important - Note the SSID and WPA2 password - set the 2.4Ghz/5Ghz channels appropriately (for example 1/149) - don't use automatic here for now...

On Airport Express 1 - set it to "Join a wireless network" - attach it to the SSID of the TimeCapsule (in your example "Home_1" - under Internet, allow it to grab a DHCP address. By setting it up this way, it's a Wireless client only, and will not be a wireless AP - btw - if this is a 2012 edition, both ethernet ports are hot and can be used

(this is an Airport Express thing, Airport Extreme's can extend, but cannot be client mode for the current models)

On Airport Express 2 - connect it to Airport Express 1 via Ethernet - under Internet, allow it to grab DHCP address, under wireless, Create a Wireless Network, assign it your second SSID "Home_2" assign unique channels (for example 11/161) - under "Network" - router mode should be set to "Off (Bridge Mode)" - this will allow Wireless clients attached to AP2 to get DHCP address and routing info from the Time Capsule box.

Should note that TimeCapsule and guest networks cannot be extended in any way, only from the home/primary AP...

You should be good to go - might have to walk around with a laptop and ethernet cable to set the Airports up...

hope this helps