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I bought the former Express (.11n) to extend my network via wireless from my Time Capsule, but it didn't quite work that way. I was told it has to be plugged into the Time Capsule using ethernet in order for it to extend the network, which isn't what I took from this article.

How about an article with some tips for optimizing an Airport-based (1TB Time Capsule here when the options were 500MB or 1TB, right before they offered 2TB) network for Macs and iOS devices.

This would be very helpful, since I recently moved from a single-story home into a two-story home. I have my Time Capsule placed in what is basically the dead center of the main floor. My bedroom is directly above, and it's common for my iPhone 4S to not have full signal... Think of the old farm houses - a big square - is the main body of the house

Granted, this house is about 150 years old, with at least 8' ceilings, and the floors are pretty thick.

I want to upgrade my Time Capsule, but I'm waiting for 802.11ac - same for my iMac.

Redgeminipa,

You can extend the network wirelessly. You do not need to be plugged into the Time Capsule (although an option).

This video is pretty good;

redgeminipa, on 25 June 2012 - 04:14 AM, said:

redgeminipa, on 25 June 2012 - 04:14 AM, said:

I use an Express to extend my wifi network from a Time Capsule without and physical connection between them, so it's definitely possible. In the Airport Utility, go to the wireless settings, and select "Extend a Wireless Network" as the Network Mode. You'll need to supply the SSID and password (and maybe the security) of the network to be extended. It's doable from the new Client (v6.0+) as well as the older one.

For what it's worth, I use an older Airport Express for a 2-story, 4-bdrm house, and the range has always been more than adequate. The unit is in a corner bedroom on the 2nd floor, but the range reaches even the far corner of our basement.

whitewater2, on 25 June 2012 - 04:22 AM, said:

Thanks.

It's the reason I bought it, initially. It seemed to work that way for a while, but it seemed to make no difference after a while. I tried resetting it a couple of times. I'm starting to think there's something wrong with it.

It appears it's still packed away from moving. I'll have to try it again when I find it.

I'm curious what you mean by "Apple's AFP file-sharing typically peaks at much lower rates than these maximum data rates." Using wired networking I've gotten better than 70MB/s, wireless can't compete with that.

Anyone who needs to resort to online Apple Support should note that
http://support.apple.com/kb/ph5078 , and I suspect other Support pages on this topic, are mislabeled as applying to “Airport Utility 6.x”. It actually steps you through the very different (and more fully featured) AU 5.6.x. which isn't in Lion unless you have manually downloaded it. In fact, that Support page describes a feature that seems to be missing in 6.x. That feature is two quick ways to “Add Wireless Clients” without giving them your real network password.

Also note that the Support page was updated May 3, 2012, several months after AU 6.x became the default utility for Lion. (I would have noted all this right on a feedback link, but Apple isn't big on providing feedback links).

This post has been edited by Martian: 25 June 2012 - 05:47 AM

One feature that is highlighted in Apple's marketing materials for this device, is the guest network.

How is that done? Is it simply a separate SSID that is on an isolated subnet? Does this AirPort Express also support IEEE 802.1Q VLANs? Would it also be possible to use it to set up a captive portal?

If VLANs were supported, as well as captive portals, this AirPort Express would provide features that you would normally have to buy far more expensive devices in order to gain.

Nobody makes the router I want. Airport Express is almost there, but it's missing a crucial feature. I want a router that:
- is portable.
- 802.11n
- dual-band
- can connect to one wireless network (call is A), and make a new network (call it with NAT to connect clients on network B to network A.

Why do I want this? So when I go to hotels that only have WiFi, I can connect my MacBook, iPad, and iPhone to a fast, secure (relatively) WiFi network, separate from the hotels WiFi and Internet, but still have Internet connectivity.

dustinrueso6a, on 25 June 2012 - 05:38 AM, said:

He means AFP can be relatively inefficient. When using AFP on any network, you don't get close to the specified data rate of the network depending on what you are copying. AFP isn't too bad, but it does get bogged down when transferring a lot of small files instead of fewer large files. Notice you said you've gotten better than 70MB/s - but why not closer to 100-125MB/s that the wired connection supports.

hayesk, on 25 June 2012 - 05:47 AM, said:

What you describe is certainly possible. However, it would require a router with two separate WiFi radios. I'm not sure if I've encountered one that comes equipped like this.
There are WiFi Access Points that are capable of connecting to a WiFi network, such as the DrayTek Vigor AP 800. The limitation this has, is that it can't provide NAT. Maybe the DrayTek Vigor AP 800 connected to an AirPort Express? The Vigor connects to the hotel WiFi, and passes on the connection to the AirPort, which does NAT and shares the connection.

It's also possible to set up Internet sharing on a laptop equipped with a USB WiFi dongle plugged in to provide a second independent WiFi interface.

I have an Airport Extreme that works well but the signal is weak at the other end of the house. Can I plug in the new Express at the other end of the house to extend my wifi network? Thanks

Skyeman, on 25 June 2012 - 07:10 AM, said:

Yes.

You have two options. (Actually, three. But I'll try to keep it simple.)

Your options will depend on what you want to achieve, and the layout of your house.

Option 1 involves linking your AirPort Extreme to the AirPort Express with a network cable, and extending the network that way. This will give the overall best results, as you don't need to worry about interference with the WiFi signal between the two.

Option 2 is to use something called WDS, which lets the AirPort Express act as a booster for the signal from your AirPort Extreme. The advantage with this approach, is that you don't need to worry about cables.

(The third option is to use Ethernet over Power instead of a network cable. The downside with this, is that you need to buy the equipment that transmits the network signal through your electrical cables so that it can reach from one AirPort to the other.)