Hey all,

I've googled my bum off, but can't find a satisfactory answer to my issue.

Gear wise, I've got an Optus ADSL 2+ modem, Airport Extreme and Airport Express.

We have way too many devices - brand new 13 inch MBP, 15 inch MB (2 years old) which are both N, a G5 cabled to the Extreme, 2 iPhones (though we tend to use 3G as we find its as fast). So broadcasting in G/N.

Both Express and Extreme are less than 12 months old, and hence both N capable, and I believe the Extreme is a dual broadcasting model.

We've recently moved the Extreme from 2nd floor middle of the house, to the other end. The Express is located in our lounge room, providing a cable connection to our xBox 360.

We've also got a Topfield 7100 box connected via G (I believe - can't find any intel as to whether or not its N).

Since we've moved the Extreme, the reception in our lounge room (where the Express is) has dropped to 2 bars on my new MBP, while wifey has full bars.

So I had a look in the Airport Utility for the Express, and the Express was set up to join the wireless network. Easy, I think, switch it to 'extend' and reception issues go away.

Yep - true.

Bad thing? The transmission speed has dropped by 600% according to internet speed tests. Remove the AE, and we're right back up there.

Bug? Design fault? Design feature?

Without the AE as an extender, the Topfield can't find the network.

So very close to network nirvana - any tips?

Judging by this, it's clear that the airport express is slowing down the network due to forcing the airport extreme to operate in 'g' mode.

If the airport extreme is dual band, then in airport utility, there is an option to create a wireless network. Then i think there is an advanced option or something. Sorry, don't have it in-front of me. Basically you need to tick something to make a separate 5ghz network, and you have to name it differently from your 'g' network.

By doing this, you should still be able to extend the range of your 'g' network with the airport express. While your 'n' capable devices will be able to join directly to the airport extreme separate 'n' network and work at full speed.

I've got a somewhat similar configuration at home; couple of macbooks, mac mini HTPC, iPhone 3G, iPod touch, Wii (802.11g). Airport Extreme and Airport Express. So an annoying mix of g and n devices.

Your problem is that a 'g' device extending an 'n' network will slow the overall speed of the network to 'g' speeds whenever one of those devices is joined to it.

My solution was to form two distinct networks (easily named for differentiation) using the AExtreme for the (n) and AExpress for the (g), and join the networks together by cabling the AExpress to the AExtreme.

In the Airport Utility you need to make sure your Extreme's Radio Mode is set to "802.11n only (5GHz)". Your Express's Radio Mode setting doesn't really matter. Both devices set to "Create wireless network" Wireless Mode (so making different networks).

Your reception issues are probably going away because you're "extending" your network, or effectively, increasing its range. With two distinct networks that problem might return so maybe have to purchase more AExpress to extend whichever radio network you're having trouble with.

Hey guys,

Thanks for your responses, but I've just done another test with the AExtreme & AExpress both set to 'n' only mode, and once again, when the AExpress is set to extend, transfer and internet speeds go down the toilet.

I think I'll just leave it the way it is on 'join' and hope that even though I've only got two bars in the lounge room that it will hang in there.

re: Nathan H - I'm sure mine is the dual band Extreme, but I can only see Radio Mode - 802.1n (b/g compatible). Can't see an option to set up two separate networks just from the Extreme.

@ Mark - I can't really cable the Express and Extreme as they're in different ends of the house, and the Express is used for audio and sending net to the xBox. I really hope I don't have to buy another Express - the house a solid brick but really small terrace in inner Melbourne.

Grrr.

You can expect to take a ~50% speed drop in extend mode.

In your original setup it was Internet -> Extreme <-> Laptop

Now you have Internet -> Extreme <-> Express <-> Laptop.

The lag is caused by the extra section in bold. The Express has to receive the requests from the laptop, then pass them onto the Extreme. Once the Extreme gets these requests it lets the Express know. It is this back and forth communication that is slowing you down.