Extending iPhone Hotspot using Airport Extreme

[n8nu]

Has anyone been able to connect an Airport Extreme to the wireless hotspot on the iPhone?

I have some wired ethernet products that need internet access.

 

[Intell]

The Extreme does not have a "join" mode and the iPhone does not have the capability to have its WiFi network extended. Try using an Express to "join" the network and using it as a bridge.

 

[n8nu]

So 'joining' not the same as extended?

I also have an Express and yes, it saw the iPhone.

Very cool - thanks

 

[Intell]

It appears that it should...

It will list other wifi networks, but not my iPhone 4.

It can only extend other Apple Airport Extreme, Express, and Time Capsule networks because only they support Apple's version of WDS.

 

[waw74]

So 'joining' not the same as extended?

no

joining: express connects to the existing wifi, giving you access to the audio jack for airplay, and the USB port for printer sharing.
also if one of the N versions, will let you connect something to the ethernet jack that that will then be connected to your wireless network, useful for gaming consoles and such

extend: express connects to the existing wifi, and repeats it out. used for when you signal doesn't reach as far as you need it to.
also gives you access to airplay, printer, and lets you connect stuff to the ethernet port
when extending, you will see a drop in speed in the devices connected to the remote repeaters, as they have to use half the bandwidth to talk to your computer, and half to the main base.

because of the speed drop, if you don't need the range extension, don't use it.

 

[Intell]

Here's something I just discovered, if you hold down the Option key and open the Wireless mode for the Extreme, it'll give you the option of "join" mode so you can join your iPhone's WiFi network. It should bridge the connections.

 

[nebo1ss]

It can only extend other Apple Airport Extreme, Express, and Time Capsule networks because only they support Apple's version of WDS.

I assume you realize from your post six that this information is not correct. The extreme is not limited to extending apple networks. I have used it successfully with at least two other products to extend the wireless network.

 

[Intell]

I assume you realize from your post six that this information is not correct. The extreme is not limited to extending apple networks. I have used it successfully with at least two other products to extend the wireless network.

It doesn't have a "join" mode by default. Just like it doesn't have WEP security of WDS mode by default. There are a few other rare network devices that have implemented Apple's WDS schema, but the performance isn't as good as it is with all Airport devices and it isn't very stable either.

 

[n8nu]

Here's something I just discovered, if you hold down the Option key and open the Wireless mode for the Extreme, it'll give you the option of "join" mode so you can join your iPhone's WiFi network. It should bridge the connections.

Sweet!! It works!!

 

[innominato5090]

also if one of the N versions, will let you connect something to the ethernet jack that that will then be connected to your wireless network, useful for gaming consoles and such

works like this also on the "g" model.

 

[nashmills]

Here's something I just discovered, if you hold down the Option key and open the Wireless mode for the Extreme, it'll give you the option of "join" mode so you can join your iPhone's WiFi network. It should bridge the connections.

Does this still work with the latest Airport Utility and firmware? I can't seem to find this option but I may be looking in the wrong place.

 

[Intell]

Does this still work with the latest Airport Utility and firmware? I can't seem to find this option but I may be looking in the wrong place.

Yes, but not for the awfullly redesigned Airport Utility 6.X.

 

[barracuda156]

Yes, but not for the awfullly redesigned Airport Utility 6.X.

Which Mac OS would I need for this to work?