Problems connecting two Airport Express Routers in Home network!

[drsox]

From what you say I think there are two problems. One is methodology. The other is the actual problem.

I think there is a problem in validating what does and doesn't work at your client's location.
Are you able to setup just a simple LAN config in the basement location and test that ? (Step 1) ?
Are you then able to add a LAN connected additional device at the office location and then test that also (Step 1 + 1 office located device = Step 2) ?

This will test whether the LAN works OK.

Then add a WiFi device at the basement location and test that (Step 3).
Then add a WiFi device at the office location and test that (Step 4).

This will test whether WiFi works OK.

There has to be something in the setup of your client's house that is preventing the combined config. working properly. If you can follow these steps then it might be flushed out.

Re SSID. The advantage in using the same SSID is that a wireless device (Ipad, iPhone) can be carried between locations without any problems in logging into the 2 different AEs. If this isn't useful, then try different SSIDs. Also, if the iPxxx device has both SSIDs setup as known networks, then it will be able to connect to each - it will just take a bit longer to make the switch.

 

[nosarrra]

DrSox,

Hoping you can help me trouble shoot. I have 2 Airport Extremes connected via Ethernet. Everything has been working fine, until I ran a firmware update yesterday. It reconfigured the settings, and now I can not remember exactly how they were set up previously. I tried setting them both up exactly the same way, as Create a Wireless Network. SSID and Password are exactly the same. I have enabled a guest network too, exactly the same, on both Extremes. Both are set to Internet Connect through Ethernet, Ethernet WAN port Automatic. Connection sharing Share a Public IP Address. On the extended AE (not the one connected to the cable modem) I get 4 errors:
1. Internet Connection: Your Apple WiFi Base Station does not have a valid IP address
2. No DNS Servers: This Apple WiFi Base Station does not have any valid DNS server access
3. Conflicting DHCP Range: This Apple WiFi Base Station rejected a DHCP address in the same subnet as its internal DHCP server. Switch to Bridge Mode.
4. Guest Network: This Apple WiFi Base Station rejected a DHCP address in the same subnet as its internal DHCP server for the Guest Network. You should change the DHCP server range for the guest network.

I'm almost positive that last time I did not have it set up in Bridge mode, and definitely did not set different DHCP ranges for the to AEs. I'm sure this is a simple setting I have incorrect, but I can't figure out what. Your help is greatly appreciated.

Thanks

 

[drsox]

DrSox,

Hoping you can help me trouble shoot. I have 2 Airport Extremes connected via Ethernet. Everything has been working fine, until I ran a firmware update yesterday. It reconfigured the settings, and now I can not remember exactly how they were set up previously. I tried setting them both up exactly the same way, as Create a Wireless Network. SSID and Password are exactly the same. I have enabled a guest network too, exactly the same, on both Extremes. Both are set to Internet Connect through Ethernet, Ethernet WAN port Automatic. Connection sharing Share a Public IP Address. On the extended AE (not the one connected to the cable modem) I get 4 errors:
1. Internet Connection: Your Apple WiFi Base Station does not have a valid IP address
2. No DNS Servers: This Apple WiFi Base Station does not have any valid DNS server access
3. Conflicting DHCP Range: This Apple WiFi Base Station rejected a DHCP address in the same subnet as its internal DHCP server. Switch to Bridge Mode.
4. Guest Network: This Apple WiFi Base Station rejected a DHCP address in the same subnet as its internal DHCP server for the Guest Network. You should change the DHCP server range for the guest network.

I'm almost positive that last time I did not have it set up in Bridge mode, and definitely did not set different DHCP ranges for the to AEs. I'm sure this is a simple setting I have incorrect, but I can't figure out what. Your help is greatly appreciated.

Thanks

I've just seen your post. If you quote something rather than just posting, then it will be flagged by the forum and I'll see it sooner.

OK. Here's what I suggest. Before you do anything, power cycle the Primary AE and then the Secondary AE.

Here's the settings for the Secondary AE (the one not connected to the Modem)

Internet>Connect Using : DHCP
Wireless>Network Mode : Create a wireless network - then use exactly the same settings as use for the Primary AE
Network>Router Mode : Off (Bridge Mode)

This will give you a roaming network where your WiFi devices will be able to connect to either of the two AEs within range. The DHCP setting will allow the Secondary AE to get an IP address from the Primary AE.

I'm assuming that the Primary AE works OK, but just in case here's my Primary AE settings

Internet>Connect Using : PPPoE (my ISP)
Wireless>Network Mode : Create a wireless network
Network>Router Mode> DHCP and NAT

Make sure you set the DHCP range to be what you had before. If you don't know it, then pick one and then Power Cycle EVERY connected equipment in the order Modem>Primary AE>Switches>Secondary AE>Wired Equipment>Wireless Equipment. This will give everything a new IP address.

I don't use Guest networks so I can't help with that but if the basics are OK and the Guest network worked last time, then it should be OK again.

 

[nosarrra]

I've just seen your post. If you quote something rather than just posting, then it will be flagged by the forum and I'll see it sooner.

OK. Here's what I suggest. Before you do anything, power cycle the Primary AE and then the Secondary AE.

Here's the settings for the Secondary AE (the one not connected to the Modem)

Internet>Connect Using : DHCP
Wireless>Network Mode : Create a wireless network - then use exactly the same settings as use for the Primary AE
Network>Router Mode : Off (Bridge Mode)

This will give you a roaming network where your WiFi devices will be able to connect to either of the two AEs within range. The DHCP setting will allow the Secondary AE to get an IP address from the Primary AE.

I'm assuming that the Primary AE works OK, but just in case here's my Primary AE settings

Internet>Connect Using : PPPoE (my ISP)
Wireless>Network Mode : Create a wireless network
Network>Router Mode> DHCP and NAT

Make sure you set the DHCP range to be what you had before. If you don't know it, then pick one and then Power Cycle EVERY connected equipment in the order Modem>Primary AE>Switches>Secondary AE>Wired Equipment>Wireless Equipment. This will give everything a new IP address.

I don't use Guest networks so I can't help with that but if the basics are OK and the Guest network worked last time, then it should be OK again.

Thanks. That worked. I was pretty sure I did not have Bridge mode enabled, but I guess I actually did. Also, for the main AE, I have it set to Ethernet, as opposed to PPPoE, but there was no problem there, so I left it. Thanks again.

 

[drsox]

Thanks. That worked. I was pretty sure I did not have Bridge mode enabled, but I guess I actually did. Also, for the main AE, I have it set to Ethernet, as opposed to PPPoE, but there was no problem there, so I left it. Thanks again.

Great. As to the Internet settings on the main AE, that depends on what your ISP wants. Mine is PPPoE - if your's is Ethernet then fine, but just check with them to make sure.