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Fusion · May 24, 2007, 02:07 PM

I have my Airport Express at home set up with WDS to relay the wireless signal coming from my Airport Extreme further around the house which works really great. The question I have however is that at work, I pick up a wireless signal coming from downstairs that I do not own and have no affiliation with or any way to configure it what-so-ever.

The problem is that I only get the signal in certain parts of the office building and I'm looking to move to a different office soon where I might not pick up the signal. Would it be possible to set up an Airport Express somewhere in the building where I know I get the signal and set it up to just relay the signal even further so I can be somewhere else in the office that doesn't get signal now but will then?

And just to clarify, this is for a wireless signal that I have no control over... I'm basically just looking to boost the signal without having control over the original signal.

Sherman Homan · May 24, 2007, 02:59 PM

Michigan man fined for using free Wi-Fi

Just sayin'

Fusion · May 25, 2007, 02:24 AM

Lol. I have authorization to use the Hot Spot, it's in the Realtor's office downstairs and is a public Hot Spot meant for public use in the building, BUT, it only goes so far. They of course are not willing to invest extra funds to make the signal stronger so I'm just trying to figure out a way that I can foot the bill and boost the signal so I can use it in certain corners of the office where the signal doesn't currently reach.

Simon · May 25, 2007, 04:21 AM

To set up a WDS remote/relay you need administrative access to the primary access point. Without that you can't set up your own private AP Express as a relay.

Sherman Homan · May 25, 2007, 05:35 AM

Simon is right, the ability to repeat a wireless signal starts with turning on the WDS function on the primary and then telling it to use your Express as the secondary. That doesn't involve losing any functionality for your realtor, there is no real down side for them, certainly no cost. You just have to ask!

ghporter · May 25, 2007, 05:38 AM

As Sherman points out, it's just WRONG not to ask permission to use someone else's wireless network. It can get you into trouble, and at the least if the owner finds out and isn't happy, they may put security in place to lock you out and make your efforts to "expand" their coverage futile.

WDS is pretty much the way to go. And it works pretty well, particularly when it's used on the same brand hardware throughout-some makers have something like WDS that isn't exactly the same, and it won't really work properly with other brands of hardware.

Fusion · May 26, 2007, 09:56 AM

You guys are completely misunderstanding... wow. I HAVE permission. I'm friends with them and they are more than happy to share their internet connection, it's why it's set up in the first place. It's not their main corporate connection, it's an actual public hot spot they set up for clients and other people in the building to use on their dime as part of their customer service.

I understand that setting up a WDS would be the best way to go, as I mentioned, that's how I have it set up at home. I also understand it wouldn't loose any functionality. What you're not understanding is that it's a national corporation and their networks are set up by some regional IT guy who certainly isn't going to make a "house call" so he can come mess with the router to add functionality for someone else, what a waste of his time that would be.

I wasn't wanting to get into a discussion of the ethics of using other people's wireless connections... this is silly. Thank you for answering my question though, I guess the only option then is if I really need the connection is to buy a high-powered antenna or just use my VZ Broadband Access.

Cheers

chabig · May 27, 2007, 07:46 AM

You can do it with 2 Airport Expresses, connected by an ethernet cable. One would be a bridge and the other would be set up as an access point.

Fusion · May 31, 2007, 08:54 PM

chabig, thanks so much for the answer, I knew it had to be possible! So if I am understanding you right, I have one of the AE's connected to wireless network and then set to share that connection by ethernet, and then then other express is set to take that ethernet connection and turn it into a different wireless network by using it as an access point?

Cheers!

chabig · May 31, 2007, 09:52 PM

That's exactly right. It will work.

Fusion · Jun 1, 2007, 02:57 AM

Thanks again.. and one last question... can the AE act as a bridge. I know the Airport Extreme can because it has a LAN port for connecting computers but the Express only has one Ethernet that I thought could only be used for an incomming connection. Is it possible on the Express to set the ethernet as the outgoing connection?

chabig · Jun 1, 2007, 07:20 AM

Good question. I'm not sure now.

I use one for this very purpose (as a bridge) but I have it set up to use WDS with my Airport Extreme base station. I don't think it can be a bridge with any other model of access point, only Apple's.

Before I got the Extreme Base station, I used a third-party wireless bridge. That might be your best best--get a product that is actually sold as a wireless bridge and connect it to your Airport Express.

Chris

Fusion · Jun 1, 2007, 04:10 PM

Thanks for all your help Chris, I'll keep my eye for a good cheap one and try it out!

Cheers