[hanguolaohu]

I am having trouble with my Time Capsule's wireless range. I am not a networking expert by any means. I own an old building that is 4 stories connected by stairs with thick walls. All the rooms ethernet cables converge in a cubby on the 3rd floor. I placed my Time Capsule in the cubby, but I couldn't receive a wireless signal from the 1st floor. This is ironic because I have an old Netgear G router that sends signals throughout all 4 floors. So I bought an Airport Express to extend my network wirelessly, but the signal has been unstable perhaps because the Time Capsule's wireless signal is too weak. So I want to connect the Airport Express on the 1st floor using the Ethernet link from the 3rd floor Time Capsule which is my main router. From my research, I discovered about WDS networks, which I believe you have to use in order to create a network with multiple Apple base stations linked through ethernet.

I called Applecare who told me:
-To connect from Time Capsule to Airport Express using Ethernet, must use WDS network. Setup Airport Express as Relay, NOT Remote.
-Relay- Direct ethernet connection from Time Capsule to Airport Express, then wireless connection from Airport Express to Macbook.
-Remote- Wireless signal from Time Capsule to Airport Express, then direct Ethernet connection from Airport Express to Macbook

I have several questions for you wise people out there:

1. To extend the Time Capsule wireless network using the Airport Express, but connected directly via ethernet, do I need to setup a WDS network?

2. I prefer to just use the simple Apple settings "extend network wirelessly". Will this setting only boost a wireless signal received from the Time Capsule? Can it not extend a wireless signal sent directly from Ethernet?

3. I'm considering getting a Quickertek Triband antenna to place outside the cubby. Anyone have any experience with Airport external antennas?:
http://www.quickertek.com/products/t...uletriband.php

Any information would be much appreciated! These networking issues have been giving me months of headache.

Thank you!
Alexander

Specs:
Apple Time Capsule 1TB
Airport Express N version
Connected with 2.4ghz. band to N capable Macs.

[Simon]

Originally Posted by hanguolaohu 

1. To extend the Time Capsule wireless network using the Airport Express, but connected directly via ethernet, do I need to setup a WDS network?

No. You only need WDS to extend over wifi. You connect the APExp to the TC through Ethernet plugged into one of the TC's LAN ports. You then set up the APExp to host a wireless network with the same name. Make sure it is configured as a bridge, IOW no DHCP, no NAT. Let the TC do that.

2. I prefer to just use the simple Apple settings "extend network wirelessly". Will this setting only boost a wireless signal received from the Time Capsule? Can it not extend a wireless signal sent directly from Ethernet?

That setting activates WDS on your TC. It will allow other wifi clients to act as WDS relays/remotes on the TC's wifi network.

If you connect the APExp through Ethernet to the TC you don't need WDS.

[Ted L. Nancy]

Originally Posted by hanguolaohu 

3. I'm considering getting a Quickertek Triband antenna to place outside the cubby. Anyone have any experience with Airport external antennas?:
http://www.quickertek.com/products/t...uletriband.php

I've never had any luck with antennas and Apple wireless devices. I've not tried that specific brand/model. I've heard good things about that brand, but at the cost, I've always figured adding a Express would be a more compatible solution.

Originally Posted by hanguolaohu 

These networking issues have been giving me months of headache.

Club membership is $50/mo.