What wireless router am I on?

[Mac1337]

I have a "main" wireless router made by SMC that is in the basement. I plugged in an AE router on the first floor and configured it to "join" an existing network, namely SMC. My understanding is that the AE is now acting as a repeater or access point. Airport shows I am on SMC but which one? The fact that I don't have full bars tells me I am still on the SMC in the basement but that was not my intent.

[freeradical]

If you type in the IP address of your router (such as 192.168.2.1), you should get information that helps you out. On my setup, I get the MAC address of the router, as well as the WAN IP, default gateway, DNS address etc. You should only get this info from the router that's connecting to the world.

[rgG]

An AE ( I assume you mean Airport Express) can extend the range (WDS mode) of another Apple router, like an Airport Extreme, but it will not extend the range of just any other router.

Question: Can AirPort Express wirelessly extend ("repeat" or "rebroadcast" ) the network of a third-party access point?

Answer: No. But it can wirelessly extend the range of a WDS network that is being hosted by an AirPort Extreme Base Station or another AirPort Express.

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1515?viewlocale=en_US#1

[Mac1337]

Thanks, I didn't know that. But what does it mean when it "joins" a network?

[rgG]

Dakota wrote:
Thanks, I didn't know that. But what does it mean when it "joins" a network?

It is probably connecting in "client mode." Here is an Apple Support doc that explains what that is.

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT2272

AirPort Express can function as a full-fledged wireless access point, or it can join an existing network just to offer its wireless print server and audio features. When AirPort Express does that, it is in "client mode."

In client mode AirPort Express does not offer itself as a wireless access point or use its Ethernet port. As a wireless client, AirPort Express is simply a destination for AirTunes and print jobs. It can join both 802.11b and 802.11g networks, including those using security features such as WEP and WPA-PSK.

[M A V I C]

Well, if this was a Windows box you were connecting with, the answer in help documentation says to contact your network administrator.

Doesn't answer your problem, I know. I'm just trying to cheer you up. A wireless router needs two antennas and the ability to control them independently for it to act as a repeater. You could plug another router into the ethernet port on the AE and use it as an extender.

[rgG]

M A V I C wrote:
You could plug another router into the ethernet port on the AE and use it as an extender.

That won't work either, if the AE is in client mode, as the Ethernet port is not usable:

In client mode AirPort Express does not offer itself as a wireless access point or use its Ethernet port. As a wireless client, AirPort Express is simply a destination for AirTunes and print jobs.

[M A V I C]

That sucks. Why don't they just disable all the ports and make it completely useless altogether?

[rgG]

M A V I C wrote:
That sucks. Why don't they just disable all the ports and make it completely useless altogether?

It works great IF it is used with another Apple router. You can use the Ethernet as an "out" port when the AExpress is used in WDS mode, that is what I do for my Dish DVR, or you can use the Ethernet port as an "in" port if the AE is just being a router. It is a great little device, but it is only compatible with Apple, and maybe a select few other, routers. As you know, Apple has a long history of Apple stuff only working really well with other Apple stuff.