My WRT54g is version 8 with firmware 8.00.5
My AirPort Extreme has version 5.7
I am running Leopard.

First off, I can confirm that no matter what I tried, WPA encryption settings will NOT work in my case. Once I switched my Linksys to 128-bit WEP, it worked flawlessly.

No setup required for the Linksys as you say in your article.

Instructions for latest AirPort Extreme Setup Utility:

Wireless Mode: Participate in a WDS network
Radio Mode: same as linksys
Channel: same as linksys
Wireless Security: WEP 128 bit
Wireless Password: same as first 26-digit HEX key

WDS Mode: WDS remote
Allow wireless clients is checked (probably works without too)
WDS Main: wireless MAC address of Linksys

I just wish I wouldn’t have wasted a day trying to get this to work with WPA. WEP128 will have to suffice.

Thanks everyone!

After many hours working, I managed to get a steady green light on the AE, but after its updating it could not be detected in the network.

Is there a set of istructions I can follow?

My router is Linksys WRT54G v.3 and I got the 08 version of AX.

I chose “Participate in WDS network”

Set channel and encryption type the same.

Chose a 13 digit password and did the “Equivalent Network Password” function from the Base Station menu.

Entered the given HEX password into my routers Key 1 field and saved/updated the router with the new information.

Then basically what rishi says above.

Thanks alot to all the posters.

1. configure the setup with the WRT54G connected via ethernet to the AEX
2. use WEP (never WPA) 128bit
3. use the “WDS” mode on the new Airport Utility instead of “Create a Wireless Network”, and check “Extend existing Network”
4. after setting up and clicking “Update”, the WILL be a “WDS Error” with the amber light flashing…just let it run, it’ll turn out ok (with a green lighted AEX) in a few seconds.

Please read all the posts (especially the 2008 ones for those using the new AEX) to understand what’s going on, especially for newbies (like me!). Everything is practicaly spelled out. Thanks again to all who helped out, hope this helps others as well!!!

NEVER TYPE IN YOUR NETWORK SSID. Instead, pick the SSID from the list. The airport utility will then autosense the type of password that is needed, in my case 128 bit WEP. When I manually entered the SSID, all I got was the option of WEP TRANSITIONAL, which didn’t let me enter the appropriate password length, and probably messed up some other stuff.

Anyway, after a long day’s journey into night, I got this working. I have the AEX running in WDS mode, as a remote for my Linksys WRT54G v3. I have my xbox now hooked up to my network, and a great pipe for music to my stereo receiver.

There were a few moments when I wanted to throw the bloody thing out the window!!!

Things that helped:
- Complete setup with AEX connected to Linksys via ethernet
- Wireless Mode: Participate in WDS Network
- Select 13 digit password
- Obtain Equivalent network password from Base Statio drop down menu at top of screen (not in Airport Utility Window)
- Copy Equivalent network password and paste to Linksys router & update
- Obtain MAC address from Linksys STATUS Tab, WIRELESS - Sub Tab
- Type MAC address to WDS Tab WDS Main field in Aiport utility
- Select Allow Wireless clients
- Select WDS Remote or WDS Relay depending on your setup
- Add 13 digit password to your computer internet profile so it can connect to the internet
- Update settings in the in the Airport Utility
- Hold breath, wait a minute or two
- Disconnect from LAN and reconnect in desire location
- ENJOY!!!!!

dB

Thanks for the clear instructions - I was able to pick up an APEx for half-price…

wil

I kept reading Chris’ and DrTivoL’s posts over and over and I was pulling my hair out over WEP and WDS. The WEP Transitional Key thing threw me off in the AirPort Utility. But after reading about WEP Transitional, bingo, I finally understood.

1. On the Wireless Tab, select WEP Transitional, and pick a 13 digit key, and confirm.
2. Go the to menu item “Base Station” and select “Equivalent Network Password…”. Write down the hex key.
3. Go to the Linksys Router and under wireless security change the 128-bit key to the hex code that you just wrote down.
4. If you are running a Mac, reconnect to your Linksys Router using the 13-character password when prompted.
5. In AirPort Utility update the settings and let the APEx reboot.
6. Wait for it. At first the APEx will come back with amber and say “WDS Error”. But after a minute or two it magically turns green and all is right with the world.

I feel better. Thanks for the help!