I have a question about the viability of incorporating an Airport Express (solely as an access point) into an Airport Extreme (5th generation MC340LL/A) WiFi, WAP2 network in a 2-level condo where my Airport Extreme can wirelessly support (full WiFi bars) opposite corners on different floors. iStumbler, however, shows a lot of neighborhood, WiFi noise exists in the area.
My Airport Extreme (ethernet connected to my Comcast modem) is located in my living room. My MBP is located in my home office on the 2d floor, opposite end from my 1st floor Airport Extreme. Line-of-sight the WiFi signal travels through a stairway (construction materials most likely typical of wooden structure condo), albeit only about 40 ft distance or so.
However, I’m finding my 2d floor internet, WiFi speed (to/from my MBP) is dramatically diminished from what I get within my living room.
For context, here are my various, tested download speeds:
- MBP ethernet connected to my living room AE: 55+ Mbps down; 12+ Mbps up.
- WiFi (using my iPhone 5 as well as my new 6) tested (Ookla app for Speedtest.com) in the living room: 27+ Mbps down; 11+ Mbps up.
- WiFi (using my MBP with left-side, which is where antenna is located, directionally facing toward my Extreme & getting full bars in the WiFi Finder icon) tested (Safari on Speedtest.com) from my 2d floor opposite end of my condo: half or less than WiFi results from living room.
So, would an Airport Express (WiFi connected to my 1st floor Airport Extreme, but ethernet connected to my 2d floor, MBP) be effective in improving internet speeds for my MBP in this relatively small floor plan?
