Airport Express Setup: A Quick Guide To Hooking Up

The Apple AirPort Express is a small, white box designed to be simple to set up and use. It can be used as an Internet access point, a base station, or a repeater to extend the reach of an existing wireless network. The AirPort Express can also be used to play music through its stereo jack and has a USB port for connecting a printer. Setting up a typical network is straightforward, but the real fun comes when you explore its music functions.

How to connect an Apple AirPort Express to the internet

To connect an Apple AirPort Express to the internet, you'll need to connect an Ethernet cable from your DSL or cable modem to the AirPort. The AirPort doesn't ship with an Ethernet cable, so you'll need to buy one separately. If you're in a hotel room, you can connect the Ethernet cable in your room to the AirPort.

The AirPort Express can also work as a repeater to extend the reach of an existing wireless network. In this configuration, it can also make a printer hooked up to the secondary unit visible.

The AirPort Express can be set up in Bridge mode, where it connects to the main router (such as a Siemens router) to extend the signal. This can cut your throughput in half, but you're unlikely to notice in normal usage.

The AirPort Express also has a built-in power supply, so there are no cords to lose or tangle. It can be connected to stereo speakers using an analog mini jack connector or its optical, digital counterpart, although you'll need to buy the cord separately.

How to use a printer hooked up to an Airport Express unit

To use a printer hooked up to an Airport Express unit, you'll need to make sure that the printer and Airport Express are plugged in close to your Ethernet network hub or router. The Airport Express unit can work as a 'repeater' to extend the reach of an existing wireless network, so you can connect a printer to the secondary unit. You'll also need to make sure you have an Ethernet cable to connect the Airport Express to your DSL or cable modem. The Airport Express has a USB port, which is used for connecting a printer.

How to connect a stereo to an Airport Express

To connect a stereo to an Airport Express, you will need either an analog mini jack connector or its optical, digital counterpart. You will need to buy the cord separately as the Airport Express does not include one. Plug one end into the Airport Express and the other into your speakers.

The Airport Express can also be used as a repeater to extend the reach of an existing wireless network. In this configuration, it can play back any iTunes library through its 1/8" stereo jack; this function is called AirTunes. The Airport Express can also be used as a base station, connected to the internet via a cable modem.

The Airport Express has a built-in power supply, so there are no cords to lose or tangle. To set up your Airport Express as an internet access point, connect the Ethernet cable from your DSL or cable modem to the Airport Express. Note that this product does not ship with an Ethernet cable, so you will need to buy one separately if you don't already have one.

How to use an Airport Express as a 'repeater'

To use an Airport Express as a repeater, you'll need to set it up as a 'router hop'. This means that the Airport Express will act as a secondary router, extending the reach of your existing wireless network.

To do this, start by connecting the Ethernet cable from your DSL or cable modem to the Airport Express. You'll need to buy an Ethernet cable separately, as the Airport Express doesn't ship with one. Once you've connected the Ethernet cable, plug the other end into your modem.

Now, you'll need to set the Airport Express in Bridge mode. This will allow the Airport Express to relay the signal from your main router, extending the range of your wireless network.

Keep in mind that this "router hop" configuration may cut your throughput in half. However, in normal usage, you're unlikely to notice any significant impact on performance, especially if your main router is Wi-Fi N speed.

Additionally, the Airport Express can be used to play music from your iTunes library through its 1/8" stereo jack. This function is called AirTunes. To set this up, you'll need either an analog mini jack connector or its optical digital counterpart, which must be purchased separately. Plug one end into the Airport Express and the other into your speakers.

How to connect an Airport Express to a Siemens router

To connect an Airport Express to a Siemens router, you need to set the Airport Express in Bridge mode. This means that your computer will connect to the Airport Express, which will then relay the signal to the Siemens router, and back. The Siemens router will remain the "main" router.

To set up your Airport Express as an Internet access point, you need to connect the Ethernet cable from your DSL or cable modem to the Airport. You will need to buy an Ethernet cable separately, as the Airport Express does not ship with one.

The Airport Express can also work as a repeater to extend the reach of an existing wireless network.

The Airport Express has a built-in power supply, so there are no cords to lose or tangle. It also has a USB port, but this is only for connecting a printer. To set up the Airport Express with stereo speakers, you will need to buy either an analog mini jack connector or its optical, digital counterpart.

Frequently asked questions