The Apple Airport Express, a pocket-sized wireless access point and SOHO router was refreshed with 5Ghz Wireless Draft-N capability in March of 2009. \r\n
Oooooh. Designed in CALIFORNIA! How sheik!
The Airport Express is one of the smallest if not the very smallest high-speed wireless broadband router you can buy for the money. The unit fits in the palm of your hand and has a flip-out power prong, so it plugs directly into an AC power jack. It has a USB port, an audio port (for wireless iTunes broadcasting from your PC or Mac) and a single Ethernet port for Ethernet NAT or Bridging.
The software CD should immediately be discarded for the latest version of the Airport Express software on Apple’s site, as it resolves a number of configuration issues with Windows.
The Airport Express utility is a Windows program that you need to use in order to remotely configure the device. Unlike other SOHO wireless routers, the unit does not have a web-based configuration interface.
After identifying the base station over your LAN, you can then change the ID of the unit and the administrative password.
The Airport Express has three different usage options. It can be used as the sole router off a broadband connection (Cable/DSL) or it can join an existing WLAN as an access point. You can also swap out your existing access point or router with the Airport Express if desired.
The Airport Express uses WPA2-AES Private Shared Key (PSK) encryption as its wireless security mechanism. You’ll want to make sure on Windows when making your wireless connection that you choose the AES encryption mode as opposed to TKIP.
The default setting is for the device to get its configuration information from an existing DHCP server, such as your Cable Modem/DSL device or your existing SOHO router.
This screen is where you confirm your settings.
If the setup utility detects configuration issues, the software attempts to resolve them. (1)
If the setup utility detects configuration issues, the software attempts to resolve them. (2)
I’ve set my Airport to Bridge mode (Layer 2) so that my existing router in my house can act as the master. Additionally, if I am in a hotel room or other location where a master DHCP server or router exists, it’s best to use this option so the unit functions as a simple access point.
Conflicts are resolved on this screen.
The Airport Express is now ready for use.
