kair: AirPort Express (AX) FAQ Part 1

AirPort Express - A user's attempt at answers to frequently asked questions

The AirPort Express (AX) is a combination device that appears to be intended to create small networks. These networks can be sharing an internet connection, creating a small file exchange network, wireless print serving, and streaming audio to your home stereo.

The AX is not a full featured wireless router. If you need a full featured wireless router, you must consider a product like the AirPort Extreme Base Station (AEBS), or equivalent third party device. You should consider a full featured router if you are going to use more than a handful of computers or other peripheral devices on the network, plan on integrating a number of ethernet-equipped devices into your network, or are considering using your network for an activity like hosting a web site.

The AX can operate in four distinct modes:

Wireless Client Card Mode

The AX acts as a client to an existing Wi-Fi 802.11b or 802.11g network. Think of this as a PowerBook with an AirPort Extreme card in it. It is just a client of the 802.11b/g network. In the idea of this as a client, think if you had two PowerBooks and were sending a file from one to the other. The destination computer just receives the data stream and writes the incoming stream/file to the hard drive. AirPort Express receives the stream/data and outputs it to the audio port. While using an AX in this mode, the ethernet port would not be active.

Traditional WAP/NAT/Router Mode

In this mode, your dsl/cable modem is connected to the ethernet port of the AX. Traditional NAT services (sharing a single IP address supplied by your ISP) are available. In this mode wireless clients can output to AX audio.

Ethernet Bridge Mode

Here, the AX acts as a generic bridge of the wired ethernet network to the wireless network. In this mode, all wireless security modes are supported, but it differs from the traditional WAP/NAT/Router mode in that NAT is not enabled, While in ethernet bridge mode, wireless clients can output to AX audio, and usb attached compatible printers are available to both wired and wireless clients.

WDS RElay/Remote Mode

Using another AX, or an AEBS as the WDS main base station, the AX can be configured as a WDS remote or relay. In this mode, you can expand your network to remote areas of your home, keeping in mind that the remote/relay AX must be able to receive a good signal from the upstream relay or main base station. The ethernet port is available for use and is part of the full network. Any AX attached audio or usb printer can be access by the entire ethernet or wireless network.

The following lists some questions that have been culled from the AirPort Express Pre-release forum.

Networking with AX

What do I need to set up a network using AX?

You need an AX, and at least one wireless computer. It is as yet unclear how the AX will interface with with existing ethernet networks. With an AX and a wireless computer you can:

1.) Share an internet connection (it is assumed that ethernet and PPPoE will be supported, there are doubts that PPPoA will be supported)
2.) Stream music (using iTunes v4.6)
3.) Share a compatible usb printer (it is currently assumed that the compatibility list will be the same as that for the AEBS.


Can AX extend the range of my current wireless network?

If your current wireless network is based on the AEBS, or another AX, you will be able to extend the range of the network. If your current network is based on a third party wireless router, the answer is probably not. It appears that what Apple calls the WDS protocol (which is not a part of the current 802.11 specification) will be used to link AEBS/AX devices. Some third party wireless router manufacturers (e. g. Buffalo Technologies) do have devices that are anecdotally compatible with WDS. However, this compatibility is undocumented, and unsupported. Caveat Emptor.

Is the AX a simple wireless print server?

It looks as if this is a primary function of the AX. Current information would indicate that the AX will use the same zero-configuration protocol (Rendezvous) used by the AEBS. This explains why there are only certain printers that are compatible with AEBS, each printer manufacturer must write a printer driver that is compatible with Rendezvous. It is expected that the AEBS and AX will share a single printer compatibility listing.

Will AX work with my current wireless system?

Well, here is an extremely interesting question. There does not appear to be any doubt that you will NOT be able to extend the range of a current wireless network unless that network is based on an AEBS or AX. There is also no doubt that you will be able to access a network based on AX with any 802.11b or 802.11g compatible device. It also appears that the AX can act as a client to an existing 802.11b or 802.11g compliant network. What this means is that the AX can stream music or act as a print server to an existing network. It seems as if the ethernet port is disabled while using the AX with an existing non-AEBS/AX network.

Is the AX an actual base station or just a network extender?

A bit of both. The AX does not appear to be a full feature router, as evidenced by the lack of a LAN port, and the ability to handle only a limited number of clients. It is also currently unknown whether the AX will offer complete NAT/DHCP services. We do know that you can extend the range of a network created by an AEBS or another AX.

Do I need another base station to use AX?

No, the AX will be able to be used without another base station.

Do I need an AirPort card, or not?.

Any 802.11b (AirPort) or 802.11g (AirPort Extreme) compliant WiFi card will be able to access an AX network, so yes you will need a card. It appears that if you are connected via ethernet to the LAN port of an AEBS, you should have all the services of the AX on the network. It is less clear whether third party wireless routers will be supported. It currently is unclear how you are able to connect directly to an AX using an ethernet cable, except to connect to an existing LAN or cable/dsl modem.

Can I use the AX as a connection method for my ethernet equipped PS2 or other gaming platform?

There has been some speculation in third party publications indicating this will be the case. This function is NOT mentioned in the Apple documentation, and is currently the subject of heavy speculation. However, it would appear that, based on the operation of a bridge, you should be able to connect.

All I have to do is put an AX in a nearby outlet and extend the range of my network so my TiBook can receive signal, right?

Right, if your current network is based on AEBS (or AX). Anything else is still subject to intense speculation, but probably not with most third party wireless routers.

Will AX work as a print server for WinXP PCs too?

As long as the WinDoze devices is running an 802.11b or 802.11g compliant WiFi card, and the printer attached to the AX is a compatible printer, it should.
I don't get reception in a certain area of my house, is all I have to do is put an AX in that area and will I connect?

No, if you cannot get reception in an area with your computer, most likely AE will also not be able to get reception. You must place the AE in an area where it gets strong reception. The signal is then relayed to the area in your "dead zone". You should use an application like MacStumbler to place all of your wireless devices to maximize the signal (and range) of your network.

We have a usb adsl modem, is AX for us?

No. Like the AEBS usb port, the usb port on the AX is for a SINGLE compatible printer. Your modem will not connect successfully to this port. You will need, at a minimum, an ethernet equipped modem. I also notice you are in the UK where ADSL is the standard. It is unclear (but suspected that it will not) if the AX will negotiate the required PPPoA connection method for ADSL.

Does anyone have information about whether the usb port can be used for devices other than printers? Can I connect my TiVo to the Express?

No, only a single compatible usb printer may be attached to the AX usb port.

Audio with AX

What will I need to stream audio to my stereo?

You will need a computer running iTunes v4.6, an AX and a set of cables to hook to your stereo. AX supports both analog and optical outputs.

Can I steam internet radio using AX?

It is unclear as of this point, but it appears that internet radio streamed through iTunes probably will be supported. At this time, it does not appear as if QuickTime streaming will be supported.

Will my SoundSticks (usb speakers) work with AX?

The best guess would be that you will NOT be able to connect your SoundSticks to the usb port on the AX. The AX usb port appears to support a single, compatible usb printer.

If I set up an AX in every room, attached to a different pair of powered speakers, can I play the same music in every room?

It looks as if one copy of iTunes will control one set of speakers on one AX. This is all speculative based on the Apple document, and requires Apple clarification.

What kind of jack is on the AX?

The AX mini jack is a 3.5 mm jack. There is a center section that handles the optical toslink connection.

Can I stream music over my existing wireless network?

This is one of the most hotly speculative items. A cursory look at the Apple specifications makes it appear that this may be possible. It is, however, one of the vaguest sections of the AX documentation, and we are all awaiting clarification from Apple.

Printing with AX

Can I attach my old Epson printer to the AX usb port?

It is thought that the same compatibility listing used for the AEBS will be used for the AX.

Can I attach a usb hub to the AX usb port and connect more than one printer to the hub?

No, only a single, compatible usb printer can be attached to the AX usb port.

Can all of my AirPort or AirPort equipped computers share the AX shared printer?

If all of the printers are operating Mac OS X 10.2.7 or higher, yes.

If I have a network with both an AEBS and an AX, can I have a printer attached to each of them?

Heavy betting is yes, if the printers are compatible.