kair: AirPort Express Client Mode and the 2Wire HomePortal

Airport Express Client Mode and the 2Wire HomePortal

Aims and Scope
So, you want to set up a rockin’ Express to stream music to your stereo/ powered speakers, but are using a 2Wire HomePortal. While the Airport Express usually works seamlessly with Apple networking, the setup for third-party wireless can be a little trickier. This User Tip describes how to network the Airport Express with a 2Wire, and is based on excellent tips from the Apple Discussion Users: Joel Greenson, and John Akridge (also my best regards to all those who post on the Airport Express part of the Apple discussion forum).

Firstly, you will be wirelessly networking the Express using its Client Mode. This allows the Express to join the existing wireless network, but will not extend it. Configured thus, the Express is available for Airtunes music streams and USB printing. The key points for successful configuration are (in this case):
1. You must disable WEP with the HomePortal monitor.
2. You must manually configure the IP address and SSID of the Express device. You may well have to assign a static IP address as well, because DHCP does not work so well in this situation.

Notes
Disabling WEP has the obvious drawback in terms of security, however, as I write, this is currently the only reported way to configure the Express in client mode with a 2Wire HomePortal.

Method
The following lists the basic steps required:
1. Disable all encryption/ security/ WEP on your wireless router. If possible, it's best to make all changes to your Airport Express with a wired network connection from your Airport Express to your wireless router/ client.
2. Plug your Airport Express into an electrical outlet, and wait 90 seconds, or so, for it to boot up. Hard reset it with a paper clip in the reset button for 10 seconds. Plug an Ethernet cable into the Airport Express and into your router. Wait 60 seconds, or so.
3. Launch the Airport Admin Utility that came on the Express CD. Make sure you disabled your software firewalls first (Black Ice, zone alarm, Windows Firewall… etc). Also, check you have the latest Express updates.
4. Click the configure button.
5. On the Airport Tab change the 'Use base station to:' box to: 'Join an existing Wireless Network'.
6. Type your SSID (or Network Name) into the 'Network Name' box. The 'Network Name' gets deleted when you toggle the 'Use base station to' drop down box. The 'Network Name' for 2Wire routers usually has the word 2WIRE in it if your router has its default settings.
7. On the Internet Tab Configure 'Manually'.
8. On the Internet Tab IP address '172.16.1.32'.
9. On the Internet Tab Subnet mask '255.255.0.0'.
10. On the Internet Tab Router address '172.16.0.1'.
11. Click update, wait 60 seconds and launch iTunes (v4.6 or greater required). You will see your Airport Express in a box in the lower right hand corner of the bottom status bar. If 'My computer' is shown in the status bar, click on 'My computer' and select your Airport Express instead.

Notes
Steps: 7, 8, and 9 are only good for 2wire routers that have the default settings. The values for steps: 8, and 9 can be found in your wireless router admin settings. Step 7 is kind of tricky. Here's how I decided on the value of the IP for step 7 ('172.16.1.32 '). By default the DHCP range for the 2Wire routers is 172.16.1.33 - 172.16.1.250. So for the example I needed to pick an IP that was outside the 172.16.1.33 - 172.16.1.250 range. I picked 172.16.1.32, because it was 1 less than 172.16.1.33 and it was outside the 172.16.1.33 - 172.16.1.250 address range.