kair: AirPort Express WDS and Client Mode

Express WDS and Client Mode

(Best regards to all the Express owners who post on the Apple Discussion Forum)

Part I: Setting up a WDS network between an AEBS and an Express
The Wireless Distribution System (WDS), allows Wi-Fi bridging between two (or more) Apple base stations (network nodes). The types of Apple base station that can use WDS are: the Express Base Station, and the Airport Extreme Base Station (AEBS). Older Apple base stations (the Snow and Graphite models) are NOT compatible with WDS. Also, note that some Third-party wireless routers can be used with the Express in WDS networks (beyond the scope of this FAQ). But the question is, if you have an AEBS and Express, how do you set up a WDS network? Following on from this question, if it doesn’t extend your range, how can you configure it into Client Mode (Airtunes and USB printing only)?

Assuming you have successfully installed the Airport Express Software that came on the CD with the base station, then, in the: Applications, Utilities folder you will find the Airport Express Assistant and the Airport Admin Utility. Either one of these can be used to configure the Express. Thus, you have two principle methods of configuring the network, which I will outline below:

1. Airport Express Assistant (the easiest method)
Firstly, run the Assistant and select the: set up a New Airport Express option, Connect to my Current Wireless Network, and check the extend the range of my Airport wireless network box, then proceed with the rest of the installation (Continue).

This option for configuration works with wireless clients (XP PCs and Macs running OSX.3).

Notes: if you are an OSX.2 user, then you cannot manage an Express base station. Remember, to check the Apple Website for the latest Airport Express updates.

for Mac or PC. For example, if you are an XP PC user it is important to download the latest Airport Express for Windows update (v4.0.2), available for download from the Apple Website, as earlier versions of the Express Assistant are incompatible with Windows Service Pack 2 (SP2).

2. Airport Admin Utility (AAU) (the more complicated method that is for configuration by a wired client, and for when the Express Assistant doesn’t cut it)
Firstly, run the AAU and select the Express base station (it will have the factory default name/ SSID). Next configure the AAU Fields like so (this is an example of my own WDS settings for AEBS-Express WDS):

A. Main Station (AEBS)
Airport: Channel 10, SSID broadcast, Mode 802.11g, 128 bit WEP security, Base station Name and Airport Network Names are entered in the appropriate fields.
Internet: Connect using Ethernet, Configure using DHCP, IP address XX.XX.XXX.XX, Subnet XXX.XXX.XXX.X, Router XX.XX.XXX.X, DNS Servers XX.XX.XXX.X & XX.XX.XXX.X , WAN Ethernet Speed: Automatic
Network: distribute IP addresses box is checked, Airport client computers: share a single IP address (using DHCP and NAT) 10.0.1.1 addressing
WDS: enable this base station as a WDS Main station is checked, allow wireless clients on this base station box is checked, MAC address of Remote Station entered.
(where the Xs are the values for your own network).

B. Remote (Express)
Airport: same as Main, apart from the Name of the base station.
Internet: connect using airport (WDS), configure WDS host, MAC address of Main Station entered, IP 10.0.1.232, Subnet 255.255.255.0, Router address 10.0.1.1, and Also allow wireless client computer box is checked.
Network: distribute IP addresses unchecked.
WDS: Enable this base station as WDS remote box is checked, Allow Wireless Clients on this base station box is checked, and Main Station MAC address is entered in the Main AirPortID field.
Music: Check the Enable AirTunes on this base station box, and enter the iTunes Speaker Name (the name you have given your Express).




This method can be used to configure the Express by Wireless Clients or by a Wired client connected to the Express WAN Port (note: a crossover cable is not required).

Notes: It is possible to give the Main and Remote stations static IP addresses using the AAU, as long as you have, for example, an upstream DHCP server/ Router (in this case you will uncheck the Distribute IP box on the Main Station).

Firewalls: Sometimes, for example if you are a PC user running SP2, a Firewall can block your ability to configure the Express base station, and the ports to open are: 192, 5009, and 5353. The same principle applies to Third-Party Firewalls you may be running.

Miscellaneous: There is, in fact, a third method to configure the Express and AEBS. The Airport Management Utility, which can be downloaded at http://www.apple.com/support/airport/ from the Airport Support Site. You cannot configure the Express using the Airport Setup Assistant (that will, though, work for the AEBS), or earlier base station/ third-party configuration applications (at the time of my writing this).

I made a mess of it all: Also, if you do mess up your configuration, don’t worry, simply perform a Hard or Factory Reset , and start all over again.

Using Airport WDS
If all is well, the WDS network should work fine (a green light on the Express), and this networking option can extend your wireless coverage (in some cases), though data rates will halve with each WDS node added, and you cannot use WPA security. You can use the Express WAN Port for wired LAN networking, if it is set as a Remote Station. In addition, you can add further AEBS/ Express base stations to the WDS network as Remotes or Relay stations (again beyond the scope of this FAQ).
If wireless coverage is not enhanced, then your best option may be to set the Express up in Client Mode (data rates back to normal, and you can use WPA). This is the second configuration topic covered here:

Part II: Configuring the Express as a Client to join the existing Airport Network
In some situations WDS may not be the best networking scenario for you, e.g. range is not extended. In this case setting the Express up as a client to the other base station may be the prefered option. Here are, again, two methods to configure the Express:

1. Airport Express Assistant
Firstly, run the Assistant and select the: set up a New Airport Express option, Connect to my Current Wireless Network, and DO NOT check the extend the range of my Airport wireless network box, then proceed with the rest of the installation (Continue).

2. Airport Admin Utility
Firstly, run the AAU and select the Express base station for configuration. On the Airport Tab of the AAU select the: Use base station to: Join an Existing Wireless Network. A reduced version of the AAU becomes available to you (just the Airport, Internet and Music Tabs), and you fill in the fields for each of the Tabs, and make certain the Enable iTunes on this base station box is checked on the Music Tab.