Airport Express - DHCP settings ( own gateway address )

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Airport Express - DHCP settings ( own gateway address )

I want to buy an Airport Express, but I must know, if it has one important (for me) feature.

I want to use AExpress as an classic Access Point. I know, that AExpress has DHCP server built in. I need to know if I can set my own IP range, my own DNS address and my own gateway IP that will AE sent (in DHCP leases) to wifi clients. (Most important for me is to set my own gateway IP.) I have seen some screenshots of the AE setup utility, but never seen that option.

Mac mini - core solo, Mac OS X (10.4.11)

Posted on Dec 27, 2007 12:18 PM

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Answer 1

Tesserax

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Dec 27, 2007 1:15 PM in response to Pajlo1

Hello Pajlo1. Welcome to the Apple Discussions!

For the AirPort Express Base Station (AX) to perform as a "classic Access Point," you would need to reconfigure it for "bridge mode." In bridge mode, the AX will "pass-thru" both the NAT & DHCP services provided by the Internet router. Like any Access Point, the DHCP range, DNS info, etc. would need to be configured at this Internet router.

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Answer 2

Pajlo1 Author

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Dec 27, 2007 1:20 PM in response to Tesserax

So AX itself cannot act as DHCP server and send user-defined gateway IP to the wifi clients ?

Message was edited by: Pajlo1

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Answer 3

Tesserax

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158,322 points

Dec 27, 2007 2:48 PM in response to Pajlo1

Yes it can, but an Access Point device typically does not provide DHCP service.

The AX's DHCP service can be configured as follows:
o NAT & DHCP enabled; Connection Sharing = Share a public IP address.
o NAT disabled; DHCP enabled; Connection Sharing = Distribute a range of IP addresses.
o Both NAT & DHCP disabled; Connection Sharing = Off (Bridge Mode).

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Answer 4

Pajlo1 Author

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Dec 27, 2007 3:21 PM in response to Tesserax

Second option seems to be that what I want.

Is it possible to configure AX's DHCP service like this (just an example):

if IP of AX itself is 192.168.0.1 then DHCP leases will be:
IP range - from 192.168.0.100 to 192.168.0.200
DNS server - 192.168.0.99
Gateway - 192.168.0.99

Sorry for so much questions, but I must be absolutely sure, that I can set the Gateway IP manually to any IP address. (Many AP's like my current Linksys WRT54GS don't allow me to do this.)

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Answer 5

Tesserax

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Dec 27, 2007 10:09 PM in response to Pajlo1

The second option is typically used when an ISP provides you with multiple static IP addresses and you wish to use the AX to distribute them via DHCP. I don't think the AX can do what you are looking for.

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Answer 6

jball55

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Dec 27, 2007 10:45 PM in response to Tesserax

How do you access these options in AX? I think I may have conflicts with AX running DHCP at the same time as my wireless AP.

Thanks,

Jim

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Answer 7

Pajlo1 Author

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Dec 28, 2007 4:25 AM in response to Tesserax

OK so I cannot set my own Gateway IP with built-in DHCP server in AX. What setting are available for built in DHCP then ?

Can I set my own IP range ? Can I set my own DNS ?

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Answer 8

Tesserax

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Dec 28, 2007 11:33 AM in response to Pajlo1

You can administer the following DHCP service items:
o DHCP Range
o DHCP Beginning Address
o DHCP Ending Address
o DHCP Lease
o DHCP Message
o LDAP Server

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Answer 9

Tesserax

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158,322 points

Dec 28, 2007 11:34 AM in response to jball55

To turn off DHCP service on the AX, you need to reconfigure it for bridge mode.

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Answer 10

Pajlo1 Author

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Dec 29, 2007 2:16 AM in response to Tesserax

Okey my last question (I promise 😉

Is it possible to share an internet connection with AX, if this internet connection is not connected through WAN port, but it is available on one specific wifi client (which already has internet sharing enabled). Can I set AX to route all packets to one wifi client ?

(I know, if I set all my wifi clients manually - by setting 'default gateway' to this specific client with internet - it works. But I want it automaticaly, so AX set all these clients correctly using DHCP.)

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Answer 11

Tesserax

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158,322 points

Dec 29, 2007 9:08 AM in response to Pajlo1

Is it possible to share an internet connection with AX, if this internet connection is not connected through WAN port, but it is available on one specific wifi client (which already has internet sharing enabled).

Sorry, but no.

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