Airport Express Ethernet port

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Airport Express Ethernet port

Hi all,
I was wondering if it is possible to use the Airport Express's ethernet port as a bridge for a wired ethernet device. I'm looking at buying a Blu-ray player, which needs an ethernet connection to perform updates. I know I could go out and spend $90 on a linksys wireless-g bridge to connect to my linksys network, but I already have the airport express, which pretty much does the same thing already, and it's in place by my stereo, where the blu-ray would be going anyway. Is this possible? If so, how would I configure it?

Airport Express, firmware 6.3, Windows Vista

Posted on Jan 28, 2008 9:54 AM

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Answer 1

Duane

Level 10

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Jan 28, 2008 9:57 AM in response to tamorgen

The only way to make the Ethernet port on the AirPort Express (AX) active is to configure the AX as part of a WDS connected wireless network. Unfortunately very few non-Apple base stations are compatible with Apple's WDS.

If you have a Linksys WRT54G or WRT54GS (not latest versions v5) you might be able to make it work. You would need to configure both the Linksys and AX to use WDS and cooperatively connect.

If you have a different Linksys device creating your wireless network, the chances are very low that this is possible.

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Answer 2

tamorgen Author

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Jan 28, 2008 9:59 AM in response to Duane

I actually do have the Linksys WRT54G. Can you tell me how to configure this to let me Airport Express act as a bridge?

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Answer 3

Duane

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Jan 28, 2008 10:08 AM in response to tamorgen

You might want to take a look at Frank Canzolino's user tip "Linksys WRT54G and WDS".

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Answer 4

tamorgen Author

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Jan 28, 2008 10:43 AM in response to Duane

Thanks Duane, it worked beautifully. I configured it as directed from Frank's guide, and then grabbed my laptop, turned off wireless connectivity, and plugged it into the ethernet port. The connection came up right away! I'm actually suprised it worked so easily. Now I just hope it will work with the blu-ray player when I get it.

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Answer 5

Duane

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Jan 28, 2008 11:15 AM in response to tamorgen

Great! Glad that I could help!

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