Can Airport Express be used as a DSL router?

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Level 1

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Can Airport Express be used as a DSL router?

i'm having a nightmare trying to connect currently with a Netgear router, so i'm thinking of ditching it and going Apple...

I'm finding official Express info a bit vague....

i need a router type device that i can connect with via DSL (phoneline) to get on the net, both via ethernet and wirelessly. i have a Mac Mini which i want to connect via Ethernet and a Macbook which i want to wirelessly...is this what it can be used for?

i know it does lots of music stuff too, but i'm not really interested in that at the mo, but i'm wanting to go apple after having so much trouble with non-dedicated hardware...

thanks

Mac Mini, Mac OS X (10.5.7), Macbook 13inch

Posted on Jul 5, 2009 2:15 PM

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Answer 1

Bob Timmons

Level 10

185,042 points

Jul 5, 2009 3:00 PM in response to thee grump

Welcome to the discussions!

The Airport Express could be used with a separate DSL modem to create a wireless network that would allow up to 10 clients to join. But, since the single ethernet port would be used to connect to the modem, you would not be able to connect any other devices via ethernet.

Take a look at the Airport Extreme with a WAN port to connect to a separate modem and three LAN ports for ethernet connections. In addition, the Extreme will also create a wireless network with far more client capabilities.

In both cases, you would need to use a separate DSL modem as none of the Apple routers have a built in modem.

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Answer 2

Duane

Level 10

124,293 points

Jul 5, 2009 7:26 PM in response to thee grump

Can AirPort Express be used as a DSL router?

Presumably a "DSL router" would be a combo DSL modem/router. If that is your question, the answer is No. None of Apple's base stations include a DSL modem.

If you have a DSL modem with an Ethernet output you could connect an AirPort Express (AX) to that modem. However it would only support wireless clients.

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Answer 3

thee grump Author

Level 1

0 points

Jul 6, 2009 1:00 AM in response to Duane

so, even if i wanted to connect my 2 macs wirelessly to the internet, i could not use the airport express to do this? i would still need a separate router/modem?

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Answer 4

Bob Timmons

Level 10

185,042 points

Jul 6, 2009 5:30 AM in response to thee grump

"so, even if i wanted to connect my 2 macs wirelessly to the internet, i could not use the airport express to do this? i would still need a separate router/modem?"

You just need a modem to connect to the AirPort Express, not a combination modem/router. The Express would perform the wireless routing functions. Only wireless devices would be able to connect to the Express in this arrangement.

You would also need a modem to connect to the AirPort Extreme. This device can handle more wireless connections and also includes 3 LAN ports to connect ethernet devices.

Apple devices do not have a built in modem.

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