Airport Express and Network Attached Storage

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Level 1

9 points

Airport Express and Network Attached Storage

I have an Airport Express networked to a wireless belkin router with the Airport Express being used to stream music to my stereo. Is there a way to attach a network attached storage drive to the Airport Express while in this configuration? Could the drive (which outputs using a network cable) be connected to the print server USB port by using an adapter?

From what I can tell, the TCIP port is disabled when when not used to connect to the internet. Is it possible to use the Airport Express to receive the internet connection wirelessly from the belkin router and also connet dirrectly to the network storage devise either dirrectly by network cable or wirelessly using another wireless access point (I also have a netgear wireless router laying around)?

So many questions, so few answers...

Posted on Oct 16, 2005 11:22 PM

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Answer 1

Henry B.

Level 9

78,731 points

Oct 16, 2005 11:44 PM in response to Bradley Rolf

There are only two devices that can be cabled to the Airport Express USB port:
- a printer
- the Keyspan Express remote control device for iTunes
You cannot connect a USB interface hard drive to it.

In wireless client mode (the mode you are currently using your Airport Express in) the ethernet port is inactive.

When configured as a remote base station in a wireless distribution system (WDS) the ethernet port on the Airport Express is active, and could be cabled to the ethernet port of a NAS drive. There is one model of Belkin wireless router (the F5D7230-4) which supports Apple's implementation of WDS. If this is the router model you own, I can only tell you that others have reported you can set up a WDS between the two - but the last step-by-step instructions posted here to do this were purged from the system a long time ago. You are on your own to make this work if you do indeed happen to own a F5D7230-4.

Your Netgear wireless router (as with most wireless routers) will only communicate with wireless clients - not other wireless routers.

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Answer 2

Bradley Rolf Author

Level 1

9 points

Oct 17, 2005 10:52 PM in response to Henry B.

Thank you for the information!!! One follow-up question. If I have one Airport Express being used in wireless client mode with the Belkin, can I use another Airport Express connected to the NAS drive in WDS mode with the first Airport Express? From the settings I have seen, I don't know how this could work.

I guess what I'm getting at is can an Airport Express be used as a wireless ethernet adapter in my network?

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Answer 3

Henry B.

Level 9

78,731 points

Oct 17, 2005 11:04 PM in response to Bradley Rolf

No - the configuration you have been contemplating won't work.

If you want to put an ethernet interface NAS drive on a wireless network, buy a wireless bridge device like the Linksys WET54G or the Belkin F5D7330. Wireless bridge devices are specifically designed for this purpose, and cost about the same as an Airport Express.

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Answer 4

Bradley Rolf Author

Level 1

9 points

Oct 18, 2005 8:15 AM in response to Henry B.

Thanks again! I was hoping to have an excuse to purchase another Airport Express being that they are very flexible and could be used for other applications as needed. I guess I will just have to wait for another reason.

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Answer 5

Bradley Rolf Author

Level 1

9 points

Oct 19, 2005 11:18 AM in response to Bradley Rolf

I finally found an inexpensive solution that took a little work to figure out but is worth the trouble in the end. As recommended by Henry B. I looked at the Belkin F5D7330, but it lists for around $99. Willing to take a chance I purchased a Belkin F5D7130 network extender from a local Office Max for $34 since the unit looked exactly the same and I could return it hassle free. Well, as expected the unit did not integrate correctly at first (it would have if my main router had bridging mode capabilities); however, by loading the F5D7330 frimware on the F5D7130 device, it worked perfectly and I now have a new F5D7330 working! The manual and setup software is available online and was very smooth. Looking at the Belkin Website, they don't even list the F5D7130 range extender anymore and would bet it is exactly the same as the F5D7330 as with different firmware.

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