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Level 1

5 points

Airport Express Connection in a Hotel

Just bought a new airport express to exclusively use in a hotel where only an ethernet connection is available. Saw other posts where I should use a bridge connection etc..., but I am not having any luck. I keep getting an error message of "your airport wireless device does not have a valid IP address" Any suggestions? I have restarted, reset everything. Ethernet connection between my laptop and airport express and reset it also. And I have the blimy yellow blinking light.

p.s. I bought this in Japan and sitting in a hotel in Tokyo. If that matters.

HP 2510p, Windows 2000

Posted on May 30, 2010 5:32 AM

Best reply

Bob Timmons

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Level 10

159,704 points

Posted on May 30, 2010 6:00 AM

Welcome to the discussion area!

First, not all hotels with ethernet connections will allow a router to connect to their network. You might want to check with the hotel's front desk about that regarding their policy.

Use AirPort Utility - Manual Setup to check some of your settings on the Express.

Click the Wireless tab below the row of icons
Wireless Mode = Create a wireless network
Wireless Network Name = Your choice
Radio Mode = 802.11n (802.11b/g comatible)
Wireless Security = WPA2 Personal or WPA/WPA2 Personal
Wireless Password = Your choice
Verify Password

Click the Internet icon
Connect Using = Ethernet
Connection Sharing = Off (Bridge Mode)
Update to save settings

Power down the Express and connect it to the hotel's ethernet jack using an ethernet cable.
Power up the Express
Open your browser to see if the hotel's internet page will appear so you can agree to terms, pay fees, etc.
Once you agree, you should be on the internet and wireless should be working.

Message was edited by: Bob Timmons

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22 replies

Sep 29, 2010 1:56 PM in response to Sidney1

+Once the AE setup is made at home ( using your settings from last post ) with Macbook .... I can install/use the AE only by Ipad in the hotel ... no need of carrying the Macbook with me ... am I correct ??+

Yes. That is correct.

All you need to do is plug the Express into the ethernet port and wait for the green light. As soon as you see this, open your browser and the log on page for the hotel will appear.

Sidney1

Level 1

0 points

Sep 29, 2010 2:20 PM in response to Bob Timmons

Hi Bob!

That answer was incredible fast ... thank you ... great !

Best regards
Gregor

Sidney1

Level 1

0 points

Oct 5, 2010 1:18 AM in response to Bob Timmons

Hello Bob!

Tomorrow I will receive my Airport Express from Amazon.

I already have an existing WLAN network ( called e.g. "A" ) between Macbook and a TimeCapsule.
The LAN cable is plugged into TimeCapsule.

My last questions please:

1- All I have to do now is plug in the AE into the socket and install the Airport-Utility on my Macbook for making the initial setup ( your described setup for hotel use ) - without any cable using ?

2- Or must I unplug the LAN cable from TimeCapsule and plug it into AE for initial setup ( your setup for hotel use ) ?

3- Disturbs the existing WLAN network called "A" the initial process ?

4- I believe Airport-Utility is already installed on my Macbook because of TimeCaspule - isn´t it ? No need of installing it once again ?

Sorry for being in the dark.

Best regards
Gregor

Oct 5, 2010 6:24 AM in response to Sidney1

+1- All I have to do now is plug in the AE into the socket and install the Airport-Utility on my Macbook for making the initial setup ( your described setup for hotel use ) - without any cable using ?+

Connect the AirPort Express directly to your computer using an ethernet cable for the setup. Once you have the Express configured and updated, you can disconnect the ethernet cable and reconnect your computer to the Time Capsule if you were using an ethernet cable to do this.

+2- Or must I unplug the LAN cable from TimeCapsule and plug it into AE for initial setup ( your setup for hotel use ) ?+

If you do not have a spare ethernet cable to configure the AirPort Express, then temporarily disconnect another cable to use it with the AirPort Express. After you have the Express updated, you can reconnect the ethernet cable back to its original position. You may need to restart your network.

+3- Disturbs the existing WLAN network called "A" the initial process ?+

The setup of the AirPort Express will have no effect on your network.

+4- I believe Airport-Utility is already installed on my Macbook because of TimeCaspule - isn´t it ? No need of installing it once again ?+

AirPort Utility is already on your computer. Macintosh HD > Applications > Utilities > AirPort Utility

Sidney1

Level 1

0 points

Oct 5, 2010 6:52 AM in response to Bob Timmons

Hi Bob!

Wow ... LAN cable direct from AE to MacBook .... I never thought I have to do it in that way ...

Because the TimeCapsule setup was made with LAN cable plugged into TimeCapsule but other end of LAN cable not into Macbook but into Modem/DSL. Setup was made over air.

Thank you for this advice !

Best regards
Gregor

Sidney1

Level 1

0 points

Oct 6, 2010 12:05 AM in response to Bob Timmons

Hello Bob!

Today my AE arrived ... I connected the AE with LAN cable directly to Macbook .... made the "hotel-use-setup" as you described .... and saved it ....

... but there was an error pops up : "The Airport-Utility could not find the AE after restart. The setup was made succesfully. But there is a problem with the connection and so it could not find each other. Choose your network and try again." ( translated from German )

Now my question: Is the AE ready for hotel use now or is something wrong ?

Best regards
Gregor

Dec 25, 2010 8:25 AM in response to Bob Timmons

Bob,

Hope you are still watching this thread. Merry Xmas from Jamaica, here on vac with my wife and son. Our take off point was the Westin Collanade, Coral Gables where we had a disappointing wifi experience. The Westin there only has wifi and we are traveling with 3 iPhones, 2 iPads and a PC laptop. What I didn't know was that each device that logged in was charged $12. I complained forcefully and got the charges lifted. Long story, but the question is on the way home we will spend 5 days in the Westin Key West and I don't know the net situation there, but I do have the AE with me. Will the bridge setup defeat the multiple wifi charges?

Airport Express Connection in a Hotel