Airport Express as travel router?

Would the Airport Express be the best to use?

Welcome to the discussion area, Rick!

Don't know if it is the best, but it has worked great for me for years at hotels with ethernet connections. It will run on 50-60Hz, 100-220V just fine as long as you have the right adapter in your bag.

You can select the Radio Mode and Security that you want to use and provide a wireless signal for up to 10 devices. Computers will connect using wireless only. If you need additional ethernet ports, and dual band radio modes you'll need to look at an AirPort Extreme.

Message was edited by: Bob Timmons

When you say up to 10 devices, are you referring to 10 computers?

Could be up to a total of 10 computers, iPods, iPads, iPhones or any other device that uses wireless to connect.

Does Radio mode use DHCP?

It could, but you would run into a Double NAT situation on the network. Normally, you would configure the AirPort Express in "Bridge Mode" since the main router that it would connect to would already be setup to handle DHCP services.

can you fix mac addresses?

You mean "static addresses" here? Not if the Express is in Bridge Mode. Yes, if it is handling DHCP.

Does it have to be configured (like when adding a router at home onto a DSL modem - ie, gateway, subnet, etc.) or is it simply a plug and play on the ethernet system?

It will take a few minutes for you to assign a name to the device, establish a name for the wireless network and setup a password for the wireless. It might work "as is" out of the box, but there would be no security on the wireless so anyone in the area could log on.

Can I plug it into my ethernet at home and set it up and then plug it in there in Europe and it will work?

Yes, if you have a spare port on your main router to plug into. Once you have the device configured, it will retain its settings.

What is the dual band mode for on the Airport Extreme?

This allows faster wireless devices to connect to the new high speed 5 GHz band while normal devices to connect to the usual 2.4 GHz band at the same time. It's like having 2 networks in 1.

Because most cordless phones and wireless security systems also use the 2.4 GHz band, there is much more wireless interference on this band. Most of the devices you list (iPhone, iPad) would not be able to connect to the 5 GHz band, so you would not need the AirPort Extreme.

If you decide to get the Express, post back if you want a step by step on how to configure the device for travel.

Message was edited by: Bob Timmons

Don't really know what the best and cheapest route would be. I bought a nice set at Target for about $15.

Radio Shack or any other major electronics store will have what you need.

The airport shop will have what you need as well, but it cost twice as much there.

Here's how to setup your AirPort Express:

You can go ahead and connect it to an available port on your router to simulate the setup at another location. The AX provides a default wireless network with a name like apple network xxxxxx. You have to connect to this wireless network on your computer so you can configure the AX. There is no security on the network.

Open AirPort Utility - Click Manual Setup

Click the Base Station tab just below the row of icons to assign a name to your AX, a device password (write this down) and adjust Time Zone settings.

Click the Wireless tab
Wireless Mode = Create a wireless network
Wireless Network Name = Your choice
No check mark is needed next to "Allow network to be extended"
Radio Mode = 802.11n (802.11b/g compatible) will allow virtually any device to connect
Wireless Security = WPA/WPA2 Personal a good choice
Wireless Password = Your choice (write this down as well)
Confirm Password

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

The AX will restart in 45-60 seconds and you should have a green light. Use your computer to locate the name of the wireless network that you established and see if you can log on that way and get an Internet connection. You should be all set.

*Bridge Mode is the correct setting to work on other ethernet networks. This will usually allow you to connect with more than one wireless device. Sometimes, the router that controls the ethernet network where you are connecting will only allow one device to connect. If that is the case, you can change the setting for Connection Sharing to "Share a public IP address"

When you do this, you will usually get a warning about a Double NAT on your network. Click "ignore". Depending on what type of router you have there now, you may be able to test this out at home as well. Post back on that so we can clarify.

Message was edited by: Bob Timmons

I did not get any messages about a double NAT

That's because you are in "bridge mode" on the AirPort Express.

If you check my post, I mentioned that the probable NAT issue would be associated with another setting..."Share a public IP address"

If you have the time, try changing the setting from "bridge mode" to "share a public IP address" and watch what happens. You'll probably get the Double NAT notice along with an option to "ignore" the issue. What happens if you try this there?

On the road, you should only try the "share" setting if "bridge mode" will not allow multiple wireless devices to connect. "Share" may or may not work at any given hotel. It's a last resort when the correct setting of "bridge mode" is not doing what you want.

Message was edited by: Bob Timmons

Could I plug that into the ethernet in Europe and plug the Airport Express into that?
This way, if someone comes over they could plug in and access the internet without me having to setup wireless access for them and removing it when they leave.

Yes, that would work again assuming that the "main" router will supply IP addresses to multiple devices.

Oh, and do I have to change the time zone when I move it to Europe?

The time zone setting is used to reference connection times, log entries and internet activity for the Express. You can change this if you want, or leave it alone.

Message was edited by: Bob Timmons

On the DHCP beginning address:

For example, your address now might look like 192.168.1.x

Change this to read 192.168.2.x

Do the exact same thing for the ending address

OK to Allow SMP over WAN

OK to allow setup over WAN