using airport express as travel wifi

Question

Level 1

15 points

using airport express as travel wifi

Hello,

I'm considering bringing my iPad2 as my sole computing device to the UK this summer. My room has Ethernet but no wifi, and of course the iPad has wifi but no Ethernet. I use an Airport Extreme at home but have no experience with the Airport Express. I am considering bringing an Airport Express to set up a small local wifi network to connect my iPad 2 to. The main question is will I need to have my MacBook to set this up (or a borrowed MacBook Air)? How can I set up the network security/password? Can I do that with the iPad2 or will I need to have/borrow a MacBook/Air to do it. I presume that once the wifi network is up and running I'd not need any computer to monitor or maintain it?

It is so tempting to leave my beloved MBP at home and just bring the iPad 2 and a bluetooth keyboard instead!

Many thanks!

MacBook Pro/Intel, Mac OS X (10.6.5), IPad 2 64GB GSM, iPhone 4, iPhone 3G, MobileMe

Posted on Apr 27, 2011 1:13 PM

Reply

Answer 1

Bob Timmons

Level 10

185,108 points

Apr 27, 2011 1:38 PM in response to SFMacNewbie

You can set up the AirPort Express at home (and even test it out if you have a router with an available Ethernet port) before you leave on the trip.

At the hotel, connect the Express to the Ethernet port and plug it into power, open your browser, agree to the Internet terms, and you are on your way.

All that you really need to do is remember the password for the wireless network that you establish during setup (or program the iPad to remember it) and you will be connected.

In the very unlikely event that you needed to reconfigure the Express, you would need a Mac or PC handly with AirPort Utility installed on the device. I've traveled with an Express for 4-5 years and never had an issue in this regard. Bad ethernet cables...that's another matter.

Reply

Answer 2

SFMacNewbie Author

Level 1

15 points

Apr 27, 2011 4:25 PM in response to Bob Timmons

Thanks Bob! I do use an Airport Extreme at home connected to my Comcast modem. So to be clear, you are telling me to connect the Airport Express via Ethernet to my Airport Extreme and do the set up that way? Isn't a bit odd to have one WiFi router connected to another one?

Or are you telling me to disconnect my Airport Extreme from the Comcast modem and temporarily replace it with the Airport Express to do the setup? I have to say the latter answer gives me a bit of the willies because the last time I had a WiFi issue I had to pay for Apple's phone support (as both the Extreme and my MBP are now out of warranty). OTOH, though, the Airport Express would have a warranty...

Given that the student digs in Oxford have a separate Ethernet network for visiting guests in the rooms, rather like any hotel, where you just plug in and go, I presume that connecting it to that network would be pretty straightforward. But don't some networks assign IP addresses and some have floating ones? I only know enough about that to ask but not enough to problem solve.

I do know for a fact that I'd have access to at least one MacBook Air that presumably has AirPort Utility on it if I needed to borrow it to problem solve. Perhaps I will wait to get the Express so that it will be within the 90 free support window just in case...

Glad to know it has worked so well for you. I can connect both my iPad 2 AND my iPhone without roaming. Oh, and for everyone else-you may not know that iPad 2s (and probably the first gen as well) are UNLOCKED so all you need is a microSIM for a network when you are traveling and you are good to go. Such an improvement over locked iPhones...

Thanks again.

Reply

Answer 3

Bob Timmons

Level 10

185,108 points

Apr 27, 2011 4:54 PM in response to SFMacNewbie

So to be clear, you are telling me to connect the Airport Express via Ethernet to my Airport Extreme and do the set up that way? Isn't a bit odd to have one WiFi router connected to another one?

You would connect the AirPort Express to one of the available LAN <-> ports on the AirPort Extreme.

Let's say that you wanted to setup a second wireless network for another area of your home and assign a different wireless network name and password to that network for "guests" or the kids. This is how you would configure things.

When you take the Express on the road, the ethernet jack in the hotel connects back to a "main" router for the hotel. So, at home you will be doing the same thing that you do at the hotel...connecting one router to another.

I'm suggesting the connection from the Expess to your AirPort Extreme as a "test" to simulate what will be happening on the road. This way, you can confirm that the Expess is working before you leave on the trip. If the hotel provides an ethernet jack, you have about a 98% chance that everything will work just fine.

Post back when you get the Express and we'll provide a step by step setup guide if you need it.

Reply

Answer 4

SFMacNewbie Author

Level 1

15 points

Apr 28, 2011 6:56 AM in response to Bob Timmons

Splendidly clear explanation! Many thanks. I think it will be the perfect solution. I appreciate the offer of further guidance and will return after I get the Airport Express should I need help. Cheers.

Reply

Answer 5

Bob Timmons

Level 10

185,108 points

Apr 28, 2011 7:22 AM in response to SFMacNewbie

Setup should be straightforward. After you have the Ethernet cable from the Express connected to your AirPort Extreme, you'll use AirPort Utility to configure the Express.

When you click Continue, the first page will ask you to assign a device name and password. The next page will give you some configuration options. You want to choose the "Join" option, then on the next page, choose the option to "connect using Ethernet to extend your current network or create a new network"

Follow the prompts and you should be all set in a few minutes.

Reply

Answer 6

SFMacNewbie Author

Level 1

15 points

May 8, 2011 3:53 PM in response to Bob Timmons

Bob,

would you happen to be online at this moment? (3:48 pm PDT)? I'm sitting at my desk with the Airport Express and reading your helpful posts and the online manual, but I'm a bit confused about leaping in. The online manual has a section entitled connecting your Airport Express to an existing wireless network and then goes on to say "

You can use AirPort Utility to join an existing wireless network. When you connect your AirPort Express to your home stereo, computers on your wireless network can use AirTunes to play music from iTunes on the stereo."

But 1. I don't intend to use Air Play, and 2. by connecting with an ethernet cable to my Airport Extreme that doesn't sound like connecting it to my wireless network but a wired one.

If I connect it to the Airport Etreme with an ethernet cable, and start Airport Utility, is there any chance I can foul up the network I currently have with the Extreme? that would be the last thing I would like to do.

Are you around to walk me through this? I did buy a refurbished one on eBay and if I need tech support from Apple I know it will be a $49 charge...

Thanks,

Kris

Reply

Answer 7

Bob Timmons

Level 10

185,108 points

May 8, 2011 4:32 PM in response to SFMacNewbie

But 1. I don't intend to use Air Play,

AirPlay is set up by default. If you don't plan to use it, you don't have to.

by connecting with an ethernet cable to my Airport Extreme that doesn't sound like connecting it to my wireless network but a wired one.

Your original question asked about how you would use the Express as a hotel Wi-fFi. You would do this by connecting the Express to the Ethernet jack in the hotel room using an Ethernet cable.

From my original reply: At the hotel, connect the Express to the Ethernet port and plug it into power, open your browser, agree to the Internet terms, and you are on your way.

By connecting to your router at home using a wired Ethernet connection to one of the LAN <-> ports on the AirPort Extreme, you are simulating what will happen at the hotel when you plug into the Ethernet wall jack.

If I connect it to the Airport Etreme with an ethernet cable, and start Airport Utility, is there any chance I can foul up the network I currently have with the Extreme?

When you open AirPort Utility, you will click on the AirPort Express to set it up. This will have no effect on any of the settings that you have on the AirPort Extreme.

Reply

Answer 8

SFMacNewbie Author

Level 1

15 points

May 8, 2011 4:39 PM in response to Bob Timmons

Thanks for your reply, Bob. I'll make a leap of faith here. I guess I just find fiddling with network settings a bit nerve wracking. I'll let you know how it goes.

Say, a rather tech sophisticated friend of mine wondered if using the Airport Express in a hotel (or similar) setting where a log in password was required (as many do) would prevent the successful connection through the AE. Has that been your experience?

Thanks,

Kris

Reply

Answer 9

Bob Timmons

Level 10

185,108 points

May 8, 2011 4:48 PM in response to SFMacNewbie

When you plug the AirPort Express into the hotel's ethernet port and power it up, you will open your Internet browser and the hotel's log in page will appear if they use one so that you can agree to terms, etc.

If the hotel does not use a log in page, your browser will open to your home page on the Internet.

If you have saved the wireless network password for the AirPort Express on your iPad, etc. you will not have to enter the wireless network password to log on. You will be automatically connected....just like you are at home when you log on to your wireless network.

Reply

Answer 10

SFMacNewbie Author

Level 1

15 points

May 8, 2011 5:02 PM in response to Bob Timmons

Bob,

I'm a bit stuck here. I do want to create an invisible network and where MAC addresses must be entered into the AE's settings to access the network, just as I have on my current Airport Extreme. I believe I do that under Manual Setup.

But where I'm stuck is after updating the firmware, changing the name of the device to something less generic than what it shipped with, and changing the network password, it has taken me to a screen that offers the following choices. Based on what I've told you about using it with an ethernet cable to create a WiFi network in my hotel room, which choice do I want to make here?

1. Create a wireless network?

2. Connect to a network using Ethernet to extend the network or create a second network?

3. Join a wireless network?

( the last choice about disabling wireless and connecting via ethernet is obviously not the right choice)

My guess is that it is one of the first two. Can you please help?

Thanks!

Kris

Reply

Answer 11

Bob Timmons

Level 10

185,108 points

May 8, 2011 5:32 PM in response to SFMacNewbie

#2 to create a second network.

Assign a new name to the wireless network and a password. That will be the name of the wireless network that you connect to on the road.

Reply

Answer 12

SFMacNewbie Author

Level 1

15 points

May 8, 2011 6:16 PM in response to Bob Timmons

Well, that took me to this screen:

"Select the device or network Airport Express will connect to using Ethernet. If you don't see it, make sure it is connected, and in range.

(of course i don't see it because the only thing it shows is my Airport Extreme, which will clearly not be the device I'll be using when traveling)

If the device is no longer available, click Continue without selecting a device or network."

So I made the latter choice, by clicking Continue without selecting a device or network. I presume that is correct.

Then came the security settings, and while I'm not sure of the difference between WPA/WPA2 Personal, and just WPA 2 Personal (which is what I use on my Airport Extreme) I set it as WPA 2, which was the default.

I've been through it all. I've added the MAC addresses for the devices I want to be able to use it, and I also made the network hidden (so if you don't know what the name is you can't see it).

I added the network to my iPad manually, chose the WPA 2 password and entered it in, the iPad thinks it is connected to the network and show that, but I cannot use Safari nor send or receive email. So something is wrong here, and I can't figure out what it is.

Surely the iPad wouldn't connect to a network if the network name or password was wrong, so what am I missing here?

I'm afraid I've got to go cook dinner and move on from this today, but I'd be most grateful for any additional help you can give me that would spare me the $49 call to Apple Support, which would eat up any savings I had buying a refurbished Airport Express on eBay.

Many, many thanks!

Kris

Reply

Answer 13

Bob Timmons

Level 10

185,108 points

May 8, 2011 6:31 PM in response to SFMacNewbie

Please recall that I instructed you to connect to the AirPort Extreme earlier in the post to be able to "test" out the system. I'm not not sure what you have done at this point.

Open AirPort Utility and click Manual Setup

Click the Base Station tab below the row of icons to check your device name, password, Time Zone, etc.

Click the Wireless tab to check your settings

Wireless Mode = Create a wireless

Wireless Network Name = Name of the wireless network that this device provides

No check mark needed next to Allow this network to be extended

Radio Mode = 802.11n (802.11b/g compatible)

Channel = Automatic

Wireless Security = WPA2 Personal (stronger than WPA/WPA2 Personal)

Wireless Password = Password for the AirPort Express network

Verify Password

Click the Internet icon

Connect Using = Ethernet

Connection Sharing = Off (Bridge Mode)

Update to save settings. Wait 40-45 seconds for the Express to restart. Pick a device and click the AirPort icon at the top of the screen and look for the name of the AirPort Express network so you can log on and enter the password. Do this for each device that you plan to take on the road.

When you want to switch back to the Airport Extreme wireless, click the AirPort icon and select that wireless network.

Reply

Answer 14

SFMacNewbie Author

Level 1

15 points

May 8, 2011 7:36 PM in response to Bob Timmons

Hello Bob,

Yes, I do recall that you asked me to connect it to the Extreme and that is precisely what I did. I connected the Ethernet cable to the Express and then to one of the ports on my Extreme and then plugged it into the power strip. Everything else I did as you mentioned either as you originally instructed or in subsequent emails. I'm sure it is simply a matter of one or two things that aren't quite right, but given that the iPad could connect to the hidden network with the password does indicate to me that those are right as is the MAC address I entered in the authorized devices in the Express. My experience with networks is that all it takes is one thing not right to make it all not work.

I am most grateful indeed for the detailed extra steps you have laid out for me. I work all week with a long commute so it won't be until next weekend before I have time (and mental energy) to tackle this again.

I will double check each item you mentioned and see if the iPad can connect and transmit and receive data. Not to state the obvious but I am assuming that when I go into checking the settings you clearly laid out above I will first select the Airport Express in the left hand column of Airport devices (and NOT my Airport Extreme which is working fine and not coming with me traveling) in Airport Utility, precisely as I have done all afternoon. I've touched nothing in the Extreme's settings whatsoever.

And yes, I plan on testing every device I wish to take with me to make sure they all can connect to this new device.

Again, I am ever so grateful for all your patient help and support. It was partly due to your confident initial reply that setting it up would be so easy that I felt I could avoid buying a new one with 90 day Apple tech support and save about a third of the price and get a refurbished one on eBay (though it does have a 6 month warranty). I have no reason to believe there is anything wrong with the device. It is a settings issue, I'm sure. And my error or oversight, no doubt.

Many thanks again. I hope you may be around at some point next weekend (probably Sunday again) so that I can report on my hoped for success.

Best,

Kris

Reply

Answer 15

Bob Timmons

Level 10

185,108 points

May 8, 2011 7:59 PM in response to SFMacNewbie

Suggest that you get the Express setup and working before you try to tackle the "closed network" setup or MAC Address filtering.

You may be more comfortable using a "closed network", but should know that among IT people, questions like this usually bring a chuckle. That's because there are dozens of free utilities available on the Internet that will reveal a "closed network" in seconds, so it will only protect you from the most casual of computer users...the ones that you don't need to worry about anyway, like honest neighbors.

The bottom line is that anyone who wants to see a "closed network" can do it, so this won't provide any real protection for your network. Same for MAC control, since MAC addresses can be easily cloned, again by anyone who wants to do so.

There's no harm in using these "features" as long as you remember that it won't do anything to keep the bad guys away from your network.

The Express will work well with the manual settings that I provided. My "travel" Express is setup exactly the same way and has been for several years. Post back when you have a chance to tell us how things are working. Good luck.

Reply