HT5022: AirPort Base Station: How to set up and configure an 802.11g AirPort Extreme Base Station or AirPort Express in OS X Lion

Learn about AirPort Base Station: How to set up and configure an 802.11g AirPort Extreme Base Station or AirPort Express in OS X Lion
Steve Zenk

Q: Airport Express Issues - Again!

I have new internet and, again, I can't set up my Airport Express. I have a Mac. This shouldn't be a hassle. I have Comcast for my internet.

Posted on Apr 12, 2012 8:00 PM

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Q: Airport Express Issues - Again!

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  • by Tesserax,

    Tesserax Tesserax Apr 12, 2012 8:06 PM in response to Steve Zenk
    Level 9 (54,874 points)
    Wireless
    Apr 12, 2012 8:06 PM in response to Steve Zenk

    Anytime you change networking hardware, it is always a good idea to perform a complete power recycle of your networking components.

     

    I would recommend that you do the following as a minimum:

    • Power-down the modem, AirPort base station, and computer(s).
    • Disconnect the AirPort base station from the Internet broadband modem.
    • While all of the devices are powered-down, perform a "factory default" reset on the base station. This will get it back to its "out-of-the-box" configuration and make setting it up much easier, especially if you use the "Assist me" process within the AirPort Utility. (ref: Resetting an AirPort Base Station or Time Capsule)
    • After the base station resets, go ahead and power it back down.
    • Reconnect the AirPort base station to the Internet broadband modem. For the Extreme and Time Capsule, be sure to connect the cable to the base station's WAN (circle-of-dots) port.
    • Power-up the modem; wait at least 10-15 minutes to allow it adequate time to initialize.
    • Power-up the AirPort base station; wait at least 5-10 minutes. Note: The AirPort's status light may continue to flash amber after it has intialized. That is because, there may be some additional configuration items necessary, like setting up wireless security, before the overall setup is completed to get a green status.
    • Power-up your computer(s).

    In this basic configuration, the AirPort base station will broadcast an unsecured wireless network with a Network Name (SSID) of Apple Network NNNNNN. Network clients, connected to the base station either by wire or wireless, should now be able to access the Internet through the ISP's modem. Once Internet connectivity has been verified, you can use the AirPort Utility to configure the base station for wireless security and any other desired options. Please post back your results.