HT202192: Wi-Fi base stations: How to set up and configure AirPort Express for AirPlay and iTunes

Learn about Wi-Fi base stations: How to set up and configure AirPort Express for AirPlay and iTunes
hipklick
Level 1 (4 points)
Desktops

Q: airport utility 5.6

My IMAC is not automatically set up to my airport express to play music from my bose speakers.  It states I need AU 5.6, what does this mean?  I need an updated Airport Express?  Please advise.

iMac (27-inch Mid 2011), iOS 5.1.1

Posted on May 25, 2012 6:52 AM

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hipklick

Q: airport utility 5.6

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  • by Tesserax,Helpful

    Tesserax Tesserax May 25, 2012 8:11 AM in response to hipklick
    Level 9 (54,657 points)
    Wireless
    May 25, 2012 8:11 AM in response to hipklick

    The AirPort Utility (regardless of version) is NOT required for streaming iTunes to the AirPort Express. It IS required if you want to administer the base station. There are actually two versions of the AirPort Utility that runs on OS X Lion: 1) v6.0 which has an iOS-like interface and is somewhat limited in functionality, and 2) v5.6 which has the traditional interface and is more full-featured. Both can be downloaded from Apple's Support Download site.

  • by hipklick,

    hipklick hipklick May 28, 2012 10:08 AM in response to Tesserax
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Desktops
    May 28, 2012 10:08 AM in response to Tesserax

    Thank you for your response.  For my education, Airport Utility is what connects me to Airport Express?  What do you mean it is not required to stream itunes to the Express?  My bose speakers are attached to the express and I couldn't get the music to play thru them.  Will updating my version of Airport Utility give me the option, when in Itunes, to chose the speakers attached to the Airport Express?  Please advise.

  • by Tesserax,

    Tesserax Tesserax May 28, 2012 10:32 AM in response to hipklick
    Level 9 (54,657 points)
    Wireless
    May 28, 2012 10:32 AM in response to hipklick

    For my education, Airport Utility is what connects me to Airport Express?

    No, your wireless adapter is what "connects" you to the AirPort Express. The AirPort Utility is primarily used to administer the Express to configure it for your networking needs. Other manufacturer's wireless routers typically use a web-based administration interface, whereas the AirPorts use the AirPort Utility for this function.

     

    What do you mean it is not required to stream itunes to the Express?

    Once AirPlay is enabled ... something that you DO configure using the AirPort Utility, the utility itself has nothing to do with the actual streaming. You could (theoretically) remove the utility and steaming will still occur.

     

    Remember this AirPort Utility is the means to configure/administer the Express, but it is NOT required to connect to it or for streaming.