Apple's instructions do not work for me when I try to create a Guest Network.

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Apple's instructions do not work for me when I try to create a Guest Network.

Here is what happens: The "Set Up a Guest Network" instructions do not work. Step 3, "Click Wireless and then select Enable Guest Network" leads me to "Create a Wireless Network."

If I click on that, it leads me to create a substitute for my primary network, leaving me with no second option that I can designate for users. In other words, my "Guest Network" replaces my primary network. Something in both the Airport Express manual, and in Apple's online Support comments does not jibe with what the Utility is asking me to do.

MacBook Pro (15-inch Early 2008), Mac OS X (10.7.3), iTunes, iPhone

Posted on Oct 11, 2012 6:12 PM

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Answer 1

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CRMDVM

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Oct 11, 2012 6:27 PM in response to Wordspinner

What is producing your primary network?

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Answer 2

Wordspinner Author

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Oct 11, 2012 6:41 PM in response to CRMDVM

Thank you for connecting on this issue. I am not very technically proficient. Thus, I do not understand the question about what is producing my primary network. The ingredients that I am aware of are: my MacBook Pro, Comcast Cable, the Airport Express unit, newly installed (replacing a first generation Airport Express Unit), Lion (10.7.5, not 10.7.3). Beyond that, I am lost--and I am not really sure which, if any, of those ingredients are important to answering your question.

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Answer 3

CRMDVM

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Oct 11, 2012 6:49 PM in response to Wordspinner

No problem - the info you gave is great - I just have a few more questions to determine where you are here - first, what version of the Airport Utility are you using and do you have a green light on the Express?

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Answer 4

Wordspinner Author

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Oct 11, 2012 6:55 PM in response to CRMDVM

It is version 6.1, and I do have a green light. I reestablished my main account and am operating on it.

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Answer 5

CRMDVM

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Oct 11, 2012 7:23 PM in response to Wordspinner

OK - thanks - do you have a plain modem or a modem/router or a modem and a router from Comcast?

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Answer 6

Wordspinner Author

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Oct 11, 2012 7:35 PM in response to CRMDVM

I have a D-Link Router (D-Link EBR-2310 Ethernet Broadband Router) and a Cisco Model DPC3000 DOCSIS 3.0 Cable Modem on my system.

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Answer 7

CRMDVM

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Oct 11, 2012 8:03 PM in response to Wordspinner

OK - the mystery is solved - the D-link router is your primary router - the Express is connected in bridge mode - and unfortunately in this setup, the guest network is not available - if you really need a guest network, you would have to replace the D-Link with the Express - now it would be the primary router and the guest network feature would be available - however your version of the Airport Utility is designed to work with most simple modems so I can't guarantee it will work with yours so you would have to try it - and if you need multiple ethernet connections for your network, you would have to purchase an ethernet switch (I recommend an 8 port model which is as little as $10-$15 online) and connect it to the Express - I understand that this is not what you wanted to hear so if you have more questions let me know.

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Answer 8

Wordspinner Author

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Oct 11, 2012 10:41 PM in response to CRMDVM

Progress is welcome, once I fully understand what it is that I need to do. I have several questions. First, I guess, has to do with making the Express unit the replacement for the D-Router. As it stands, now, I have the Express unit in the next room, where it is somewhat removed from interference.

The D-Router has abundant Ethernet sockets to serve the computers and drives connected to one another in close proximity in the office. The Express has one open Ethernet socket. Therefore, I don't see how I can use the Express in lieu of the D-Router. Do you disagree?

How would the Ethernet switch that you mentioned work with the Comcast modem and the Express? What would I need to know about connecting them, defining them to the computer, to each other, etc.?

Connectivity is largely a foreign language to me, so it would help to have information about guides, manuals, etc., that could walk a relative ignoramus through the process of getting them to work well together. Can you suggest any such sources?

Also, is there an Ethernet switch that you would recommend?

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Answer 9

CRMDVM

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Oct 11, 2012 11:09 PM in response to Wordspinner

I fully understand - in your situation if you don't really need the guest network, then I would leave things as they are - if you do need it then I would remove the D-Link and put the Express in its' place connected to the modem - to get the connections that you lose from the D-Link, you would connect the ethernet switch to the open port on the Express and essentially be duplicating the function of the D-Link - the Express would have to be reset and re-configured as the primary router - you would then have a guest network available - the manual that came with the Express tells you how to do this - also check out this link - http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4259 - it shows the setup for an Extreme but it works for an Express - you can get a 5 or 8 port ethernet switch at any store that sells computers - or online - they are cheaper online - we can't recommend by brand name.

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Answer 10

Wordspinner Author

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Oct 11, 2012 11:32 PM in response to CRMDVM

Terrific! I believe that I can do that.

If I encounter any unexpected glitches in the effort, can we continue this discussion?

Thank you. (Wow! What an evening! :-)

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Answer 11

CRMDVM

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Oct 12, 2012 2:46 AM in response to Wordspinner

Yes - and if you are successful, you can add additional units (as long as they are all newer models) and have a true roaming network) - see the next diagram - http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4260 - the ideal setup in the future (or do it now and eliminate the need for the swtch) would be to use an Apple Extreme as the first device so you have 3 gigabit ethernet ports available (they are faster) and you can attach a USB hard drive and/or printer - and use your Express as a remote extender with the ethernet switch for more remote ports - good luck.

Charlie

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