How do I share my 3g dongle connection via Airport express?

Question

tvdw1988 Author

Level 1

5 points

How do I share my 3g dongle connection via Airport express?

I have just bought a airport express in order to share my 3g dongles connection through it. The issue is I know that it is supposed to be in internet sharing but the Airport does not appear there. There is probably a few basic steps Im missing but I cant find them.

The status on the airport expess is No DNS Servers, Ethernet unplugged, No internet connection.

If someone could provide me with a step by step guide on how to set up this up as I cant find any online.

My computer I am using is a new 21.5 inch iMac running 10.8.2 and its a brand new Airport express. I am beginnner using my mac and would like to set up a wireless netowrk to run my ps3, ipad, laptop and iphone.

Please help!

Regards,

Troy vdW

iMac, OS X Mountain Lion

Posted on Oct 22, 2012 11:20 AM

Reply

Answer 1

Bob Timmons

Level 10

185,144 points

Oct 22, 2012 11:32 AM in response to tvdw1988

If someone could provide me with a step by step guide on how to set up this up as I cant find any online.

Unfortunately, the USB port on an AirPort Express will only support a compatible printer, so it will not work with a 3G USB device.

The bottom line is that the AirPort Express requires an Ethernet connection at its WAN port in order to provide a wireless network with Internet access.

Check with your Internet Service Provider to see if they offer a USB modem that would provide an Ethernet signal to the AirPort Express. That might work.

Otherwise, you will likely need a DSL or cable modem with a broadband Internet connection.

Reply

Answer 2

tvdw1988 Author

Level 1

5 points

Oct 22, 2012 12:51 PM in response to Bob Timmons

I know I cant plug the dongle directly into the router, but my question is how do I share the 3g connection and send it to the airport for my other devices to use.

Do I need to connect the Airport express with an ethernet cable directly to the iMac and then will it appear in internet sharing or can I simply connect wirelssly via wifi and be allow access to the internet that way.

Kind regards,

Troy vdW

Reply

Answer 3

Bob Timmons

Level 10

185,144 points

Oct 22, 2012 1:29 PM in response to tvdw1988

my question is how do I share the 3g connection and send it to the airport for my other devices to use.

We already answered that question.

The bottom line is that the AirPort Express requires an Ethernet connection at its WAN port in order to provide a wireless network with Internet access.

Check with your Internet Service Provider to see if they offer a USB modem (that your USB 3 GB device would plug into) that would provide an Ethernet signal to the AirPort Express. That might work.

Something like this,for example: http://www.cradlepoint.com/products/mobile-broadband-routers/ctr35-wireless-n-po rtable-router

Otherwise, you will likely need a DSL or cable modem with a broadband Internet connection.

Do I need to connect the Airport express with an ethernet cable directly to the iMac and then will it appear in internet sharing

Unfortunately, you cannot "share" a USB Internet connection on the iMac through Ethernet or Wireless using Internet Sharing, so connecting the Express that way would be of no value.

Reply

Answer 4

Mar 3, 2013 4:05 AM in response to tvdw1988

I may be late but let me set the record straigt. You can indeed share an internet connection from a 3G USB modem over your Mac to Airport Express with an ethernet cable. For weeks I allowed myself being misguided by posts that claim you cannot. I even bought another wifi router. But this is plain wrong.

On the "Network" tab, set Airport Express from "DHCP and NAT" to "Off (Bridge only)". Of course, you have enabled "Internet sharing" from your 3G modem to Ethernet in "Settings". In my case, the answer came right from Airport Utility's troubleshooter.

MacBook 13-inch, Late 2008 with OS 10.7.5

Airport Express 2nd Generation

3G modem Huawei EC168C

Reply