Booberoi
Level 1 (10 points)
Desktops

Q: new airport

I have the older airport express and now i see a new version is available. Mine works fine - is it of any benefit buying new one - is it faster? Is airport extreme better again?

Mac

Posted on Nov 8, 2012 11:36 AM

by John Galt,Solvedanswer
John Galt John Galt
Level 9 (50,389 points)
Mac OS X
A:

Booberoi wrote:

 

thanks - with the connection described above - is my mac then connected direct to cable and not wireless and still have airplay etc?

 

It's both, and wired is better than wireless.

Posted on Nov 8, 2012 1:54 PM

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Booberoi

Q: new airport

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  • by John Galt,

    John Galt John Galt Nov 8, 2012 11:39 AM in response to Booberoi
    Level 9 (50,389 points)
    Mac OS X
    Nov 8, 2012 11:39 AM in response to Booberoi

    It depends on how old your earlier AirPort Express is. There were two earlier versions prior to the current one.

     

    The newest Express is a simultaneous dual band model and has an additional Ethernet port. This makes it nearly as capable as a full featured AirPort Extreme. Whether it will be faster is impossible to predict due to the variables involved in any wireless environment.

  • by Booberoi,

    Booberoi Booberoi Nov 8, 2012 11:43 AM in response to John Galt
    Level 1 (10 points)
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    Nov 8, 2012 11:43 AM in response to John Galt

    having extra ethernet port - referring to another question u answered earlier re airplay - can i plug my imac directly to it and use both wireless and direct - if u know what i mean?

  • by John Galt,

    John Galt John Galt Nov 8, 2012 12:46 PM in response to Booberoi
    Level 9 (50,389 points)
    Mac OS X
    Nov 8, 2012 12:46 PM in response to Booberoi

    I do and yes you can. The new Express can serve both wireless and wired clients simultaneously, just like the Extreme.

  • by Booberoi,

    Booberoi Booberoi Nov 8, 2012 12:59 PM in response to John Galt
    Level 1 (10 points)
    Desktops
    Nov 8, 2012 12:59 PM in response to John Galt

    John - if i connect mac directly to new airport - the modem only a few feet away from mac - do you think it could be faster? If what you say - i have the best of both worlds with new modem - correct? Thanks

  • by John Galt,

    John Galt John Galt Nov 8, 2012 1:09 PM in response to Booberoi
    Level 9 (50,389 points)
    Mac OS X
    Nov 8, 2012 1:09 PM in response to Booberoi

    The Express is not a modem and does not contain one - you will still need a cable or DSL modem assuming that is how you connect to the Internet.

     

    An Ethernet connection is ideal. No wireless connection will exceed the speed of the wired connection, so if you have the option to use Ethernet (such as with a desktop computer not far from the Express) then use it.

  • by Booberoi,

    Booberoi Booberoi Nov 8, 2012 1:12 PM in response to John Galt
    Level 1 (10 points)
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    Nov 8, 2012 1:12 PM in response to John Galt

    Yes, I i have a cable modem - so will connecting it direct to mac be faster than using wireless?

  • by Booberoi,

    Booberoi Booberoi Nov 8, 2012 1:15 PM in response to Booberoi
    Level 1 (10 points)
    Desktops
    Nov 8, 2012 1:15 PM in response to Booberoi

    can u help? how do I connect mac to new airport express using wired ethernet cable and still be able to have wireless ability for airplay and itunes?

  • by John Galt,

    John Galt John Galt Nov 8, 2012 1:21 PM in response to Booberoi
    Level 9 (50,389 points)
    Mac OS X
    Nov 8, 2012 1:21 PM in response to Booberoi

    Connecting your Mac directly to the Express's LAN port with an Ethernet cable will not affect its ability to use AirPlay or stream iTunes music. Just connect it and it works.

     

    Connect the Express's WAN port to the cable modem. Connect its LAN port to your Mac.

     

    Picture: from AirPort Express 802.11n (2nd Generation): Guide to ports and connectors

     

    AirPort Express 802.11n (2nd Generation) has a number of ports and connectors with various functions.

    NameDescription
    1Status LEDShows the status of your AirPort Express. Click here to learn more about the status LED.
    2Link lightLights up when it detects connectivity with another device.
    3PowerFor connecting AirPort Express to an AC power source.
    4WANFor connecting a DSL or cable modem, or for connecting to an existing Ethernet network.
    5LANFor connecting Ethernet devices such as printers, switches, and computers.
    6USBFor connecting a USB printer.
    7Analog and optical digital audio OutFor connecting AirPort Express to a stereo or powered speakers.
    8Reset button

    For resetting AirPort Express. Click here to learn more about resetting.

  • by Booberoi,

    Booberoi Booberoi Nov 8, 2012 1:43 PM in response to John Galt
    Level 1 (10 points)
    Desktops
    Nov 8, 2012 1:43 PM in response to John Galt

    thanks - with the connection described above - is my mac then connected direct to cable and not wireless and still have airplay etc? Will this be a better system than what i have with old airport with ethernet connection?

  • by John Galt,Solvedanswer

    John Galt John Galt Nov 8, 2012 1:54 PM in response to Booberoi
    Level 9 (50,389 points)
    Mac OS X
    Nov 8, 2012 1:54 PM in response to Booberoi

    Booberoi wrote:

     

    thanks - with the connection described above - is my mac then connected direct to cable and not wireless and still have airplay etc?

     

    It's both, and wired is better than wireless.

  • by Booberoi,

    Booberoi Booberoi Nov 8, 2012 1:57 PM in response to John Galt
    Level 1 (10 points)
    Desktops
    Nov 8, 2012 1:57 PM in response to John Galt

    thanks! over and out

  • by Booberoi,

    Booberoi Booberoi Nov 9, 2012 2:17 AM in response to Booberoi
    Level 1 (10 points)
    Desktops
    Nov 9, 2012 2:17 AM in response to Booberoi

    John - I have just upgraded my Optus account (Australia) and have been supplied a new Cisco DPQ3925 wi-fi modem. I was goint to purchase a new airport express and connect my mac directly to it via LAN and WAN and have the benefit of a direct connection and still be wifi for airplay etc. Now I am told this Cisco is a router and modem - do I just use it and plug my mac to it and hopefully it allows wi fi for airplay - or do I use it purely as a modem replacing the old one and purchase the new airport express? Which is method is more efficient?

  • by John Galt,

    John Galt John Galt Nov 9, 2012 2:04 PM in response to Booberoi
    Level 9 (50,389 points)
    Mac OS X
    Nov 9, 2012 2:04 PM in response to Booberoi

    You can do that if you wish. Just decide which device will function as a router. The other device should be configured as a bridge. The AirPort can function as a wireless access point in either configuration, or you can elect to disable its wireless. AirPlay will also work either way.

     

    I do not think it makes much difference in your case. I would prefer my router to be the AirPort because I find them easier to use and more reliable than anything else I have tried. If you choose to configure the Cisco DPQ3925 combination modem / router as a bridge you would need to consult its documentation to determine how to accomplish that.

  • by Booberoi,

    Booberoi Booberoi Nov 9, 2012 2:09 PM in response to John Galt
    Level 1 (10 points)
    Desktops
    Nov 9, 2012 2:09 PM in response to John Galt

    I thought it was just a matter of connecting computer to Cisco and then I would have a modem and router at same time - not that simple eh?

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