Airport Express 802.11n

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Airport Express 802.11n

I was told that this model is backward compatible with 802.11b/g. Is this correct? If so, how do I connect my 802.11b iMac G4 to it so I can go on the Internet?

Posted on Dec 31, 2012 8:28 AM

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Answer 1

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edex67

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Dec 31, 2012 9:36 AM in response to romad

Yes the 802.11n Express is backwards compatible with the 802.11b standard. However you will need to check what encryption standards your G4 supports as it doesn't support WPA2 Personal. Try using WPA/WPA2 or WEP 128-bit (be warned that WEP 128-bit is woefully insecure and can be cracked relatively easily).

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Answer 2

romad Author

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Dec 31, 2012 9:54 AM in response to edex67

Hmm, then I guess I'll need to turn off the security. The security options on my G4 are: WEP Password, WEP 40/128-bit hex, 40/128-bit ASCII, and LEAP; no WPA flavor at all. The AE does not support any of the 4 that I can use with the G4.

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Answer 3

edex67

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Dec 31, 2012 10:40 AM in response to romad

It might be better for you to purchase a USB WiFi stick however this would be slower due to the old USB1 ports.

You could also try using a Netgear Universal WiFi Adaptor or just using Ethernet.

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Answer 4

romad Author

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Dec 31, 2012 11:01 AM in response to edex67

Can't use E-net as the G4 is at the end of one room and the AE is at the end of another; besides the LAN port on the AE is connected to my DirecTV receiver.

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Answer 5

romad Author

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Dec 31, 2012 11:05 AM in response to romad

I thought we had 15 minutes to edit a post but can't find the button. I'll look into that Netgear item

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Answer 6

edex67

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Dec 31, 2012 11:07 AM in response to romad

Then I would probably recommend the Netgear Universal WiFi Adaptor (WNCE2001). It can be found here:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Netgear-Universal-Wifi-Internet-Adapter/dp/B003VIWJYI

Edit: Ah, just saw your second post.

Message was edited by: edex67

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Answer 7

romad Author

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Dec 31, 2012 11:48 AM in response to edex67

That device looks like the old WUA-801 AeroPad Mini that was sold by MacSense.

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Answer 8

edex67

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Jan 1, 2013 2:45 AM in response to romad

It does work similarly. However, the Netgear provides 802.11n speeds.

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Answer 9

romad Author

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Jan 1, 2013 7:01 AM in response to edex67

I went through the documentation Netgear has online but it didn't mention Mac OS, just Windows. I sent them a request for more information about Mac-compatibility. I found Mac instructions for the old WUA, so that may work.

edex67 wrote:

It does work similarly. However, the Netgear provides 802.11n speeds.

and allows use of WPA security like the old WUA did, of course.

Edit:

Discovered the "edit" problem reason: Yesterday my home Internet was down so I was using Safari on my iPhone over cellular network to post. Looks like Safari iOS doesn't support the edit option. Today I'm up on my iMac using Firefox, and the edit button is there.

Message was edited by: romad

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Answer 10

edex67

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Jan 1, 2013 8:47 AM in response to romad

The WNCE2001 works fine on OS X. The IP address is 192.168.1.251. Please note that by default it runs a DHCP server, so connect it to the iMac while the iMac isn't network connected.

Oh forgot to add, it uses a Web GUI to configure it, like most routers. You will want to turn the DHCP server off.

Message was edited by: edex67

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Answer 11

Jan 1, 2013 9:10 AM in response to romad

Hi again, Romad! 🙂 Just a bit of really serious advise do not conduct personal financial bussiness over a WEP or WPA encrypted network. Your bank will not replace stolen money from your accounts. Also if you use a WPA2 encrypted network make sure you have a good password.

See https://discussions.apple.com/docs/DOC-3047

Also Note WPA2 encrypted networks can be cracked if you are using a password that can be found in a word list. The only thing that will deter a hacker is time. a 21 key password will buy you roughly 2 years per single device attack. download Kismac and you will see what I mean.

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Answer 12

edex67

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Jan 1, 2013 9:14 AM in response to Benjamin2102

I agree but he doesn't need to use WEP as he is looking into the WNCE2001.

WPA2 encrypted networks can be cracked even easier over WPS bruteforcing, turn off WPS! Look up reaver for more information.

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Answer 13

romad Author

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Jan 1, 2013 9:26 AM in response to Benjamin2102

I don't when I'm away from home. I live in a rural area with my closest neighbor about 500 feet away across the street; my WiFi signal does not even reach the street so that isn't a problem at home.

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Answer 14

romad Author

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Jan 3, 2013 9:31 AM in response to romad

After thinking some more one it, I'm leaning toward buying another AirPort Express, connecting it to the G4 iMac via an Ethernet cable, and having the new AE connect to my current network. Is that feasible or will there be a problem with the G4 iMac (which is running Mac OS 10.4.11) connecting to the new AE via Ethernet cable? I figure that since the NetGear WNCE2001 would work like this then the AE should also.

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Answer 15

edex67

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Jan 3, 2013 10:55 AM in response to romad

Yes, it should work like this. The WNCE2001 would perform exactly the same function as the Express.

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