MattCowan01
Level 1 (4 points)
Wireless

Q: Adding AirPort Express for "AirTunes" music to network

Hi guys, just a quick bit of advice of you'd be so kind - I want to add an AirPort express to my set up as a dedicated "iTunes Speaker". Up till now I've used a 1st gen Apple TV as my iTunes extension, but this has given up the ghost now, and I don't need a later model as I don't need to the video capabilities of it - I simply need something to AirPlay music from either my iPhone or, for the majority of the time, iTunes on my MacBook Pro.

 

My network is as follows;

 

Internet comes in to cable DSL modem, which is connected to WAN of 2nd gen (500gb) AirPort Time Capsule for LAN and WiFi. ATV was connected directly by ethernet (via a Netgear switch) and my MacBook and iPhone use WiFi (802.11n 5GHz)

 

So I was originally looking at the current model (A1392) AirPort Express, and using that to passthrough the ethernet LAN from the TC to the switch (which goes on to supply my TV box, games console, etc) and potentially use it as a WiFi extender too (to push stronger WiFi out to the garden for example - the TC is upstairs and all this is downstairs), but then I got thinking - could the older AirPort Express (A1264) be used? And instead of passing through the ethernet LAN from upstairs (as it doesn't have two WAN/LAN ports like the current model), but instead just hanging it off the switch via ethernet and connecting it to my amplifier to pump out the iTunes/iPhone music?

 

If I was to do that, would I still be able to use it as a way of extending the range of my 802.11n network (as I don't know if the 1st gen model did 5Ghz or only 2.4)

 

The A1264 models are pretty cheap on eBay these days, and would be an inexpensive way of adding music streaming capabilities back into my set up.

 

Thanks!

MacBook Pro, OS X Yosemite (10.10.5), iPhone 6, Apple TV (1st Gen), iPod

Posted on Aug 12, 2016 8:10 AM

by Tesserax,Apple recommended
Tesserax Tesserax
Level 9 (54,040 points)
Wireless
A:

...could the older AirPort Express (A1264) be used? And instead of passing through the ethernet LAN from upstairs (as it doesn't have two WAN/LAN ports like the current model), but instead just hanging it off the switch via ethernet and connecting it to my amplifier to pump out the iTunes/iPhone music?

Yes, that would work.

If I was to do that, would I still be able to use it as a way of extending the range of my 802.11n network (as I don't know if the 1st gen model did 5Ghz or only 2.4)

Yes, when connected by Ethernet back to the Time Capsule via the Ethernet switch, you can still extend the Wi-Fi network in a roaming type network configuration. The 1st gen 802.11n Express can do either 2.4 or 5 GHz, but not both simultaneously. That would mean you can configure it either way.

The A1264 models are pretty cheap on eBay these days, and would be an inexpensive way of adding music streaming capabilities back into my set up.

Yes, as long as it continues to work. That is, most consumer-grade networking electronics have a useful lifespan of about 5 years. The 1st gen Express came out in June 2004 and was discontinued in March 2008 ... well past that time frame. So be aware that this may not be the best route to go as you may need to replace it soon. I would recommend that you consider getting a new 2nd gen model instead. It can still be used as you planned for the 1st gen.

Posted on Aug 12, 2016 10:13 AM

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MattCowan01

Q: Adding AirPort Express for "AirTunes" music to network

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  • Helpful answers

  • by Bob Timmons,Helpful

    Bob Timmons Bob Timmons Aug 12, 2016 10:12 AM in response to MattCowan01
    Level 10 (105,018 points)
    Wireless
    Aug 12, 2016 10:12 AM in response to MattCowan01

    could the older AirPort Express (A1264) be used?

    Yes

     

    And instead of passing through the ethernet LAN from upstairs (as it doesn't have two WAN/LAN ports like the current model), but instead just hanging it off the switch via ethernet and connecting it to my amplifier to pump out the iTunes/iPhone music?

    That would work

     

    If I was to do that, would I still be able to use it as a way of extending the range of my 802.11n network?

    Yes

     

    (as I don't know if the 1st gen model did 5Ghz or only 2.4)

    The A1264 can do either 2.4 GHz.....or.....5 GHz, but not both at the same time.

  • by Tesserax,Apple recommended

    Tesserax Tesserax Aug 12, 2016 10:13 AM in response to MattCowan01
    Level 9 (54,040 points)
    Wireless
    Aug 12, 2016 10:13 AM in response to MattCowan01

    ...could the older AirPort Express (A1264) be used? And instead of passing through the ethernet LAN from upstairs (as it doesn't have two WAN/LAN ports like the current model), but instead just hanging it off the switch via ethernet and connecting it to my amplifier to pump out the iTunes/iPhone music?

    Yes, that would work.

    If I was to do that, would I still be able to use it as a way of extending the range of my 802.11n network (as I don't know if the 1st gen model did 5Ghz or only 2.4)

    Yes, when connected by Ethernet back to the Time Capsule via the Ethernet switch, you can still extend the Wi-Fi network in a roaming type network configuration. The 1st gen 802.11n Express can do either 2.4 or 5 GHz, but not both simultaneously. That would mean you can configure it either way.

    The A1264 models are pretty cheap on eBay these days, and would be an inexpensive way of adding music streaming capabilities back into my set up.

    Yes, as long as it continues to work. That is, most consumer-grade networking electronics have a useful lifespan of about 5 years. The 1st gen Express came out in June 2004 and was discontinued in March 2008 ... well past that time frame. So be aware that this may not be the best route to go as you may need to replace it soon. I would recommend that you consider getting a new 2nd gen model instead. It can still be used as you planned for the 1st gen.

  • by MattCowan01,

    MattCowan01 MattCowan01 Aug 12, 2016 10:15 AM in response to MattCowan01
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Wireless
    Aug 12, 2016 10:15 AM in response to MattCowan01

    Thanks guys, very helpful info.

     

    So, if I was to purchase one of these two (either 2nd or 3rd gen), and set up in the way I have mentioned above, how would I go about boosting my WiFi with it - is it as simple as just giving it the same SSID and password and away we go?

  • by Tesserax,

    Tesserax Tesserax Aug 12, 2016 10:30 AM in response to MattCowan01
    Level 9 (54,040 points)
    Wireless
    Aug 12, 2016 10:30 AM in response to MattCowan01

    Pretty much an "automatic" setup using the AirPort Utility.

     

    The following are the basic steps:

     

    • To start you will want to perform a "factory default" reset on the Express, especially if it is a used one.
    • Then disconnect it from power when done.
    • Temporarily connect the Express to the Extreme using an Ethernet cable between them. If using a 2nd gen Express, connect the cable to the WAN (circle-of-dots) port on the Express.
    • Power up (plug-in) the Express.
    • On your Mac, click on the Wi-Fi icon on the OS X menu bar. The Express should now show up under: New AirPort Base Station.
    • Click on it and the AirPort Utility should fire up.
    • Enter the desired base station name. I suggest that you keep it short and not to use spaces or special characters for the name. As an example, you can use: AX
    • The next screen should have: Setting up this AirPort Express to extend "<Extreme's base station name>" using Ethernet. This is what you want for a roaming network.
    • Allow for the automated process to complete. You should get a "Setup Complete" message screen. Click on Done.

     

    Once completed, you can move the Express to the desired location.

  • by Bob Timmons,

    Bob Timmons Bob Timmons Aug 12, 2016 10:33 AM in response to MattCowan01
    Level 10 (105,018 points)
    Wireless
    Aug 12, 2016 10:33 AM in response to MattCowan01

    There is no 3rd Gen AirPort Express, only a 1st Gen.....A1264, and a 2nd Gen....A1392.

     

    To have either Express "extend" the network, you would start from a factory default condition on the AirPort, connect the Ethernet cable to WAN port on the Express, and use Apple's setup "wizard" to have the Express "extend using Ethernet".

     

    After you assign a device name that you want to use for the Express, the "wizard"will automatically apply the same SSID to the Express as the main network, the same wireless security, and same password.....and....configure the Express in the correct Bridge Mode setting.  When all is said and done, you will have what is known as a "roaming" network.

     

    To start up the setup "wizard", simply click the WiFi icon on a Mac and then click on AirPort Express under the heading of New AirPort Base Station.

     

    New AirPort Base Express.png

     

    If you want to use an iPhone or iPad for the setup, go the Home screen, tap on WiFi, then tap on AirPort Express under the heading of Set Up New AirPort Base Station

     

    New AirPort iOS 1.PNG

  • by MattCowan01,

    MattCowan01 MattCowan01 Aug 12, 2016 12:11 PM in response to Bob Timmons
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Wireless
    Aug 12, 2016 12:11 PM in response to Bob Timmons

    Thanks again guys, great info. Should have expected it would be a lot more "automated", seems to be the Apple way!

     

    My bad with the 3rd gen - I noticed the three model numbers and assumed that meant three generations - obviously the first one was more of a first and second revision as it gained draft-n support it seems.

     

    I've skinned down my own internal network a bit - I did used to have three wifi networks going at once: 802.11n (2.4GHz) and 802.11n (5GHz) for my server and workgroup access, plus a 2.4Ghz "guest" network for 802.11b/g, but I've since dropped the "guest" network, and only use the 5GHz n network now.

     

    Thanks again, no doubt I'll be back with some question as and when I get an AirPort Express, but for now you've both been more than helpful!

  • by MattCowan01,

    MattCowan01 MattCowan01 Aug 15, 2016 3:03 PM in response to MattCowan01
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Wireless
    Aug 15, 2016 3:03 PM in response to MattCowan01

    Hi guys, another quick q if you don't mind.

     

    Would it make any difference, in terms of performance, wireless speed, etc, if I was just to link the Airport Express to my network via WiFi rather than ethernet from the switch? Just thinking where it will plug in would save me running an ethernet cable if the end result was going to be the same. If it will perform better being hooked up by ethernet then I'll do that, but just wondering if I could simply plug it into the wall, connect up via WiFi and run an audio cable from it to my amp.