Configuring the Airport Express router

Introduction

Most users of modern devices prefer to use devices that are developed by Apple. This kind of preference is most likely due to the quality, performance and style of the products. True, they have several drawbacks, due to which many amateurs and professionals refuse to purchase the unit. First of all, it should be noted the high cost of gadgets and a unique approach, which requires, for example, the Airport Express router.

To configure the device, you need to install a proprietary utility.

This device is a full-fledged Wi-Fi router, adapted to almost all domestic providers.

Features of the American unit

Today in the world two versions of the Airport Express router are on sale. The new device has acquired an updated body and a more advanced form factor. The latest version of Airport Express can support more than 50 devices connected via Wi-Fi, operate at 5 GHz, as well as connect to a USB printer and print documents without using cables. The case is not equipped with outputs for direct connection of flash drives and modems. Another difference is the presence of AirPlay and an additional LAN port.

Apple Airport Express does not have a personal web interface, and the user-made setup needs a proprietary Airport utility. You can download it from the official site, then install via the AppStore to your iPhone (iPad). MacOS computers and laptops are pre-equipped with this extension.

In today's article, we will look at step-by-step instructions that allow even novice users of this American product to easily connect the device.

Setting up a router from Apple

The specialized website apple.ru, although adapted to the Russian consumer, has several significant drawbacks. The fact is that the “simple three steps” described on the web resource, which seem to provide fast and smooth setup of the unit configuration, is in fact not enough. The user often faces various difficulties and tasks that can not always be solved independently.

Setup Airport Express will be made within one of the largest Moscow providers - Speedyline.

At the initial stage, we will take an access point, connect to it the power cord from the network and the Internet cable of the service user of the provider. The last wire must be inserted into the WAN connector (several small circles are drawn above the round hole). If in the hands of the user is not a new, but already previously connected device, you should reset the previous settings using the reset button.

The following manipulations will help restore the Appleport Express to factory settings:

When disconnecting the power from the router, you need to turn it over, find a small hole in it into which you can insert the end of an unfolded clip or a toothpick. After pressing the reset button, do not let go of the hand for a few seconds, and then, while holding the reset, turn on the unit back into the power supply network so that the indicators indicating that the access point is working are located before the connecting eyes.

Delete previous settings

Airport Express setup is not possible without resetting the previous parameters that were set during the previous connection. The owner of the gadget should wait a few minutes until the router starts to “blink” the status indicator. It is this signal that indicates the need to release the held reset button. Such a simple manipulation allows you to reset the old data and start connecting the device from scratch. The access point will turn yellow only until the settings are completed, and only after connecting will the indicator color change to green.

Continuing to configure the router

Through the explorer (Finder) in your favorites you should find programs - utilities, among which is the necessary AirPort application. With this program, Airport Express will be further configured, so there is no point in trying to connect the unit through a web interface that cannot help the user because of his absence.

After the application is opened, AirPort base stations will not be instantly found, a specialized notification will notify us about this. Therefore, you need to click on "Other AirPort Base Stations (1)", and in the menu that opens, stop at AirPort Express aa0406. The selected position contributes to the opening of the settings window.

The router needs to specify the name of the network and the name of the base station, therefore, in certain lines, the user must specify the names that are preferable to him. It is worth noting that in this section you can leave the names specified by default. The only thing you need to invent is a password consisting of at least 8 characters (you will have to enter it every time a new gadget tries to connect to a Wi-Fi access point).

After clicking on the “Next” button, the setup of the device itself will begin, and after a while a window will appear on the screen informing you that the setting was successful.

So, this is where the simple ends. If the owner of the device, entering any browser and typing the website address, hits the page you need, then the provider selected by the user is able to provide the settings that allow you to connect AirPort Express "in just three steps."

If someone is less fortunate, and the Internet provider provides IP addresses only via DHCP, you can resort to a few more simple steps. True, they will be able to help only if the provider does not regularly check all connections by MAC address, that is, by such an identification number, which each network device receives at the manufacturing plant.

It should be noted that some units are provided with such addresses, which subsequently can not be changed or renamed. These devices include Apple Airport Express. American developers assign unique MAC addresses to most of their manufactured products, including network cards, adapters, routers, and telephones.

In the event that the Internet provider filters all connections, you will have to contact its operators for services. If you call technical support, you should indicate the purchase of a new router with the same MAC address. Employees of the provider company will have to help with adding a new MAC address to the table of allowed user connections. As a result, the user will only have to configure AirPlay and a network printer.

Setting up a router when renting an external IP address

If the technical support reports that the user is the tenant of the external IP address, and the router is still lit in yellow, you must configure the Airport Express using static ip.

The previously mentioned company Speedyline disables the protection by MAC address, so the owner of the device needs to re-download (open) the AirPort application, click on the access point and the Change property. In the “Internet” subsection, the first line “Connect via” should be filled with the word “Static”. The fact is that a static address, as opposed to a dynamic address, is immutable. Further configuration is an indication in certain columns of the IP address, subnet mask, router and DNS server. The information should be known to each consumer of a particular provider. In the absence of these data, it is necessary to contact technical support, where they will tell you everything.

At the moment when the router is configured, you must enter the gateway address in the "Router" section. And then, after the introduction of all parameters, you need to press the "Refresh" button and wait for the process to complete.

After completing the procedure, the AirPort utility can be closed. The device for accessing the Internet will light up with several green circles, which will indicate the presence of the Internet.

Conclusion

In principle, the basic setup of the American manufacturer’s router is over and the consumer of the Airport Express can reap the rewards of their work with pleasure.