Is AirPort Express a router?

ohcrap · Oct 28, 2005, 12:17 PM

I understand what it is used for and how it works (for the most part) but it is actually a router? Can I get into it's settings with a browser to set up port forwarding and static IP's, etc.?

I am looking to replace my Dell TrueMobile wireless router and I want to make sure that I have the right idea about the AirPort Express before I buy.

mad jew · Oct 28, 2005, 06:49 PM

Yes it's a router and yes you can do all normal router tasks with it but you don't use a browser, you use an app called AirPort Admin Utility instead.

EricNau · Oct 28, 2005, 07:23 PM

I have an Airport Express, and I really like it because it's an Apple product, made for an Apple Computer, an therefore the software for it is built into the computer. They all work together really well, and easily.

ohcrap · Oct 28, 2005, 07:38 PM

That's all I need to know. Thanks guys.

jsw · Oct 28, 2005, 07:46 PM

You might want to download the manual off of apple.com just to be sure it does all you want. It's not the most advanced router out there.... I have three and love them. But... they're only moderately sophisticated.

tsaxer · Oct 28, 2005, 07:49 PM

Just be perfectly clear, though, it is a wireless router, but only has 1 in 1 out for ethernet cable. If, like me, you have 3 computers in the house bound by ethernet and then some wireless machines, you'd need to go with either a regular 4 port combined with the AE, or just a combo router. You probably knew that, but others reading may not pick up on that.

jsw · Oct 28, 2005, 07:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tsaxer

Just be perfectly clear, though, it is a wireless router, but only has 1 in 1 out for ethernet cable.....

To clarify that even further: a grand total of one ethernet port.

Which was probably clear to all anyway....

Clix Pix · Oct 30, 2005, 09:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tsaxer

Just be perfectly clear, though, it is a wireless router, but only has 1 in 1 out for ethernet cable. If, like me, you have 3 computers in the house bound by ethernet and then some wireless machines, you'd need to go with either a regular 4 port combined with the AE, or just a combo router. You probably knew that, but others reading may not pick up on that.

I've been wondering about this. I have a Netgear b/g wireless router with 4 ports for wired machines. Until now, I've had my PCs all plugged in via ethernet, even the old laptop, as it was never able to connect too comfortably in wireless mode. If I were to buy an Airport Extreme, would I then just be able to plug it into that router and use the AE as an extension/extra access point, so to speak, for my iMac and PB, both of which have wireless capability built in? And also plug in my printer to that printer port in the AE so that I can share it among computers?

OTB

Helmut Kool · Oct 31, 2005, 06:31 AM

There doesn't seem to be a way to assign a static IP address to a specific computer (detected by its MAC address) when sharing addresses with DHCP.

I mean, you can forward for example connections to SSH port to 10.0.1.2 but you can't be sure that 10.0.1.2 will be the same computer all the time.

superbovine · Oct 31, 2005, 11:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Helmut Kool

There doesn't seem to be a way to assign a static IP address to a specific computer (detected by its MAC address) when sharing addresses with DHCP.

I mean, you can forward for example connections to SSH port to 10.0.1.2 but you can't be sure that 10.0.1.2 will be the same computer all the time.

that is why you assign the static ip on the client end. although, i think your point is that it doesn't have all the bells and whistle link the newer dlink or linksys routers do.

Helmut Kool · Oct 31, 2005, 01:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by superbovine

that is why you assign the static ip on the client end. although, i think your point is that it doesn't have all the bells and whistle link the newer dlink or linksys routers do.

Is this really possible if you want to share a single IP address (from DSL box) to several Macs using the Airport Express? Could you give specific directions on how to do that, please.

Peace · Oct 31, 2005, 02:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Helmut Kool

Is this really possible if you want to share a single IP address (from DSL box) to several Macs using the Airport Express? Could you give specific directions on how to do that, please.

There should be easy to use directions using the airport setup assistant in the utilities folder..

Simply put.Use DHCP.

Helmut Kool · Oct 31, 2005, 02:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Peace

There should be easy to use directions using the airport setup assistant in the utilities folder..

Simply put.Use DHCP.

I'll rephrase my problem. How can I guarantee that computer A always gets the IP address 10.0.1.2? If Airport Express shares IP addresses with DHCP, I can't just tell in the client computer what IP address I would like to use. Or can I somehow?

Eniregnat · Oct 31, 2005, 02:43 PM

I love my AirportExpress. I take it with me everywhere (between work and home.) When ever I travle for work, I know that I will have a wireless access port in my room, even if there isn't one. I have used it to streem audio for classes, and it's an ok print server- though I really don't think Apple's Rhapsody is all it is cracked up to be.

Oct 28, 2005, 12:17 PM	#1
ohcrap macrumors 6502a Join Date: Aug 2005	Is AirPort Express a router? I understand what it is used for and how it works (for the most part) but it is actually a router? Can I get into it's settings with a browser to set up port forwarding and static IP's, etc.? I am looking to replace my Dell TrueMobile wireless router and I want to make sure that I have the right idea about the AirPort Express before I buy. __________________

Oct 28, 2005, 06:49 PM	#2
mad jew Demi-God (Moderator emeritus) Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Adelaide, Australia	Yes it's a router and yes you can do all normal router tasks with it but you don't use a browser, you use an app called AirPort Admin Utility instead. __________________ Some things are better mad...

Oct 28, 2005, 07:23 PM	#3
EricNau macrumors Demi-God Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Sacramento, CA	I have an Airport Express, and I really like it because it's an Apple product, made for an Apple Computer, an therefore the software for it is built into the computer. They all work together really well, and easily. __________________ November is Pancreatic Caner Awareness Month www.PanCan.org \| Get Involved

Oct 28, 2005, 07:38 PM	#4
ohcrap Thread Starter macrumors 6502a Join Date: Aug 2005	That's all I need to know. Thanks guys. __________________

Oct 28, 2005, 07:46 PM	#5
jsw Demi-God (Moderator) Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Andover, MA	You might want to download the manual off of apple.com just to be sure it does all you want. It's not the most advanced router out there.... I have three and love them. But... they're only moderately sophisticated. __________________ You'll be the one moaning for me to give you some. - THC(taken out of context)

Oct 28, 2005, 07:49 PM	#6
tsaxer macrumors regular Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Tuscaloosa, AL	Just be perfectly clear, though, it is a wireless router, but only has 1 in 1 out for ethernet cable. If, like me, you have 3 computers in the house bound by ethernet and then some wireless machines, you'd need to go with either a regular 4 port combined with the AE, or just a combo router. You probably knew that, but others reading may not pick up on that. __________________ My ability to talk to sea creatures has no effect here.

Oct 31, 2005, 06:31 AM	#9
Helmut Kool macrumors member Join Date: Mar 2003	There doesn't seem to be a way to assign a static IP address to a specific computer (detected by its MAC address) when sharing addresses with DHCP. I mean, you can forward for example connections to SSH port to 10.0.1.2 but you can't be sure that 10.0.1.2 will be the same computer all the time.

Oct 31, 2005, 02:43 PM	#14
Eniregnat macrumors 68000 Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: In your head.	I love my AirportExpress. I take it with me everywhere (between work and home.) When ever I travle for work, I know that I will have a wireless access port in my room, even if there isn't one. I have used it to streem audio for classes, and it's an ok print server- though I really don't think Apple's Rhapsody is all it is cracked up to be.

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