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What is this attached to my Airport Express?

Trouble1

Trouble1

macrumors regular
Original poster
Nov 18, 2007
133
21
Thailand
When I open Airport Utility I have the world globe at the top. Underneath it is a small green dot and it reads Internet.
Then it is branched off into 2 other Airport Express. To the right is my Airport Express with a green light and Airport Express and (my named network).
To the left is another Airport Express with a green light and it's called Airport Express (3 funky character almost Russian looking) Svetlana.

What is this?

Why isn't there just my network?

I live in a condo in Chiang Mai Thailand.
I have an ethernet connection coming out of the wall. I have had this set up for about a 3 weeks now since buying the APE new.
I never noticed this before.
It all works fine and I have pretty fast wireless internet.

Anybody know what this is?
 
Ok.
So, totally normal Airport activity and nothing to be alarmed about, no security breaches or network hacking?

I did check to see if there were other networks within range with that name... none appeared.
 
How does your Ethernet connection work? Is it shared with the entire building, or is it service just for your unit?

If it's shared with the entire building, then the Airport you're seeing may not be in setup mode, but is still being detected by the Airport Utility app.

Either way, it sounds somewhat normal in that situation. As long as you have a strong Base Station Password, that should stop other people in your building with Airport Utility from trying to reconfigure your Airport. And if you have WPA enabled, they shouldn't be able to connect any devices to it.

Yeah, the name of my Airports that show up in Airport Utility ("Living Room" and "Loft") don't have any correlation to the name of my wireless network, so that's definitely normal. :)
 
Not sure... it comes with the rent and without a wireless setup you can just plug into it, no password required. When I first hooked up the APE it just started and I was able to create my network.

I have the WPA2 Personal enabled and a strong password.


aristobrat said:
How does your Ethernet connection work? Is it shared with the entire building, or is it service just for your unit?

If it's shared with the entire building, then the Airport you're seeing may not be in setup mode, but is still being detected by the Airport Utility app.

Either way, it sounds somewhat normal in that situation. As long as you have a strong Base Station Password, that should stop other people in your building with Airport Utility from trying to reconfigure your Airport. And if you have WPA enabled, they shouldn't be able to connect any devices to it.

Yeah, the name of my Airports that show up in Airport Utility ("Living Room" and "Loft") don't have any correlation to the name of my wireless network, so that's definitely normal. :)
Click to expand...
 
If the (almost russian) AirPort were connected to your network, it'd be connected via a line on the graph. Solid if wired, dashed if wirelessly.
PS there's an option in utility's preferences to show only basestations you've set up.
 
It is connected via a line to the globe, but not my airport
I have the selected in preferences to show only base stations I've set up and this one still shows up.


priitv8 said:
If the (almost russian) AirPort were connected to your network, it'd be connected via a line on the graph. Solid if wired, dashed if wirelessly.
PS there's an option in utility's preferences to show only basestations you've set up.
Click to expand...
 

Attachments

  • APE.png
    APE.png
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Ok, you've got AirPort Express for Svetlana there neighboring! This also means it's already been set up!
If you hover the mouse over both AirPorts, what details do you see?
You could also try if you can enter the Edit mode of her router to have a closer look.
Also, woth a Bonjour Browser you should see how come, her airport registeres on your local network?
 
priitv8 said:
Also, woth a Bonjour Browser you should see how come, her airport registeres on your local network?
Click to expand...
The way the ethernet jacks are configured in his building, it sounds like the whole building is the same "local network".
 
priitv8 said:
That would mean both AirPorts are already in bridge mode?
Click to expand...
I'll have to test my two tonight. I'm curious to see if you have two Airports setup as routers, but connected to the same ethernet network (like his apt building), if they show up like that.
 
Essentially, both AirPort Expresses are on the same local network (apartment building). The Internet comes through a modem and connects to a large switch which runs drops to every apartment. So when you plug in your Express, it functions within the same LAN as the other.
 
When I click on that APE it asks for password.

So, it sounds like a normal thing... I am glad to hear that.

Thanks
 
Trouble1 said:
I don't understand this link.?
Click to expand...
There is no default password for Airports, AFAIK.

Other brand routers come with an generic admin account/password enabled from the factory. You have to know that to be able to login and configure the router. With Apple, you use Airport Utility, and it just lets you in (if it's a new router).
 
I kind of lost track with what everyone is saying.

Bottom line is that it's ok?
What I'm seeing is normal and all is good?
 
Last edited:
priitv8 said:
It's public as per linked post.
Click to expand...
Fair enough.

When is that password ever used?

My first Airport was the 2003 "UFO" model (that had the built-in dial-up modem), and I've configured/used several other Airports and Time Capsule models since then. None of them have ever asked me for that password. It's like Airport Utility has always had it built-in, and it's purposefully obscured from owners. :confused:

Trouble1 said:
Bottom line is that it's ok, what I'm seeing is normal and all it good.
Click to expand...
Glad you're all set! :)
 
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