How the Apple AirPort Express Functions

There was a time when connecting to the Internet required sitting at a desktop computer linked to a costly (and relatively short) Ethernet cable. This was a luxury compared to earlier times, when you had to connect to a modem via a landline phone system. Today, wireless Internet is nearly everywhere, largely thanks to devices like the Apple AirPort Express.

The AirPort Express is designed to enable you to create a wireless Internet connection wherever you need it — at home, in a hotel room, or virtually anywhere you require a fast and reliable connection. It also allows for streaming various multimedia content to multiple devices and extending the coverage of an existing wireless network. You can even use it to provide wireless access to devices, such as gaming consoles, that have an Ethernet port but lack their own wireless adapter.

For a device that measures just 3.7 inches (9.4 cm) in height, 2.9 inches (7.5 cm) in width, and 1.1 inches (2.8 cm) in thickness, the AirPort Express offers a lot of functionality. Its compact size is intentional — it easily fits into the side pocket of even the slimmest laptop case.

The AirPort Express supports all popular Wi-Fi standards, including 802.11b, 802.11a, 802.11g, and 802.11n. It is also fully compatible with both Mac and Windows operating systems. For security, the device offers options like WPA (Wi-Fi Protected Access), WPA2, 40-bit or 128-bit Wireless Security (WEP), and MAC address filtering.

Connect the AirPort Express to your DSL or cable modem, or your Ethernet network, and it will provide wireless Internet access for up to 10 users. By plugging it into a printer via USB, all 10 users will be able to print wirelessly. If you're using a Mac, the built-in Bonjour feature lets users easily find one another to share photos, videos, or any kind of data across the network.

One of AirPort's standout features is its iTunes integration. By connecting its mm audio mini jack to any speakers in your home, you can wirelessly stream music — both digital and analog — from your iTunes library on your desktop or laptop. If you have an Apple device like an iPhone or iPod Touch, you can even control iTunes remotely, allowing you to enjoy music on demand without ever getting up from the couch.

Stuck in a hotel room with a short, uncomfortable Ethernet cable? Plug in the AirPort, and your room will have secure, high-speed wireless, so you can relax in the tub while surfing the web. If a distant corner of your house is plagued by a weak wireless signal, simply place an AirPort within range of your base station to boost the signal and speed it up significantly.

Apple AirPort Extreme

Like many popular devices, this Apple product has evolved since its debut. The first AirPort Express was released in 2004, featuring an 802.11g networking chip and weighing less than 7 ounces, marking Apple's entry into the ultra-portable router market. Its official range was about 150 feet.

In 2008, Apple upgraded the Express by incorporating an 802.11n chip, which doubled its wireless range to approximately 300 feet. This upgrade also improved data transfer speeds, making them nearly five times faster than before [source: Apple]. Aside from the networking chip change, the product remained largely unchanged.

The AirPort Express isn't Apple's only offering. For more demanding users, the company introduced the AirPort Extreme, which takes the concepts of the Express and enhances them significantly.

Apple launched the first AirPort Extreme in 2003, initially featuring an 802.11g chip. It had all the same capabilities as the Express but supported up to 50 users, making it suitable for small- to medium-sized organizations across various industries.

Apple released an updated version of the Extreme in 2007. The current model replaces the older 802.11g chip with an 802.11n chip, boosting its speed by about five times. These increased speeds make it much easier to transfer the multimedia files, packed with images and sound, that are now essential for both personal and business communication.

The Extreme also includes several features that cater to power users, such as not just one, but three LAN (local area networking) ports. Additionally, it has multiple antennas, allowing it to send and receive data at the same time for quicker transfers.

As a result, the Extreme is slightly larger than the Express. Its dimensions are 6.5 inches (16.5 cm) square and 1.3 inches (3.3 cm) thick.

However, both the Express and the Extreme are relatively small when compared to traditional routers. Their compact size makes them highly portable, allowing almost anyone to set up a wireless base station wherever it is needed. On the next page, you'll find more information on how to get data moving on your own Apple AirPort.

Apple Airport Express Setup

True to Apple's design philosophy, the simple, all-white AirPort Express is built to be easy to set up and use. When it comes to the hardware, this compact device couldn’t be any more straightforward.

To configure your AirPort as an internet access point, start by connecting an Ethernet cable from your DSL or cable modem to the AirPort. Keep in mind that an Ethernet cable isn't included, so if you don’t already have one, a quick trip to the electronics store is in order. In a hotel room, you won’t see a modem, but you can simply connect the Ethernet cable available in the room to the AirPort.

Next, plug the AirPort into an electrical socket. There’s no power button, so the status light will automatically turn on. As the device powers up, the activity light will glow yellow, changing to a steady green once it’s fully ready.

Unlike many routers, there’s no browser-based setup process. Instead, you’ll need to install the AirPort Setup Assistant software, which comes included on a CD.

Regardless of the AirPort feature you wish to use, this software acts as your main configuration and control center. Completing the setup process simply involves following the on-screen instructions. You’ll choose "create a new network," set a password for your new network, and then your AirPort network will appear on all your wireless devices.

On the next page, we will go over the remaining setup steps that will get your AirPort traffic flowing.

AirPort Final Landing

While setting up a typical network is just the beginning, the true magic of your AirPort comes to life when you explore its music capabilities.

To connect your AirPort to your stereo speakers, you'll need either an analog mini jack or an optical digital cable, both of which are sold separately. Connect one end to the Express and the other to your speakers. Afterward, use the AirPort Setup Assistant software to create a new network. Once done, open iTunes and select your speakers from the pop-up window located at the bottom-right corner of the screen.

Once you click play, the music will fill your room through the stereo speakers. However, you can only control playback via iTunes. If you have a portable iPhone or laptop, it's a breeze to control. But if iTunes is installed on a stationary desktop, you'll need to walk back to switch from Blake Shelton to Miranda Lambert.

For wireless printing, connect the Express to your printer using a USB cable. Next, use your computer's operating system to locate the printer over the network.

Additionally, you can configure the AirPort to extend the range of your current wireless network. Ensure you have a working wireless connection. Then, plug the AirPort into a socket where your wireless signal starts to weaken. Afterward, launch the AirPort Setup Assistant and follow its configuration utility to set up your device.

Whether you choose the AirPort Express or its more advanced Extreme version, Apple’s devices enable you to transfer data wirelessly in a variety of data-heavy situations. From music to video content, everything streams swiftly and seamlessly.

Setting up the AirPort is a simple way to take your data from the ground and send it soaring into the sky.