AirPort Express frequently asked questions (FAQ)

Answer: No. But it can wirelessly extend the range of a WDS network that is being hosted by an AirPort Extreme Base Station or another AirPort Express.

Answer: AirPort Express can act as a bridge in three different ways:

• If you have an existing wired network, it can bridge this network to wireless clients.
• If it is set up as a WDS remote or relay station, it can bridge the wireless network to wired clients.
• If it is set up as a WDS remote or relay station, it can bridge the wireless network to wireless clients (or "wirelessly extend" the range of the network).

Answer: Yes. AirPort Express can be a WDS main, remote, or relay station. It can function as a WDS main whether or not you are using it as a router to share your Internet connection (NAT).

Answer: Yes, if you have the proper network adapters for your devices and have set them up properly. They can connect wirelessly when AirPort Express is your only base station or when it's in WDS mode. They can connect via wire when AirPort Express is a WDS remote (the reason for this is described in the next question). They cannot connect either way when AirPort Express is in client mode.

Answer: Depending on how you have it set up, the Ethernet port can function as a LAN port (defined as either simple bridging or sharing your Internet connection via network address translation) or a WAN port (connecting to your broadband Internet service provider or upstream router). However, it never acts as both simultaneously in the way that the original AirPort Base Station (Graphite) can. When the AirPort Express is using network address translation, the Ethernet port acts as a WAN port. When it is set up as a WDS remote station, it can act as a LAN port. Assuming that your Internet service provider only gives you one IP address (the most common scenario for homes), this means that AirPort Express can only accommodate wired clients when acting as a WDS remote base station or bridge. Therefore, if you need to support wired clients and only want to get one base station (or router, as it's the routing capacity of AirPort Express that is relevant here), you should get the AirPort Extreme Base Station instead.

Answer: Yes. AirPort Express can join a third-party network in client mode.

Answer: You can learn about client mode here.

Answer: From the Airport support page.


AirTunes

Answer: Yes, if AirPort Express has joined the network in client mode, or if it is connected via wire to a LAN port on the non-Apple wireless access point.

Answer: Yes. With iTunes 6.0.2 or later, you can send an AirTunes stream to multiple remote AirPort Express units, provided that each AirPort Express has the latest AirPort firmware (available here). The maximum number of remote AirPort Express units is three to six in typical conditions. The number that works for you will depend on your environmental conditions (such as building composition and local radio interference), distance to the remote AirPort Express units, and available network capacity relative to your other usage.

Answer: No. iTunes only sends the same stream to multiple AirPort Express units.

Answer: Yes. With iTunes 6.0.2 or later, you can play through both the computer speakers and multiple remote AirPort Express units, provided that each AirPort Express has the latest AirPort firmware (available here). The maximum number of remote AirPort Express units is three to six in typical conditions. The number that works for you will depend on your environmental conditions (such as building composition and local radio interference), distance to the remote AirPort Express units, and available network capacity relative to your other usage.

Answer: At this time Apple only supports sending one AirTunes stream to AirPort Express via iTunes 4.6 or later.

Answer: No. The USB port is for connecting a printer, not for other devices.

Answer: Yes, if they are on the same subnet. These are common examples of when it would work:

• The existing router is an AirPort Extreme Base Station set up as WDS main, with the AirPort Express set up as WDS remote.
• The AirPort Express has joined the network (AirPort or third-party) in client mode.
• You have a wired-only router sharing your Internet connection with a separate wireless access point that bridges the network to wireless clients. As in the two examples above, the AirPort Express would be either a WDS remote or in client mode.

Answer: AirPort Express acts as a print server for any Mac OS X 10.2 or later, Windows 2000, or Windows XP computer that is on the same subnet, regardless of whether the third-party router is wired or wireless.

Answer: You can connect one printer and a remote control via a USB hub. To learn more, see our uses for the USB port document.


Other hardware features

Answer: No, though you can turn the transmission strength down to a minimum setting. To prevent unauthorized access, you can turn on wireless security features.

Answer: AirPort Express does not propagate the network over any household (AC) wiring.

Answer: No, but this feature is available to Education customers as an AirPort Extreme Base Station model.

Answer: No, but this feature is available in the AirPort Extreme Base Station.