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    just got an AirPort express and have some questions

    Discussion in 'Networking and Wireless' started by Raven390, Jul 25, 2008.

  1. Raven390

    Raven390 Notebook Enthusiast

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    I just bought an Apple Airport express 802.11n today which I will be taking to college to use in my room. I'm using a MacBook Air. My college requires that before I connect my AirPort access point to the Internet, that I must configure security settings and everything first,
    can do this wirelessly with the AirPort Utility right? unlike most computers which need to connect a Ethernet cord from the PC to the LAN port on the router.

    can I still configure it if my Ethernet cable from the AirPort is not connected to the data jack on the wall (Internet).

    Also, could I just do this at my home and then when I get there, just connect the AirPort to the internet and be able to get online instead of having to do it there?
    Thanks.
     
    Raven390, Jul 25, 2008
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  2. Wirelessman

    Wirelessman Monkeymod

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    My understanding is that you won't be changing the university router setup (they won't allow you anyway), you will be setting your laptop security setup, which involves modifying your wireless adapter settings, which doesn't involve any wireless process.
     
    Wirelessman, Jul 25, 2008
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  3. Raven390

    Raven390 Notebook Enthusiast

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    so what do you mean exactly? I should still be able to configure the router without wires?
     
    Raven390, Jul 25, 2008
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  4. Wirelessman

    Wirelessman Monkeymod

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    Sorry, I didn't know that you were talking about your own router, then forget what I said above.

    My personal experience is that when I start changing the router security parameters, I will be told that I won't have communication for about 30 seconds, so, if I do that wirelessly, I normally loose the link. So, when I play with the router, I do it while connected to the LAN port of the router.

    I think it has to do with the 802.11x protocol, if it doesn't see activity it will disconnect you from the router.
     
    Wirelessman, Jul 25, 2008
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  5. Raven390

    Raven390 Notebook Enthusiast

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    ok thanks I just have a simple question... Do I need to connect the Ethernet cord from my router to the modem (data jack) in order to configure the settings, or can I just connect my router to power but NOT to a modem or data jack and my computer will still be able to detect it and configure settings? lets just say I am have my pc connected to the LAN port of the router
     
    Raven390, Jul 25, 2008
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  6. makaveli72

    makaveli72 Eat.My.Shorts

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    Raven, to answer ur question...yes u should be able to configure the Router wirelessly to boot w/ out it being connected to the wall or a Modem. All it needs is power and ur computer should pick it up in the available networks list. You should then just find out ur default gateway. One way to do this is go to Start--->Run, and type CMD and hit enter or press ok. then type ipconfig /all

    Note the default gateway, which is the IP address of the Router and type it into ur Internet Address bar and hit enter to begin configuring...I believe u know about these steps already.

    Did that answer ur question? :)

    Edit: And yes u can configure it before hand..and just plug it in at ur new location and ur settings will remain.
     
    makaveli72, Jul 25, 2008
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  7. Raven390

    Raven390 Notebook Enthusiast

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    ok thanks... but remember I have a Mac so I am going to need to use the airport utility thing on my computer instead of doing it the PC way which is to go to www.routerlogin.net or typing in 192.168.1.1
     
    Raven390, Jul 25, 2008
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  8. makaveli72

    makaveli72 Eat.My.Shorts

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    Oh well...in that case i'm not sure...as I don't have much experience w/ Macs but I don't see why it wouldn't work.

    Edit: Well it might not work... Click The first step is telling u here to connect the DSL or Modem to the Airport.
     
    makaveli72, Jul 25, 2008
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  9. Raven390

    Raven390 Notebook Enthusiast

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    No I just did it, I was able to configure it without it being connected to a modem/wall, thanks though
     
    Raven390, Jul 25, 2008
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  10. makaveli72

    makaveli72 Eat.My.Shorts

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    Ok...Great!
     
    makaveli72, Jul 25, 2008
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  11. Wirelessman

    Wirelessman Monkeymod

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    Did you do it wirelessly?
     
    Wirelessman, Jul 26, 2008
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