Apple AirPort Base Station Service Manual
Setting Up the
AirPort Base Station
Contents
1 Introduction to AirPort 5
About the AirPort Base Station 5
The AirPort Base Station at a Glance 6
AirPort Base Station Ports 7
Security Slot and Keyboard Lock 7
About the AirPort Software 8
2 Setting Up Your AirPort Base Station 9
What You Need to Set Up the AirPort Base Station for Internet Access 9
Before You Begin 10
Setup Overview 10
Mounting the AirPort Base Station on a Wall 14
3 Using Your AirPort Base Station 17
Monitoring the AirPort Base Station’s Internet Connection Status 17
Monitoring AirPort Base Station Communication 18
Connecting to the Internet 18
Disconnecting From the Internet 19
Connecting Additional Computers to Your AirPort Network 19
Configuring the AirPort Base Station With the AirPort Admin Utility 19
More Information About AirPort 20
4 Troubleshooting 21
Additional Information 24
Appendix AirPort Base Station Specifications 25
3
CHAPTER
1
1
Introduction to AirPort
AirPort is a simple, fast, affordable way to access the Internet from anywhere in your home,
classroom, or small office without cables, additional phone lines, or complicated networking
software. AirPort is a wireless local area network (LAN) technology that provides highperformance wireless communication between multiple computers and the Internet. When
connected to the Internet, AirPort allows you to share a single Internet connection with
more than one computer at the same time and share files between computers.
To use AirPort to access the Internet, you need an account with an Internet service provider
(ISP). Fees may apply. In addition, you need a traditional way to access the Internet, through
a phone line, cable or DSL modem, or Ethernet network.
About the AirPort Base Station
The AirPort Base Station establishes a wired connection to the Internet and wireless
connections to AirPort-equipped computers. A 56K modem is built into the base station for
dialup (PPP) Internet access. One 10Base-T Ethernet ( ) connection for cable or DSL
modem connections to the Internet or wide area network ( WAN) and one 10/100Base-T
Ethernet (G) connection for high-speed access to your local area network (LAN) are built
in. The base station manages communications between the Internet and the AirPortequipped computers.
The AirPort Base Station can connect to the Internet in the following ways:
m
Using a standard telephone line to connect to the modem (W) port
m
Using 10Base-T Ethernet to connect a cable or DSL modem or an existing Ethernet
network with Internet access to the WAN ( ) port
Once the base station is connected to the Internet, AirPort-equipped computers can connect
to the Internet by joining the AirPort network. Computers connected to the AirPort network
by Ethernet can also share the base station’s Internet connection. See Chapter 2, “Setting Up
Your AirPort Base Station,” for instructions on how to set up the base station for Internet
access and how to connect computers by Ethernet.
5
The AirPort Base Station at a Glance
Security
slot
Internal
modem port
Chapter 1
6
Ethernet
(WAN) port
Ethernet
(LAN) port
Power
adapter port
AirPort Base Station Ports
Your AirPort Base Station has four ports:
Internal modem port
W
Connect one end of the phone cord to the internal modem port and the other end to a
standard telephone jack.
10Base-T Ethernet WAN port
Connect a DSL or cable modem or an existing Ethernet network with Internet access to
the Ethernet WAN port on the AirPort Base Station.
10/100Base-T Ethernet LAN port
G
Connect the local Ethernet computers (computers without Internet access) and printers to
the Ethernet LAN port on the AirPort Base Station.
Power adapter port
¯
Plug the AirPort Base Station power adapter into the power adapter port and connect it to
an electrical outlet.
Security Slot and Keyboard Lock
You can purchase a security cable and lock, such as the Kensington MicroSaver Security
Cable, to secure your AirPort Base Station.
Sample locking device with security cable
Introduction to AirPort
7
About the AirPort Software
In Mac OS X
AirPort Setup Assistant
Use the AirPort Setup Assistant to configure the AirPort Base Station
and to set up your computer to use AirPort.
AirPort Admin Utility
The AirPort Admin Utility, located in the Utilities folder inside the
Applications folder, is an advanced tool used to set up and manage
the AirPort Base Station. Use the AirPort Admin Utility to adjust
network, routing, and security settings and other advanced options.
AirPort status icon in the menu bar
Use the AirPort status icon to switch quickly between AirPort
networks, monitor the signal quality of the current network, and
turn AirPort on and off.
In Mac OS 9
AirPort Setup Assistant
Use the AirPort Setup Assistant to configure the AirPort Base Station
and to set up your computer to use AirPort.
AirPort
Use the AirPort application, located in the Apple (K) menu, to
switch between AirPort networks, set up a Computer-to-Computer
network, connect and disconnect your AirPort Base Station from the
Internet, and monitor AirPort Base Station modem status.
AirPort Admin Utility
The AirPort Admin Utility, located in the AirPort folder inside the
Apple Extras folder, is an advanced tool used to set up and manage
the AirPort Base Station. Use the AirPort Admin Utility to adjust
network, routing, and security settings and other advanced options.
AirPort Control Strip module
Use the Control Strip to switch quickly between AirPort networks,
monitor the signal quality of the current network, and turn AirPort
on and off.
Chapter 1
8
CHAPTER
2
2
Setting Up Your AirPort Base Station
What You Need to Set Up the AirPort Base Station for Internet Access
Before you set up the AirPort Base Station for Internet access, make sure of the following:
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You have a computer with an AirPort Card installed.
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The computer is already configured to access the Internet using its built-in modem or
another method such as a cable modem, DSL modem, or Ethernet network. (As part of
the setup process, a copy of your computer’s active Internet settings will be transferred to
the AirPort Base Station.)
m
You have an account with an Internet service provider (fees may apply) or you have
Internet access through a network.
For more information on using AirPort with your Internet account, contact your Internet
service provider (ISP) or go to the AppleCare Knowledge Base at kbase.info.apple.com
If you do not have an AirPort-equipped computer, see the document called “Installation
Instructions” on your AirPort software CD for information on other ways to set up your
AirPort Base Station.
9
Before You Begin
m
Choose a suitable location for your AirPort Base Station.
You can place your AirPort Base Station on a desk, bookcase, or other flat surface, or you
can mount it on a wall. Place your AirPort Base Station in the center of your home or office,
away from any source of interference or signal blockage such as a microwave oven or large
metal appliances, and close to power and phone outlets (or a network connection).
For more information on mounting the AirPort Base Station, see “Mounting the AirPort
Base Station on a Wall” on page 14.
m
Make sure your computer has the latest version of the AirPort software installed. For the
latest information on AirPort software, check the following Apple Web sites:
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The Apple AirPort Web site at www.apple.com/airport
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The Apple Support Web site at www.apple.com/support
Setup Overview
Once you’re ready, you can set up the AirPort Base Station in three steps:
Test your Internet connection using your computer.
1
Plug in the AirPort Base Station.
2
3
Use the AirPort Setup Assistant.
Step 1: Test Your Internet Connection Using Your Computer
m
Test your Internet connection and the Internet settings on your computer by connecting
to the Internet using your computer’s internal modem or other method.
As part of the setup process, the AirPort Setup Assistant transfers a copy of your computer’s
active Internet settings to the AirPort Base Station, so these settings must be accurate.
Chapter 2
10
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