Apple MC414LL-A, MB321LL-A User Manual
AirPort Express
Setup Guide
Contents
5 Getting Started
7 Ports on Your AirPort Express
8 AirPort Express Status Lights
9 Using AirPort Express
9 The AirPort Express Network
11 Setting Up AirPort Express
11 System Requirements
12 Setting up AirPort Express
13 Setting Advanced Options
14 Using AirPort Express to Stream Music
16 Tips and Troubleshooting
16 Best Locations for AirPort Express
17 Avoiding Interference
17 Problems and Solutions
3
21 Learning More, Service, and Support
21 Onscreen Help on Your Computer
21 Online Resources
22 Obtaining Warranty Service
22 Finding the Serial Number of Your AirPort Express
23 SpecicationsandSafety
24 AirPort Express Safety Tips
25 Regulatory Compliance Information
4
Getting Started
1
AirPort Express provides simultaneous dual-band wireless 802.11n Wi-Fi networking for all
your wireless devices, including Mac and Windows computers, and iOS devices such as iPad,
iPhone, iPod touch, and Apple TV.
When you set up your AirPort Express Base Station, it creates two high-speed Wi-Fi networks:
 a 2.4 gigahertz (GHz) network for 802.11b, 802.11g, and 802.11n devices, such as iPhone,
iPod touch, and older computers
 a 5 GHz network for 802.11n and 802.11a devices
Your wireless devices join whichever network provides the best performance and compatibility.
You can use AirPort Express to share your Internet connection with all the wireless devices on
your network, share a network printer, and connect to other devices.
Your AirPort Express also comes with AirPlay, an easy way to play your iTunes music through
your home stereo or remote speakers.
5
Status ligh
tR
Link lights
eset button
Power
WAN
Power cord (Your power cord may look different.)
Ethernet USB
Analog/Optical
Audio Out
Chapter 1 Getting Started6
Ports on Your AirPort Express
AirPort Express has ve ports on the back:
10/100Base-T Ethernet Wide Area Network (WAN) port
<
For connecting a DSL or cable modem, or for connecting to an existing Ethernet network
10/100Base-T Ethernet Local Area Network (LAN) port
G
For connecting Ethernet devices such as printers or computers, or for connecting to an existing
Ethernet network
USB port
d
For connecting a USB printer
Analog and optical digital audio stereo mini-jack
-
For connecting AirPort Express to a stereo or powered speakers
Power port
≤
For connecting AirPort Express to an AC power source
Next to the ports is a reset button for troubleshooting your AirPort Express. The status light on
the front of AirPort Express shows its current status.
Chapter 1 Getting Started 7
Before you plug in your AirPort Express, rst connect the appropriate cables to the ports you
want to use—including:
 An Ethernet cable connecting your DSL or cable modem to the WAN port (if you’ll connect
to the Internet)
 An audio cable connecting your stereo to the audio out port (if you’ll use AirPlay to play
music from your iTunes library)
 A USB or Ethernet cable connecting a printer to the USB or Ethernet port (if you’ll print to it
using AirPort Express)
After you connect the cables for all the devices you plan to use, plug the AirPort Express
power cord into the power port and a power outlet. There‘s no on/o switch.
When you plug the AirPort Express power cord into a power outlet, the status light glows
amber during startup, and then ashes amber during setup. The status light glows green after
your AirPort Express is set up and connected to the Internet or a network.
AirPort Express Status Lights
The following table describes AirPort Express status light sequences and what they indicate.
Light Status/description
O AirPort Express is unplugged.
Solid green AirPort Express is on and working properly.
Flashing amber AirPort Express is not set up or cannot establish a connection to the network or
Solid amber AirPort Express is starting up.
Flashing amber
and green
Chapter 1 Getting Started8
the Internet. Use AirPort Utility to nd out the cause. See “If Your AirPort Express
Status Light Flashes Amber” on page 20.
There may be a problem starting up. AirPort Express will restart and try again.
Using AirPort Express
With AirPort Express, you can:
 Create a password-protected wireless home network, and then connect to the Internet
and share the Internet connection with computers and other wireless devices, such as iPad,
iPhone, and Apple TV.
 Create a guest network, with or without password protection, to give wireless Internet
access to friends and visitors. Devices that connect to the guest network only have access
to the Internet.
 Connect your AirPort Express to your Ethernet network. Wireless-equipped Mac and
Windows computers and other wireless devices can then access the network without being
connected by a cable.
 Connect a USB or Ethernet device, such as a printer, to your AirPort Express. All the
computers on the AirPort network can access the device.
 Connect your stereo or powered speakers to your AirPort Express, and then use AirPlay to
play your iTunes library from any computer or iOS device.
The AirPort Express Network
The following illustration shows an AirPort Express connected to the Internet by a modem
and creating a wireless 2.4 and 5 GHz network. The AirPort Express is connected to powered
speakers, so any computer or iOS device on the network can play music through the
speakers using AirPlay. It’s also connected to a network printer using Ethernet, so all of the
computers on the network can print to it.
Chapter 1 Getting Started 9
iPhone or iPod touch
tt
AirPort
Express
Computer
or iPad
2.4 or 5 GHz2.4 or 5 GHz
to Audio
Out port
Powered speakers
See the next chapter, “Setting Up AirPort Express,” to nd out how to use the AirPort
software on your computer or on an iOS device to set up your AirPort Express and your
wireless network.
to Ethernet WAN port
to Ethernet LAN por
Network printer
Cable/DSL
modem
o Internet
Chapter 1 Getting Started10
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