AirPort Extreme Setup Guide
Contents 3 Chapter 1: Getting Started 11 Chapter 2: AirPort Extreme Networks 12 Using AirPort Extreme with Your Broadband Internet Service 14 Using AirPort Extreme to Share a USB Printer 16 Using AirPort Extreme to Share a USB Hard Disk 18 Using AirPort Extreme with Your AirPort Network 20 Chapter 3: Setting Up AirPort Extreme 25 Chapter 4: Tips and Troubleshooting 33 Chapter 5: Learning More, Service, and Support 2
1 Getting Started 1 Congratulations on purchasing AirPort Extreme. Read this guide to get started using it. AirPort Extreme is based on the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) draft 802.11n standard, the fastest wireless standard, which provides better performance and greater range than previous IEEE 802.11 standards. AirPort Extreme is compatible with computers using 802.11b and 802.11g, as well as computers using the 802.11a wireless standards.
 Connect a USB hard disk to your AirPort Extreme. All of the compatible computers on the AirPort network, both wireless and wired, can access the information on the hard disk.  Connect a USB hub to your AirPort Extreme, and then connect multiple USB devices, such as printers or hard disks. All of the computers on the network can access those devices.
About AirPort Extreme AirPort Extreme has five ports, located on the back side:  One Ethernet Wide Area Network (WAN) port (<) for connecting a DSL or cable modem, or for connecting to an existing Ethernet network  Three 10/100 Ethernet Local Area Network (LAN) ports (G) for connecting Ethernet devices, such as printers or computers, or for connecting to an existing Ethernet network  One USB port (d) for connecting a compatible USB printer, hard disk, or hub Status light Internet WAN port Power port E
About the AirPort Software AirPort Extreme works with the AirPort software included on the AirPort Extreme CD. AirPort Utility AirPort Utility helps you set up your AirPort Extreme to create a wireless network, connect to the Internet, and share a USB printer or hard disk. You can also connect your AirPort Extreme to your existing AirPort Extreme or AirPort Extreme wireless network to extend the range of your network using a Wireless Distribution System (WDS).
What You Need to Get Started To set up AirPort Extreme using a Macintosh, you must have the following:  A Macintosh computer with an AirPort or AirPort Extreme Card installed to set it up wirelessly  A Macintosh computer connected to AirPort Extreme with an Ethernet cable to set it up using Ethernet  Mac OS X v10.
 A USB cable to the USB port (d) and to a compatible USB printer (if you will print to a USB printer), a USB hard disk, or USB hub  Any Ethernet devices to the Ethernet LAN (G) ports After you have connected the cables for all the devices you plan to use, connect the AC plug adapter, and plug AirPort Extreme into the wall. There is no “on” switch. Power port Ethernet activity light AC adapter Important: Use only the AC adapter that came with your AirPort Extreme.
When you connect Ethernet cables to the Ethernet LAN (G) ports, the lights above the ports blink when there is network activity. AirPort Extreme Status Lights The following table explains AirPort Extreme light sequences and what they indicate. Light Status/description Off AirPort Extreme is unplugged. Flashing green AirPort Extreme is starting up. The light flashes for one second. Solid green AirPort Extreme is on and working properly.
See “Setting Up AirPort Extreme” on page 20 to find out more about using AirPort Utility to set up your base station and wireless network.
2 AirPort Extreme Networks 2 In this chapter you’ll find explanations of the different ways you can use AirPort Extreme. This chapter gives examples of the different kinds of networks you can set up using AirPort Extreme. It provides diagrams and explanations of what you need to do to get your AirPort Extreme network up and running quickly.
Using AirPort Extreme with Your Broadband Internet Service When you set up AirPort Extreme to provide network and Internet access, Macintosh computers with AirPort and AirPort Extreme Cards, and 802.11b, 802.11g, and 802.11n wireless-equipped computers can access the wireless AirPort network to share files, play games, and use Internet applications like web browsers and email applications.
To set it up: 1 Connect your DSL or cable modem to your AirPort Extreme Ethernet WAN (<) port. 2 Open AirPort Utility (located in the Utilities folder in the Applications folder), select your base station, and then click Continue. 3 Follow the onscreen instructions to create a new network or join an existing one. (See “Setting Up AirPort Extreme” on page 20.) Computers using AirPort and computers using other wireless cards or adapters connect to the Internet through AirPort Extreme.
Using AirPort Extreme to Share a USB Printer When you connect a USB printer to your AirPort Extreme, all computers on the network (wired and wireless) can print to it.
To set it up: 1 Connect the printer to the AirPort Extreme USB port (d) using a USB cable. 2 Open AirPort Utility (located in the Utilities folder in the Applications folder), select your base station, and then click Continue. 3 Follow the onscreen instructions to create a new network. To use the printer connected toa computer using Mac OS X v10.2.7 or later: 1 Open Printer Setup Utility (located in the Utilities folder in the Applications folder). 2 Select the printer from the list.
Using AirPort Extreme to Share a USB Hard Disk When you connect a USB hard disk to your AirPort Extreme, all computers on the network (wired and wireless) can connect to the hard disk to access, share, and store files.
To set it up: 1 Connect the hard disk to the AirPort Extreme USB port (d) using a USB cable. 2 Open AirPort Utility (located in the Utilities folder in the Applications folder), select your base station, and then click Continue. 3 Follow the onscreen instructions to create a new network. Computers can access the hard disk to share or store files using Mac OS X v10.4 or later, or Windows XP (with Service Pack 2).
Using AirPort Extreme with Your AirPort Network The illustration below shows a wireless network utilizing all the capabilities of AirPort Extreme.
To set it up 1 Connect all the devices you plan to use in your network. 2 Open AirPort Utility (located in the Utilities folder in the Applications folder), select your base station, and then click Continue. 3 Follow the onscreen instructions to set up your network. (See “Setting Up AirPort Extreme” on page 20.
3 Setting Up AirPort Extreme 3 This chapter provides information and instructions for using AirPort Utility to set up your AirPort Extreme. Use the diagrams in the previous chapter to help you decide where you want to use your AirPort Extreme, and what features you want to set up on your AirPort network. Then use the instructions in this chapter to easily configure AirPort Extreme and set up your AirPort network.
Using the AirPort Utility To set up and configure your AirPort Extreme to use AirPort for wireless networking and Internet access, use the setup assistant in AirPort Utility. AirPort Utility is installed on your computer when you install the software on the AirPort Extreme CD. On a Macintosh computer using Mac OS X v10.3 or later: 1 Open AirPort Utility, located in the Utilities folder in your Applications folder. 2 Select your base station, and then click Continue.
The setup assistant in AirPort Utility asks you a series of questions about the type of network you want to use and the services you want to set up. The setup assistant helps you enter the appropriate settings for the network you are setting up. If you are using AirPort Extreme to connect to the Internet, you need a broadband (DSL or cable modem) account with an Internet service provider, or a connection to the Internet using an existing Ethernet network.
Before you use the AirPort Utility to set up your base station, connect your DSL or cable modem to the AirPort Extreme Ethernet WAN port (<). If you are using an existing Ethernet network with Internet access to connect to the Internet, you can connect the AirPort Extreme to the Ethernet network instead. Use the setup assistant in AirPort Utility to enter your ISP settings and configure how AirPort Extreme shares the settings with other computers.
To set advanced options: 1 Choose the wireless network you want to change. On a Macintosh, use the AirPort status menu in the menu bar. On a computer using Windows XP, hold the pointer over the wireless connection icon until you see your AirPort network name (SSID), and choose it from the list if there are multiple networks available. 2 Open AirPort Utility, located in the Utilities folder in the Applications folder on a Macintosh, and in Start > All Programs > AirPort on a computer using Windows XP.
4 Tips and Troubleshooting 4 You can quickly solve most problems with AirPort Extreme by following the advice in this chapter. The AirPort Software Can’t Detect the Proper AirPort Hardware Make sure that the computer you are using has an AirPort Card or an AirPort Extreme Card installed. If you recently installed the card, shut down your computer and make sure the card is properly installed.
You Forgot Your Network or AirPort Extreme Password You can clear the AirPort network or base station password by resetting AirPort Extreme. To reset the base station password: 1 Use the end of a straightened paper clip to press and hold the reset button for one second. 2 Select your AirPort network. Â On a Macintosh, use the AirPort status menu in the menu bar to select the network created by AirPort Extreme (the network name does not change).
Your AirPort Extreme Isn’t Responding Try unplugging it and plugging it back into a power outlet. If your AirPort Extreme stops responding completely, you may need to reset it to the factory default settings. This erases all of the settings you’ve made and resets them to the settings that came with the AirPort Extreme. To return AirPort Extreme to the factory settings: m Use the end of a straightened paper clip to press and hold the reset button until the status light flashes quickly (about 5 seconds).
Your AirPort Extreme Status Light Flashes Amber The Ethernet cable may not be connected properly, AirPort Extreme may be out of range of an AirPort network, or there may be a problem with your Internet service provider. If you are connected to the Internet with a DSL or cable modem, the modem may have lost its connection to the network or the Internet. Even if the modem seems to be working properly, try disconnecting the modem from its power supply, waiting a few seconds, and then reconnecting it.
3 Make sure the printer is selected in the Printer List window on client computers. To do this on a Macintosh using Mac OS X v10.3 or later: Â Open Printer Setup Utility, located in the Utilities folder in the Applications folder. Â If the printer is not in the list, click Add. Â Choose Bonjour from the pop-up menu. Â Select the printer, and then click Add. To select your printer on a computer using Windows XP: Â Open “Printers and Faxes” from the Start menu. Â Select the printer.
AirPort Extreme Placement Considerations The following recommendations can help your AirPort Extreme achieve maximum wireless range and optimal network coverage. Â Place your AirPort Extreme in an open area where there are few obstructions, such as large pieces of furniture or walls. Try to place it away from metallic surfaces. Â If you place your AirPort Extreme behind furniture, keep at least at least an inch of space between the AirPort Extreme and the edge of the furniture.
 Certain electrical devices such as power lines, electrical railroad tracks, and power stations  Cordless telephones that operate in the 2.4 or 5 gigahertz (GHz) range. If you have problems with your phone or AirPort communication, change the channel your base station or AirPort Extreme uses, or change the channel your phone uses.  Nearby base stations using adjacent channels. For example, if base station A is set to channel 1, base station B should be set to channel 6 or higher.
5 Learning More, Service, and Support 5 You can find more information about using AirPort Extreme on your hard disk, on the web, and in onscreen help. Online Resources For the latest information on AirPort Extreme, go to www.apple.com/airport. To register AirPort Extreme (if you didn’t do so when you installed the software on the AirPort Extreme CD), go to www.apple.com/register.
Onscreen Help m To learn more about using AirPort, open AirPort Utility and choose Help > AirPort Help. Obtaining Warranty Service If the product appears to be damaged or does not function properly, please follow the advice in this booklet, the onscreen help, and the online resources. If the base station still does not function, go to www.apple.com/support for instructions about how to obtain warranty service.
Appendix AirPort Extreme Specifications AirPort Specifications  Wireless Data Rate: Up to 54 megabits per second (Mbps)  Range: Up to 150 feet (45 meters) in typical use (varies with environment)  Frequency Band: 2.4 and 5 gigahertz (GHz)  Radio Output Power: 15 dBm (nominal)  Standards: 802.11 DSSS 1 and 2 Mbps standard, 802.11b, 802.11g, 802.11a, and draft 802.
 Width: 6.50 inches (165.0mm)  Thickness: 1.34 inches (34.0mm)  Weight: 1.66 pounds (753 grams) Hardware Addresses The AirPort Extreme has two hardware addresses printed on the bottom of the case:  AirPort ID: The address used to identify AirPort Extreme on a wireless network.  Ethernet ID: This also known as the MAC address. You may need to provide this address to your ISP to connect AirPort Extreme to the Internet.
About Operating and Storage Temperatures When you are using your AirPort Extreme, it is normal for the case to get warm. The AirPort Extreme case functions as a cooling surface that transfers heat from inside the unit to the cooler air outside. Avoid Wet Locations Warning: To reduce the chance of shock or injury, do not use your AirPort Extreme in or near water or wet locations. Â Keep AirPort Extreme away from sources of liquids, such as drinks, washbasins, bathtubs, shower stalls, and so on.
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