AirPort Extreme Setup Guide
Contents 2 4 5 6 7 10 Chapter 1: Getting Started About AirPort Extreme About the AirPort Software What You Need to Get Started AirPort Extreme Status Light 11 12 14 16 18 Chapter 2: AirPort Extreme Networks Using AirPort Extreme with Your Broadband Internet Service Using AirPort Extreme to Share a USB Printer Using AirPort Extreme to Share USB Hard Disks Using AirPort Extreme with Your AirPort Network 20 21 22 22 24 25 Chapter 3: Setting Up AirPort Extreme Using AirPort Utility Creating a New Wireles
26 26 26 27 28 29 30 30 31 Chapter 4: Tips and Troubleshooting You Can’t Connect to the Internet You Forgot Your Network or Base Station Password Your AirPort Extreme Isn’t Responding Your AirPort Extreme Status Light Flashes Amber Your Printer Isn’t Responding Updating AirPort Software AirPort Extreme Placement Considerations Items That Can Cause Interference with AirPort 32 Chapter 5: Learning More, Service, and Support 34 Appendix: AirPort Extreme Specifications and Safety Guidelines Contents 3
1 Getting Started 1 Congratulations on purchasing AirPort Extreme. Read this guide to get started. AirPort Extreme is based on an Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) draft 802.11n specification and 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 and 802.11n 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 have access to those devices. Important: Install AirPort Utility 5.2 from the CD that came with your AirPort Extreme 802.11n Base Station and use it to set up your base station.
 One USB port (d) for connecting a compatible USB printer, hard disk, or hub for connecting several devices Status light Internet WAN port Power port Ethernet ports USB port Reset button Security slot AC adapter Next to the ports is a reset button, which is used for troubleshooting your AirPort Extreme. The status light on the front of AirPort Extreme shows the current status. About the AirPort Software AirPort Extreme works with the AirPort software included on the AirPort Extreme CD.
Note: You must use AirPort Utility to set up this base station. The AirPort Extreme 802.11n Base Station is not compatible with previous versions of AirPort software. AirPort Utility AirPort Utility helps you set up your AirPort Extreme to create a wireless network, connect to the Internet, and share compatible USB printers and hard disks.
 Mac OS X v10.4 or later  AirPort Utility 5.2 or later To set up AirPort Extreme using a Windows PC, you need the following:  A Windows PC with 300 MHz or higher processor speed and a compatible 802.11 wireless card  Windows XP Home or Professional (with Service Pack 2 installed) or Windows Vista  AirPort Utility v5.
After you have connected the cables for all the devices you plan to use, connect the AC plug adapter to the power port, 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 plug the AirPort Extreme AC adapter into the wall, the status light flashes green for one second, and then glows amber while it starts up.
AirPort Extreme Status Light 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. If you choose Flash On Activity from the Status Light pop-up menu (on the Base Station pane of AirPort settings in AirPort Utility), the status light may flash green to indicate normal activity.
2 AirPort Extreme Networks 2 In this chapter you’ll find explanations of the different ways you can use AirPort Extreme. This chapter provides some 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. See Chapter 3, “Setting Up AirPort Extreme,” on page 20 to find out more about using AirPort Utility to help set up your network.
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 802.11a, 802.11b, 802.11g, and IEEE 802.11n draft specification 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 on a computer using Mac OS X, and in Start > All Programs > AirPort on a computer using Windows), select your base station, and then click Continue. 3 Follow the onscreen instructions to create a new network. (See “Setting Up AirPort Extreme” on page 20.
Using AirPort Extreme to Share a USB Printer When you connect a compatible USB printer to your AirPort Extreme, supported 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) or to a USB hub, using a USB cable. 2 Open AirPort Utility (located in the Utilities folder in the Applications folder on a computer using Mac OS X, and in Start > All Programs > AirPort on a computer using Windows), select your base station, and then click Continue. 3 Follow the onscreen instructions to create a new network if you have not already set up your network. To print from a computer using Mac OS X v10.2.
Using AirPort Extreme to Share USB Hard Disks When you connect a USB hard disk to your AirPort Extreme, computers on the network (wired and wireless) can access 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 on a computer using Mac OS X, and in Start > All Programs > AirPort on a computer using Windows), 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.
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 on a computer using Mac OS X, and in Start > All Programs > AirPort on a computer using Windows), 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 how 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 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 from the AirPort Extreme CD. On a Macintosh computer using Mac OS X v10.4 or later: 1 Open AirPort Utility, located in the Utilities folder in your Applications folder. 2 Select your base station and click Continue.
Creating a New Wireless Network You can use the setup assistant in AirPort Utility to create a new wireless network. The setup assistant guides you through the steps necessary to name your network, protect your network with a password, and set other options. If you plan to share a USB printer or USB hard disk on your network: 1 Connect the printer or hard disk to the AirPort Extreme USB port (d).
Use the setup assistant in AirPort Utility to enter your ISP settings and configure how AirPort Extreme shares the settings with other computers. 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.
Allowing Wireless Clients Access to Your Network If your network is password-protected using WPA Personal or WPA/WPA2 Personal, you can provide wireless clients access to your network without requiring them to enter the network password. When you allow a client access to your network, the client's name and wireless MAC address (or AirPort ID) are stored in the access control list of AirPort Utility until you remove them from the list.
Setting Advanced Options To set advanced options, you can use AirPort Utility to set up your AirPort Extreme manually. You can configure advanced base station settings, such as advanced security options, closed networks, DHCP lease time, access control, power controls, setting up user accounts, and more. 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.
4 Tips and Troubleshooting 4 You can quickly solve most problems with AirPort Extreme by following the advice in this chapter. You Can’t Connect to the Internet  Make sure your network settings are correct. Try connecting to the Internet directly from your computer. If you can’t connect to the Internet from your computer, check your network settings. If they appear to be correct and you still can’t connect, contact your ISP.  Make sure you are connecting to the correct wireless network.
 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).  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. 3 Open AirPort Utility (in the Utilities folder in the Applications folder on a Macintosh, and in Start > All Programs > AirPort on a computer using Windows XP).
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). AirPort Extreme resets with the following settings: Â AirPort Extreme receives its IP address using DHCP. Â The network name reverts to Apple Network XXXXXX (where XXXXXX is replaced with the last six digits of the AirPort ID). Â The base station password returns to public.
For more information about the reason the light flashes, open AirPort Utility, select your base station, and then choose Manual Setup from the Base Station menu. Click Base Station Status to display information about the flashing light. You can also select the “Monitor base station for problems” checkbox in AirPort preferences. If the base station has problems, AirPort Utility opens and walks you through solving the problems.
4 Turn the printer off, wait a few seconds, then turn it back on. Updating AirPort Software Apple periodically updates AirPort software. It is recommended that you update your AirPort Extreme to use the latest software. To download the latest version of AirPort software, go to www.support.apple.com/airport. You can select the “Check for updates when opening AirPort Utility” checkbox, or the “Check for updates” checkbox in AirPort preferences.
 If you place your AirPort Extreme in an entertainment center with your stereo equipment, avoid completely surrounding AirPort Extreme with audio, video, or power cables. Place your AirPort Extreme so that the cables are to one side. Maintain as much space as possible between AirPort Extreme and the cables.  Try to place your AirPort Extreme at least 25 feet from a microwave oven, 2.4 or 5 gigahertz (GHz) cordless phones, or other sources of interference.
5 Learning More, Service, and Support 5 You can find more information about using AirPort Extreme 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 it 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 Utility with AirPort Extreme, open AirPort Utility and choose Help > AirPort Utility 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.
AirPort Extreme Specifications  Frequency Band: 2.4 and 5 GHz  Radio Output Power: 20 dBm (nominal)  Standards: 802.11 DSSS 1 and 2 Mbps standard, 802.11a, 802.11b, 802.11g specifications, and a draft 802.11n specification Interfaces  1 RJ-45 10/100/1000Base-T Gigabit Ethernet WAN (<)  3 RJ-45 10/100/1000Base-T Gigabit Ethernet LAN (G)  Universal Serial Bus (USB d)  802.
Size and Weight  Length: 6.50 inches (165.0 mm)  Width: 6.50 inches (165.0 mm)  Thickness: 1.34 inches (34.0 mm)  Weight: 1.66 pounds (753 grams) Hardware Media Access Control (MAC) 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: 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.  Keep AirPort Extreme away from sources of liquids, such as drinks, washbasins, bathtubs, shower stalls, and so on.
Communications Regulation Information Wireless Radio Use This device is restricted to indoor use due to its operation in the 5.15 to 5.25 GHz frequency range to reduce the potential for harmful interference to cochannel Mobile Satellite systems. Cet appareil doit être utilisé à l’intérieur. Exposure to Radio Frequency Energy The radiated output power of this device is well below the FCC radio frequency exposure limits.
Important: Changes or modifications to this product not authorized by Apple Inc. could void the EMC compliance and negate your authority to operate the product. This product was tested for FCC compliance under conditions that included the use of Apple peripheral devices and Apple shielded cables and connectors between system components.
European Union—Disposal Information: This symbol means that according to local laws and regulations your product should be disposed of separately from household waste. When this product reaches its end of life, take it to a collection point designated by local authorities. Some collection points accept products for free.
www.apple.com/airport www.apple.
