Can an Airport Express convert a wireless signal to Ethernet?

I'm thinking this probably can't be done, but I figured I'd ask to verify. I know the manual says the Ethernet port on an Airport Express can only be used to connect to an existing network, but can it also convert the wireless signal to a wired one?
My Express is set to "Join a wireless network" so it essentially is extending my wireless network. I have a receiver that has an ethernet port for internet connectivity and I was hoping to use an ethernet cable between it and the Airport Express to join my network. Didn't appear to work.
I also have a Netgear WNCE2001 which is a WiFi Internet Adapter used for a different device. When I plugged that into the receiver, it was able to join the network. I was hoping to do the same with the Express. I have a 1st generation and it doesn't work. Wondering if later generations support that functionality? Thanks in advance!

but can it also convert the wireless signal to a wired one?
Yes, if you have an AirPort Express 802.11n and you configure it using manual setup to "Join a wireless network" and check mark the option to "enable Ethernet clients".
My Express is set to "Join a wireless network" so it essentially is extending my wireless network.
The "join" setting does not provide any additional wireless coverage in the area where the Express is located. But, you can connect a printer to the USB port and "enable" the Ethernet port with the 802.11n version of the Express.
I have a 1st generation and it doesn't work.
If by this, you mean that you have an older "b/g" AirPort Express....then it will not do what you want. Check the Model Number on the side of the device. If you have Model No A 1084 or A 1088, that is the older "b/g" wireless version of the Express.
The 802.11n version is Model No A 1264.

Similar Messages

Does a second airport express extend the wireless signal from the first?

After a long search on his forum and not finding an answer, this is my question:
I have a Time Capsule connected to a Speedtouch router/modem. The Time Capsule has its own network. Because of the distances in my house, I use an Airport Express to extend the wireless range for my MBP. This doesn't seem to be enough to cover the whole distance (app. 35 meter) there is poor or no connection. So, my question is: can I use a second AE to extend the range even further? Will it pick up the signal from the first AE or do all the AE's in use need to connect with the Time Capsule?
The first AE is app. 12 meter from the TC.
many thanks,
Inge

Welcome to the discussions!
The answer is yes and no.
No, if you are using the "extend a wireless network" feature because each AirPort Express communicates directly to the Time Capsule, not to another AirPort Express. It's like the hub and spokes on a wheel. The Time Capsule is the hub and the Express devices are at the ends of the spokes. The devices at the ends of the spokes communicate directly to the hub, not to another spoke.
Yes, if you are using the "WDS" feature because this type of setup allows a "main", "relay", and "remote" device to be configured. But, there is a big penalty with this type of system:
o The network will operate at "g" wireless speeds only
o The bandwidth on the network will drop 50% for each "relay" or "remote" device. So, with two devices, the first cuts half of the bandwidth. The second devices cuts half again. So, you are down to only 25% of the original bandwidth.

How to make 2nd Airport Express to broadcast wireless signal?

Hi im absolutely lost as to what to do. Currently I have an Airport Extreme which creates my network and two Air Port Express (APX 1 and 2) configured to extend my wireless network. The issue I have is that APX 2 will not broadcast the signal it gets from APX 1 and thus none of my wireless devices can connect to APX 2 even though the green light indicator shows on all the devices and in the Airport Utillity App. However if I move APX 2 within the signal range of the AE, only then will APX 2 broadcast a signal, and allowing my devices to connect to it. I would attempt to illustrate what I mean below, with Example A - showing APX 2 NOT broadcasting a signal and Example B- showing APX 2 broadcast a signal.
        Eg. A                                                      Eg. B
      Airport Extreme                                      Airport Extreme
        Airport X 1                                  APX1                     APX 2
        Airport X 2

The bottom line here is that the wireless signal can only be extended one time from the AirPort Extreme.....if you are trying to extend using wireless only.
Apple's "extend" feature works like the hub and spokes of a wheel. In your case, the AirPort Extreme would be the "hub" and AX1 and AX2 are located at the ends of two separate "spokes".
AX1 and AX2 communicate directly to the "hub"....not to another device at the end of another "spoke".
Another way of saying the same thing is that AX1 and AX2 must both be located closer to the AirPort Extreme than they are to each other if you want AX1 and AX2 to both "extend" the wireless signal.

Can an airport express be used as a wired ethernet out port?

I moved my cable boxes which require a wired Cat5 or Cat6 internet connection. Can I setup an airport express by connecting to my home internet wirelessly (via my airport extreme base station) then using the ethernet port on the express to provide a wired access point to my internet for my cable box without having to run a cat5/6 cable all the way from my internet router to the cable box? Or does the extreme only broadcast internet wirelessly?

It can be used as a bridge for ethernet. however, both performance and reliability is extremely bad.
Highly recommended running a wire to your new switch.

Can my Airport Express be used to extend the signal for an iPad2

I am using a Linksys wired router as the beginning of my home network. There is an ethernet cable running from it through a wall to the Xbox 360 and an Airport Express serving as the base for the wireless network. I have an iBook on the other side of the wall and about 10 feet and an iMac about 20 feet with one wall in between. These two have some fluctuation in their signal but only between 4 bars and 3. I just got an iPad 2 and it is causing me grief because it struggles to maintain a connection just another 10 feet from the iBook. If I put it next to the iMac when it has full 4 bars the iPad gets maybe 2. The iPad has full bars if next to the router. That kind of defeats the purpose of buying an iPad. So, my question is how to rearrange the network so the iPad is happy in the living room where I mostly use it. I had considered moving the iMac and using it as a base station to free the Airport Express for other duty but where I want to move it is further away from the living room. Right now the Airport is wired to the router. Is this necessary for it to be a part of the network? I know I can use it to get music from iTunes to speakers but would that placement also work as a wireless extender? Would just buying another router for the Xbox location and putting the Airport there also be a better solution?

ladybastet, let's clean up some terminology. You should designate only one router for your network. At present that is the Linksys. Your wireless access point is the Express, and it gets its network connection from the Linksys. Is that correct?
If I put it next to the iMac when it has full 4 bars the iPad gets maybe 2. The iPad has full bars if next to the router.
Now that you know your Linksys is the router, is the above correct? Unless the Linksys is also a wireless access point, the iPad's proximity to it will not matter. Only its proximity to the device creating the wireless network is a factor. In your case, I believe that is the Express.
There is an ethernet cable running from it through a wall to the Xbox 360 and an Airport Express serving as the base for the wireless network.
I'm not sure I understand. Is one Ethernet cable going to two places? What is it connected to, precisely?
Right now the Airport is wired to the router. Is this necessary for it to be a part of the network?
In the case of a wired router, yes.
I'm wondering if you have things configured properly, particularly if you have configured the iMac to share its network connection over AirPort. I'm even wondering if your iPad has unintentionally joined a neighbor's wireless network.
I had considered moving the iMac and using it as a base station to free the Airport Express for other duty but where I want to move it is further away from the living room.
Using the iMac to share a wired Ethernet connection to create its own wireless network is certainly possible, but it is less than ideal. For one, the iMac would have to be powered on all the time.
You do not need or want another router.
It is impossible for me to be certain of your network environment (meaning, the size and configuration of your home, the proximity of competing wireless networks, the number of network devices, and the potential for interference) but you might be better off replacing the wired Linksys router with an AirPort Extreme. That would give you the ability to create a "roaming network" or to use your Express to extend the Extreme's wireless network. I think this would be the easiest solution, but given the uncertainly of your description this expense may not be necessary.
Much of my confusion stems from your original question: "Can my Airport Express be used to extend the signal for an iPad2" - the quick answer is yes, but a prerequisite question is, "what signal?" The only "signal" I can determine that may be relevant is the one created by the Express. Once we have the terminology fixed, perhaps we can fix what's wrong with your network.

Can u run Airport Express and a wireless modem together?

Can u run Airport Express and a wireless modem together at the same time?
I'm using AE purely for music distribution and have just bought a wireless modem for the internet (not a AE). However I can now only select either the AE network, OR the wireless internet network (it's BT HomeHub). Hence I can either play music or use the internet, but not together!
Any ideas anyone..??
Thanx
David

You should configure your AirPort Express (AX) to join the wireless network provided by the modem. The instructions are in KB 302153, AirPort Express: How to join an existing wireless network in client mode.

How many airport express can I add to my network for the purpose of using the airport express to send audio signal to different rooms in the house? I'm interested I'm running about six different zones.

How many airport express can I add to my network for the purpose of using the airport express to send audio signal to different rooms in the house? I'm interested I'm running about six different zones.
What I'm looking to do is to have self powered in ceiling speakers in every room in my house with out having to run wires to every room to carry the audio signal. I would like to use the airport express to do the job of carting the audio signal.
Here's my set up now I have an airport extreme and one airport express that I use to carry audio to one room.

FWIW. I have used up to four AirPort Express Base Stations (AX) for streaming sucessfully in pretty much the way you have described. I didn't have a need to try more so I can't attest that more would or would not work.

Can't See Airport Express on my Wireless N/work

I have a D-Link DSL G604t router, and have spent hours trying to get it to "see" AE - no joy. I have added the MAC Address to the enabled access list but still nothing - everytime I scan for it, it cannot be found. My Compaq l/top connects no problem to the network, and I cannot find any answers in the manual. Only trying to send itunes to my hifi - don't need to share connections or printers.
Dell Optiplex Windows XP Pro

Hi:
I had a similar problem with a DLink DI-624 wireless router and AirPort Express afew months ago. Here is what you can do.
As an intermediate step, which is undocumented but I found necessary, connect your Airport Express to the wireless router via an Ethernet cable. After the wired connection, your router will definitely see AirPort Express. Then you can go through the normal network registration process. Once this is complete, you can then power off Airport Express and disconnect it from the router and then place it where you originally intended. Once the solid green light comes on (30-60 seconds), you should be able to access AirPort Express the way it was intended, in a wireless manner.
Again, this worked for me after hours of unsuccessful struggling with the installation process as described in the Apple documentation. I hope this helps.
Lawrence

My wifi is not too strong in one room, can I use an Airport Express to boost the signal?

I have an Airport Base Station but the signal is only one or two bars at one end of my house. Can I use an Airport Express to boost the signal?
Also the AE I have is an older model and I can't get Mountain Lion to talk to it. How can I get around this?

Also the AE I have is an older model and I can't get Mountain Lion to talk to it. How can I get around this?
You might want to look over this article:
http://www.macworld.com/article/1167965/mountain_lion_and_the_ancient_airport_ba se_station.html

I have tryed to connect an AirPort Express to my wireless network. But I alwais get the errocode -4. Can anybody help. I have reset the AirPort Express and updated the software.

I have tryed to connect an AirPort Express to my wireless network. But I alwais get the errocode -4. Can anybody help. I have reset the AirPort Express and updated the software.

The ZyXEL P-2601HN-F1, as you know, is a combination DSL modem & 802.11n wireless router (or gateway device).
For your goal you will want to take a look at this Apple Support article for details on how to configure an AX for iTunes.
If you are still having difficulties with the AX joining the ZyXEL's wireless network, you can try the following:
Temporarily disable wireless encryption.
If you are hidding the SSID, disable that feature.
Change the Mode Select setting to: 802.11g Only
Change the Channel Selection from "Auto" to a set channel, like 1, 6, or 11

Can airport express output a digital signal to feed a separate audio DAC?

Can airport express output a digital signal to feed a separate audio DAC?

Yes. To access the digital output from the AirPort Express Base Station's (AX) audio port, you will need to connect a mini-TOSlink digital optical cable.

Can and Airport Express be used as a wireless adapter for a computer?

Or to rephrase - Can an Airport Express that's connected to an existing wireless network wirelessly let a computer without a wireless adapter connect by plugging the computer's ethernet into the Express ethernet?
This would turn the Express into a fairly stupid and expensive wireless adapter, I'm sure, but it might be a handy trick in a pinch.
Thanks
MJ

Yes. For example, with the latest "n" version, if you update to firmware 7.3.1, you can set it to "Join a wireless network" and tick the box "Allow Ethernet clients". This will do as you describe.
This works for me with a PC that is both a Windows box (XPsp3) and a Linux box (OpenSUSE 10.3).
However, I am less than enamored with my Express in this mode. It has frequent disconnects, when the thing just looses the wireless connection for some reason. If you are in the US, there may be other options you want to consider - or wait until a 7.3.2 update and hope that it fixes the general unreliability f the current Express. Here in UK, there are few other options.

How to Connect Airport Express to Existing Wireless Network (Client Mode)

I am posting this for everyone tearing their hair out trying to connect the Airport Express to your own existing home wireless network. After spending 2 hours last night installing this on my father-in-law's home network, I hope to be able to save someone else the agony we went through.
So here's the situation:
Say you already have your own home network set up, and all you want is to be able to use AirTunes to play music off iTunes into your speaker system. And, you don't need the printer sharing capability nor creation of another wireless network (2 of the features of Airport Express). Then this solution is for you - read on.
Unfortunately, Apple's user manual is very unclear how to connect Airport Express to your own network. When you look at the picture diagram they provide, they show Airport Express picking up its signal from another Apple-oriented base. This can make you think you need to buy another piece of hardware to make it work. DON'T If you read through the manual, the Support section here, etc., you will hear lots of talk about "Client Mode" - and that this is the only way to get it to work. Nice - but no one really tells you how to set up the Airport in client mode.
Do yourself a favor, toss that user manual aside and run these steps.
(Note: These directions assume your DSL/Cable Modem is hooked up to a wireless router or acts as its own wireless router)
1. Get a cat5 Ethernet cable (anything but an orange cable - that's a crossover cable) like you would use to connect your PC to your router to pick up the Internet.
2. Connect the Ethernet cable to the router on one end, and to the Airport Express unit on the other end.
3. Plug in your Airport Express unit to the wall (this will not necessarily become its permanent location - you will be able to move it later). The light will glow solid Amber for about 30-45 seconds while it starts up, then blink Amber. At this point, the unit is ready to operate.
4. Install the CD to the PC where your iTunes music is stored. This should be painless. Once you open the program, it should detect the Airport unit.
5. At this point, the on-screen wizard will present you with your options, and walk you through the setup. This is much like the user manual describes - and you should be good to go form here forward.
Some pointers:
- When asked if you want to create a new network, join an existing network, or connect via Ethernet, choose the middle option for joining an existing network. You will need to know the name of your network, the password to connect to the network (if present), and the type of encryption used on the network (e.g. WEP, WPA, etc.). Side note, WPA is recommended, as it is a higher level of security than WEP. You will be able to configure the Airport Express unit to automatically login to your network.
- I would recommend, when creating a password for the Airport Express unit, use the same password as your network, to avoid confusion.
6. The very last step will ask you to save the settings to the Airport Express. Here's the kicker - when you save the settings, you are TRICKING the Airport Express into no longer acting as a network broadcaster, but instead being a "slave" to your own network. What do I mean? You will lose the connection from your PC to the Airport Express - an error message will pop up telling you the unit can no longer be found. While you might think you did something wrong, you actually were successful!
7. Unplug your Airport Express, and disconnect the Ethernet cable from your router and the Airport unit. This will no longer be needed.
8. Go to your desired location where you want to plug in your Airport Express unit. Before plugging it in, connect your Audio cable from the Airport Express to your audio receiver. Once that is connected, then plug in the Airport Express unit. The light will glow solid Amber for 30-45 seconds while it loads, and then will blink Amber for a brief period of time before turning solid GREEN. When this happens, you have successfully connected the Airport Express to your home network!
9. Go back to your PC with iTunes. Open the Airport software - you should now have a listing for your Airport Express unit in the upper left. Click on this, and the wizard will guide you through connecting - you will need the password you created for the unit. You only need to go through this wizard once, and when finished, the software will tell you that can now use iTunes with your Airport unit.
10. Open iTunes. On the lower right, you will see a dropdown for Speakers, and it should be defaulted to My Computer. Click on that drop-down, and you will see the name of your Airport unit. Click on that name, and now your music will broadcast to the Airport unit!
11. Play a song in iTunes. Go to your audio receiver, and connect it to the channel for your external connection to the Airport Express unit. You should hear your music from iTunes. CONGRATULATIONS! =)
I hope these instructions were helpful - I am happy to answer any questions, so feel free to contact me, *******************@*****.**.
<Edited by Moderator>

Thanks for the detailed directions. You are absolutely correct in stating that people should toss the user manual; it's pretty worthless. I have had a problem setting up my new Airport Express as I have described in an earlier post - http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=1839873&tstart=45
One quick question - does using your setup process set the AE up as part of a distributed network where the AE is acting as a wireless router where it is extending the range of your network? Or, is it simply a wireless connection to your stereo for iTunes? I am interested in having both, since my AE will be at the other end of the house from the main wireless router.
Thanks

I cannot get my Airport Express to accept wireless clients.

I cannot get my Airport Express to accept wireless clients. After resetting to factory default and reconfiguring, it works briefly but then stops again.
The Airport Express is on the second floor of my house and is seen by Airport Utility. Using a LAN cable with the Express works no problem.
My network is created by an Airport Extreme (ground floor) and extended by a Time Capsule (first floor)
Have run through all settings repeatedly and as I said I can get it to work briefly by resetting and then reconfiguring, but after a short while again my iOS devices can no longer connect and revert to cellular.

I cannot get my Airport Express to accept wireless clients. After resetting to factory default and reconfiguring, it works briefly but then stops again.
The Airport Express is on the second floor of my house and is seen by Airport Utility. Using a LAN cable with the Express works no problem.
My network is created by an Airport Extreme (ground floor) and extended by a Time Capsule (first floor)
The issue is most likely due to the fact that the AirPort Express may be too far from the AirPort Extreme to properly extend it with enough bandwidth to be useful.
It is important to understand that with Apple 802.11n or 802.11ac base station an extended network works in a wheel-like fashion with the base station to be extended at the hub and each extending base station along one of the spokes. This type of configuration does not allow for daisy chaining the base stations. That is, in your case, both the Time Capsule and AirPort Express are attempting to extend the AirPort Extreme.
Each extending base station must be within a certain signal quality range in order to extend the network properly. Please check out the following AirPort User tip for details.

Airport Express has very weak signal even to the next room

I am wondering why my airport express has a weak signal. The signal to the next room(about 4 or 5 meters away), is so weak that you can only see one or 2 lines from the graphic at the internet connect. My base station has the last firmware from apple. Has anybody else experiencing this problem or knows what could be wrong?
Mac mini G4 1.25, iMac G5 2.0, MacBook 2.0, iPod 20Gb, iPod nano 4Gb, iPod 30Gb Mac OS X (10.4.7)

I have tried changing channels, I have tried using interference robustness but nothing seems to work. Isn't it so wierd thought that in the same room within 1 meter distance, the signal becomes from strong to weak, to zero?? The funny part also is that when i change channel for a few seconds the signal is very strong until it drops to zero. When i try another wireless device doesn't seem to have this problem but only with airport express base.

Can an Airport Express convert a wireless signal to Ethernet?

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