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.

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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 the Airport Express be used as a wireless bridge?

I just purchased an Xbox 360 and I wanted to be able to play games online. I have an aiport extreme connected to my dsl box in my office, while the Xbox is in my room. Any suggestions?

An Express can be used as a Wireless to Ethernet bridge providing it is used with another Airport Extreme/Express. You set-up WDS (Wireless Distribution System) between the two Airports. The console can then be connected to the Ethernet port and be on the network as if it were directly connected.

Can the airport express be used to stream music and act as network "extender" at the same time?

I have a time capsule as my base station but need to improve network coverage in the other end of the house. Have a new airport express that I use for music streaming. Can this airport express be used for both music streaming and "network extension" at the same time, or do I need to buy another product?

Yes, it can. You can either:
Extend a wireless network. The Express needs to be positioned half way between the TC and the area without network coverage, and can be flakey. This is wireless only.
Use Ethernet/Powerline. This is the preferred option (called a roaming network in Apple terminology). This allows for the Express to be placed wherever you want, as long as it reaches the other end of the house.

Can I get a wireless adapter for my computer then wire my Xbox from that?

Hi everyone. I live in an apartment next door to my shop and we have internet there so i hooked up a wireless when I moved in so I wouldnt have to put internet in my apt to. I get signal because the building isnt that far away but it is alittle weak. I want to get a wireless adapter for the computer but i was wondering if i could get one that my xbox will connect to. Can you guys give me some advice.

Hi you can get wireless adapter WUSB300N for the desktop or WPC300N for the laptop.Both, work great with the wireless router WRT300N.I advice you to open setup page of router using 192.168.1.1 for doing the wireless settings where the wide channel set to 20 MHZ frequency & standard channel set it to 11.Also, if you wnat to enable wireless security make sure you choose WPA as it works great with the N - series linksys products ie., with the WRT300N router & N - series adapters.

Hotel WiFi and Airport Express to use printer wirelessly

Hi, Last year I stayed in this hotel which had Ethernet internet access in every room. I had no problem setting up two Airport Express to access the internet, my printer and play music from iTunes. This summer the hotel now has wireless access and I can't get this all to work. Any help will be appreciated.
Jean

You will need to configure your Airport Express to join the existing wireless network (client mode), however this will only work if you don't need to login or authenticate via a browser or similar.
Then you will need to configure your Mac to join the wireless network as well.
You will then be able to print and use AirTunes (as will everyone else on the wireless network).
iFelix

Can an older Round Airport Extreme and Airport Express be used on my home WIFI network?

I recently upgraded my Macbook Pro to a newer one because I was having problems with the older one getting on my home WIFI network. It had been dropped, but had continued working without any hiccups for five or six months. Suddenly it won't go online. It said there was no WIFI hardwae installed. I suspect that the WIFI antenna connection between the main bdy and the display failed. Repair options at the Apple Store were iffy, so I just baought the new one. My Time Machine backup smoothly cloned my old machine onto the new one.
In the "when it rains it pours" category, my Airport Extreme also failed at the same time I began having problems with the old laptop. Suspecting the hardware was the problem after checking with my ISP, I purchased a new Airport Express at Best Buy. Using it, I got my WIFI network back up and running. That's why I figured there was a problem with the older Airport Extreme. The Airport Extreme was replaced by an Apple Genius at the store, when I purchased the new laptop. Putting my Home WIFI network back together with the new AE, went fine, but it turned up another problem. I use an older (pre-N speed) Airport Express to link a YAMAHA digital piano wirelessly to my WIFI. It can go online directly and download music. I can also push my iTunes wirelessly through the piano's amplifier and speakers for great sounding stereo. The problem is my new AE won't recognize my older Airport Express. I tryied downloading the Airport Utility v. 5.6 as suggested online, but It still won't find the Airport Express hooked up to the piano.
Is there any way to update my earlier Airport Express and also an older Airport Extreme (round)? The Airport Utility v.5.6 won't recognize them and initialize them. Any ideas? I repurposed the new Airport Express I bought to seerve my printer, allowing me to disconnect the USB cable from my iMac. That's working fine, except my HP OfficeJet Pro 8500 now won't give me two sided printing anymore. It always something!
Network consists of:
20" Mid 2007 iMac running Mac OS Lion 10.7.4
New 15" MacBook Pro running Mac OS Lion 10.7.4
HP Officejet Pro 8500 All-in-one Printer
New Airport Extreme attached to DSL Modem
New Airport Express wirelessly attaching my Printer to the network
Old Airport Express (A/B/G) connecting my Yamaha Digital piano (NOT WORKING)
Old Airport Extreme (round) (NOT WORKING)

Bob,
Thanks for your help. At this point, I'm seriously considering replacing the older "g" AX with a new "n" model. For whatever reason, each time I've tried to bring the ols AX bcak online in my network, it only managed to screw up my network. Using the Airport Utility 5.6 for Lion, I was able to get a green light on the AX, but it still would not go online from my Yamaha digital piano control panel, like it always did before.
Using AUtil 6.0, everything else works, and I'm assuming that setup with a new "n" speed AX, my piano will be able to get back onlune, too. When I originally set up the AX to link the piano to my WIFI network, I had very little trouble getting it setup. YAMAHA didn't list the Apple AX in it's list of compatible wireless routers/adapters, but I saw no reason that it wouldn't work. As I said it was a reasonably easy setup the first time, and it has worked for several years with no problems.
It's not the cost of buying the new AX that bugs me, it's the fact that I can't figure out why it won't work now when it did before. It was working fine with my old AE based WIFI network, even after upgrading the my computers to the Lion OS. I used to be reasonably savvy with Apple technology, having spent the last 15 years of my teaching career (1987-2001) as the tech liason for the schools where I worked, supporting first Apple II's, then Macs, and networked buildings. After eleven years of retirement, I find it harder and harder to keep up as the technology just keeps evolving. I'm trying, but it's not easy! Any and all help is appreciated!

Can an Airport Express be used to extend the range of my Comcast wireless gateway?

We recently moved to a big old brick and stone farmhouse. When Comcast came they installed their new wireless gateway. Unfortunately the construction of my house is pretty solid. It effectively blocks the signal at the far end on the second floor. I've been trying to use an Airport Express, newest model, to extend the range of my network. Using the Airport Utility, it seems like it connects but the signal is no better. Does the Airport Express only work as a range extender on Apple wireless devices, or am I missing something when I use the Airport Utility to set up the extended network?

The AirPort Express can extend the wireless signal from the Comcast gateway if it is permanently connected to the gateway using a wired Ethernet connection, and the Express is configured to create a wireless network using the same name and password as the Comcast wireless network.
The Express cannot wirelessly extend the signal from the Comcast gateway, since the wireless "extend" feature will only work with other Apple routers.
The Express can "join" the wireless network provided by the Comcast gateway for use with AirPlay or a remote printer at the USB port, but when the Express "joins" a network, it does not provide any additional wireless signal coverage in that setting.

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 an Airport Express be used to transmit directly from a preamp to an amp

I wish to connect my stereo system to a remote amp powering ceiling speakers about 50 ft away from the main system. Is there a way to put one Airport Express on the amp for receiving the signal and another on the preamp output RCA plugs.

If your need to use the AirPort Express Base Station (AX) to extend the motorpark's wireless, then the answer (most likely) is no. This is because, unless the motorpark's Wi-Fi router is another AirPort, most non-AirPort routers are not compatible to do so.
However, if your intent is just to add the AX as a wireless client, for streaming iTunes and/or share a USB printer, then it may be possible if you know the Network Name (SSID) and encryption password (if one is used) of the router you are connecting to.,

Can an Airport Express be used to extend the range of an existing Airport Extreme?

I would like to extend the range of my existing Airport Extreme. If I connect an Airport express to my existing network will it rebroadcast the WiFi signal and therefore exrtend the overall range?

If I connect an Airport express to my existing network will it rebroadcast the WiFi signal and therefore exrtend the overall range?
The AirPort Express 802.11n can do this if it is located where it can receive a strong signal from the AirPort Extreme in order to "extend" it.

Can an airport express be used as a home plug.

Can I use the Ethernet port on my a e as a homeplug

When you say "homeplug", if you are referring to Ethernet over Powerline, or EOP, the answer would be no.
However, if you had a separate EOP adapter, you could connect an Ethernet cable from the adapter to the AirPort Express.

How can I connect my Apple TV and Airport Express to the rest of the network for the least lag?

Hey guys,
I have an Airport network here in the office. All new Airport Extremes. The internet comes into one, which then connects to our switches, which then connects to other Airport Extremes over ethernet. Everything is setup to create its own network with the same SSID, and only the leader is the DHCP server.
I recently added an Apple TV to the network, only it was too laggy for video chat. I bought an Airport Express (for the audio), and ran ethernet to connect it to the network and the Apple TV, but things were still slow.
Now, I set the Airport Express up as a DHCP server (with NAT) itself, with a separate SSID, and it's working great. The only problem is that people would rather not have to switch wifi networks. Is there any way around this? BTW, the AirEx is complaining about Double NAT, which I understand is happening, but it's still working fine... it's really just the having to switch networks that's a problem for us.
Thanks!

Hi - as you probably know, double NAT is not recommended - you might have problems with some websites and updating - but if it is working that is great - as far as the Wi-Fi issue is concerned, you should still be able to create a wireless network with the same name an password as the rest of your network so no one has to switch.

Can an airport express be used to connect to things other than apple products?

I have not yet bought this product, but I was wondering if it will only connect to apple products or other products for example my PS3?

Yes, if you have an AirPort Express 802.11n. If you are not sure, look on the side of the device for the Model Number. You want to see # A1264.
This also assumes that the AirPort Express is located at a point where it can receive a strong signal from the Time Capsule.

Help using powerbook as wireless adapter for Xbox 360

Ok I need help partially opening my NAT. I have a Linksys WRT54G. And I play on Xbox Live a lot. The other day I moved the xbox into my living room where our new tv is and then I hooked my G4 Powerbook up to the xbox and did internet sharing because I have no internet connection in there besides wireless. Whenever I use a wired connection on the xbox is says my NAT is open. But whenever I use my laptop it says my NAT is Moderate, and it makes it hard to get into any games. I don't want to chip out the money for a $100 microsoft adapter because I will rarely play xbox in their. So how do I go about opening up the NAT the rest of the way.
http://www.ofzenandcomputing.com/zanswers/61 there is how I did it, but I setup the xbox with a static IP
On my router I have ports 88 and 3074 open which make the NAT open on wired connection. So I am thinking I may need to open those ports on the laptop itself? I am not sure if I can open ports on the laptop for outgoing connections.
Thanks for the help!

A wireless router is a device which requires its own wired internet connection. A wireless router is not a wireless access point like the Linksys WAPs. A wireless router does not connect wireless to other wireless routers/APs with standard Linksys firmware. With Linksys firmware you need a WAP54G or similar. The WAPs support wireless bridging and repeater mode.
If you already have a WRT54GL then you have to install a 3rd party firmware which adds wireless bridging capabilities. Read the wikipedia article on "WRT54G" for information about which WRT models support 3rd party firmware and an overview of projects and links.
Remember, however, that you may brick your router if you install a 3rd party firmware incorrectly and you probably void the warranty if you install 3rd party firmware (it is even possible to find out after you restore the original Linksys firmware if you don't clear the NVRAM before).

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

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