I have a Westell 6100G modem. I want to set up Airport Express for wireless. Can someone tell me how to do it step by step. I'm using an HP with Windows Vista. I'm a tech idiot.

Question

Just got Airport Express to save on GBs of data.  I have already a Westell 6100G which is for use as Internet Broadband, via Verizon.  How do I set up the Airport Express with this Westell.  Do I even still need the Westell, or do I need to also buy a wireless router?  I'm a tech idiot and this is driving me nuts.

Answer 1

The Westell 6100G is a combination modem and router or gateway device. The AirPort Express is a wireless router.
Since the Express does not have a built-in modem, you will still need your Westell gateway in order to access the Internet.
Which exact model of AirPort Express do you have. It will be written (in very hard to read type on a label on one of the AirPort's sides). It should look something like: A1392. It may also state a Order#. In that case it would look something like: MC414LL/A
Regardless of which model you have, the basic network configuration would be that you would connect an Ethernet cable between the Westell's Ethernet port and the WAN (circle of dots) port on the Express. (Note: If you have an earlier model of the Express, you would connect the cable to the only Ethernet port on the Express.)
The good news is that you will not have to make any configuration changes to the Westell. We should be able to use it as configured.
What we are going to start with is getting a basic Wi-Fi network that should provide your computer with wireless access to the Internet. Once verified as working, we can fine-tune this network to include wireless security and any other goals that you may have.
Ready to start?
I would recommend that you do the following as a minimum:
Power-down the Westell and computer(s).
While all of the devices are powered-down, perform a "factory default" reset on the AirPort Express base station. This will get it back to its "out-of-the-box" configuration and make setting it up much easier, especially if you use the "Assist me" process within the AirPort Utility. (ref: Resetting an AirPort Base Station or Time Capsule)
Once the reset has completed, remove the AirPort Express from power.
Connect an Ethernet cable between the Westell and the AirPort Express.
Power-up the Westell; wait at least 10-15 minutes to allow it adequate time to initialize.
Power-up the AirPort base station; wait at least 5-10 minutes. Note: The AirPort's status light may continue to flash amber after it has intialized. That is because, there may be some additional configuration items necessary, like setting up wireless security, before the overall setup is completed to get a green status.
Power-up your computer(s).
In this basic configuration, the AirPort base station will broadcast an unsecured wireless network with a Network Name (SSID) of Apple Network NNNNNN. Network clients, connected to the base station either by wire or wireless, should now be able to access the Internet through the ISP's modem. Once Internet connectivity has been verified, you can use the AirPort Utility to configure the base station for wireless security and any other desired options. Please post back your results.