What the **** is the USB port for on the back of the Airport Extreme?

Over the year, I have plugged various printers and USB hubs into the back of my Airport Extreme, but nothing ever happens. Is it just there for looks?

Simply plugging things in there won't make them work.
For example, with any printer, you have to install it using Print & Scan in your System Preferences folder.
With a hard drive, you have to make sure that it is formatted correctly and settings are correct in AirPort Utility.
Please provide some specifics.....what device(s) you are trying to use....make and model numbers...and what troubleshooting steps you have already tried, etc.

Similar Messages

  • I have a current 2TB Time Capsule. I would like to add more ethernet ports for needed expansion. Will an Airport Extreme conflict with the Time Capsule for needed ethernet ports and will wireless from both units conflict?

    I own a current 2TB Time Capsule and I need to expand my network system to include more ethernet (wired) ports. I am considering an Airport Extreme that would give me enough wired ports. Will the wireless capabilities of both units conflict with each other? I only need one wireless network. Thank you for any help.

    While you could certainly add an AirPort Extreme to provide additional Ethernet ports, you could also save about $150 by purchasing an inexpensive switch, such as one of these:
    http://www.amazon.com/D-Link-DGS-1005G-5-Port-Gigabit-Desktop/dp/B003X7TRWE/
    http://www.amazon.com/TRENDnet-Unmanaged-GREENnet-Auto-Negotiation-Auto-MDIX/dp/ B001QUA6R0/
    Consumer grade Ethernet switches typically come in five and eight port configurations. Just be aware that a five port switch only conveys the ability to add three additional devices. An eight port switch conveys the ability to add six additional devices.
    An 8 port switch provides twice the capacity of a 5 port switch for considerably less than twice the cost. The price difference between the two is often only $10 or so.
    I just checked, the 8 port version of the Trendnet switch above costs exactly $4 more.
    An AirPort Extreme is a very flexible full featured wireless router, and would provide three additional LAN ports for wired devices. If all you need is a few more ports though, it's overkill.

  • Splitting the Time Capsule USB port for 2 devices ??

    So if i have and external HD plugged into tc usb port and I also need to plug in a netflix ready blue ray player to the same port- is there a splitter I can buy to do this or what other options do i have?
    I have an extra airport extreme I am not using-could I run an ethernet cord to it and use that usb port for my second device without and problems?
    Thx

    First, yes it is possible to attach multiple devices to the TC's USB port. You will need a USB hub though. Some users have discovered that not all hubs are compatible with the TCs USB port. So you may need to shop around if the first one doesn't work.
    However, the USB port on the TC is designed primarily to handle external HDs or printers. That is, it is designed to make them available to your local network, not to the internet. So I have doubts that the BR player will be able to have full interest access via the TCs USB port.
    See this KB article:
    http://support.apple.com/kb/HT2421
    Hope this clarifies things a bit. Cheers!

  • What's the most recent opinion about Time Machine backups to Hard Drives connected to the USB port on the Airport Extreme Base Station (5th generation)?

    I have been searching the Apple communities and Internet for a final answer.  I just bought an Airport Extreme Base Station (5th generation) and LaCie d2 quadra 1TB external drive as a replacement for TWO failed Time Capsules, neither of which Apple would replace due to failed power supplies.  I formatted the 1TB drive using Disk Utility (Mac OS extended (journaled)) from my MacBook Pro, and then plugged into the Airport Extreme Base Station USB port.  The Airport Extreme Base Station see the Hard Drive, and my MacBook Pro sees the Hard Drive in my finder under shared resources.  Time Machine, however, does not see the drive.  Is there a solution for this problem?  If Time Machine will not work, is there another software product out there that will work, like Carbon Copy.  Having to plug the backup drive into the USB port of your laptop every evening kind of defeats the purpose of having a laptop.  Any suggestions would be appreciated.

    Keeping in mind that this is not supported by Apple, I have been successful at doing the following:
    1) Format the entire drive (1 Partition) as Mac Extended (Journaled). You must click in Options and set it as a GUID Partition Table (first option)
    2) Plug drive via USB to AEBS
    3) Using Airport Utility, use Manual Setup, then under Disks, select the new Disk and click File Sharing, then Enable File Sharing and Secured Shared Disks (recommended, of course). Other settings are up to you.
    4) IMPORTANT: you will NOT see this Disk in Time Machine until you open Finder and double-click on it. You will not need to do this again (hopefully).
    5) Now it should appear in Time Machine. Remember to exclude any large files like Virtual Machines, since they will be re-backed-up (is that a word?) every time it changes in any way.
    6) Remember that the first backup (over WiFi) is the longest. Leave the computer alone during this period.
    Good luck, and let us all know how it went for you!

  • Icannot get my pcs to see the external hard drive when I attatch it to the usb port of the airport extreme.  They do recognize a thumb drive but will not see the external hard drive.  What do I need to do.  The ext hard drive is a "MY PASSPORT" with no pw

    I need assistance getting my windows computers to see my external harddrive attached to the airport extreme.  It is a my passport.  The disk shows on the airport utilitiy but neither of my pcs can see it.  If i connect a simple thumb dirve they see it just fine.
    What do i need to do to get this to work.  There is no password on the external hard drive at the moment.  I tried removing it to see if that would work.

    There are a number of posts related to access issues between Windows Vista / 7 and AirPort Disks. Two potential solutions being forwarded are: 1) Changing the LAN Manager authentication level, and/or 2) Disabling the Windows Search feature.
     To change the LAN Manager authentication level:
    From the Windows Vista / 7 desktop, click Start
    Search for: security
    Click 'Local Security Policy'
    Goto Local Policies > Security Options
    Under Policy, double-click 'Network security: LAN Manager authentication level'
    Change level to: Send LM & NTLM responses
    Under Policy, double-click 'Network security: Minimum session security for NTLM SSP based (including RPC) clients'
    De-select 'Require 128-bit encryption'
    Click OK
     To disable Windows Search:
    Start > Control Panel > Programs > Programs & Features
    On the right-hand side, click "Turn Windows features on/off"
    Scroll down, and de-select "Windows Search".
    Press OK, close all windows and restart.
     A third "solution," that has worked for me, is verify that both the AirPort base station and the Win7 PC are using the exact same Workgroup Name. In my case, I use "WORKGROUP" (without the quote marks) for this name. From the AirPort Utility, you would enter this value on the Disks > File Sharing tab. On Win7, Start > Control Panel > System and Security > System > Change Settings > Change > Workgroup

  • After updating latest security update for my OSX 10.7.5 one of my usb port is not working now.how do i know what is cause that usb port is not working after security update

    one of usb port in my macbook pro havent work after i ve updated latest security update for osx 10.7.5, how do i know what is cause that usb port is good or bad

    On a Mac running v10.7.2, the only way to reinstall Safari is to reinstall OS X using OS X Recovery.
    Safari 5.1.1 is for Snow Leopard. It will not run on a Mac with v10.7 installed.

  • How can I get two hard drives connected to the Airport Extreme. There's only 1 USB port.

    I believe I want to use TWO USB Hard Drives with my Airport Extreme, but it seems there is only 1 USB port.
    I am currently using that USB port for my backup external hard drive (works with Time Machine). But now I have decided I want a common hard drive for music, photos, etc. for the two Macs in my home to share. I read that you do that via the same port.
    What should I do? Is there a way to use 2 hard drives - a common shared and one for time machine?
    Please advise and thank you!

    singer777 wrote:
    I believe I want to use TWO USB Hard Drives with my Airport Extreme, but it seems there is only 1 USB port.
    Use a (powered) USB hub.
    I am currently using that USB port for my backup external hard drive (works with Time Machine).
    I hate to have to tell you this, but backing-up that way is unreliable and not supported by Apple.   See:  Using Time Machine with an Airport Extreme Air Disk.

  • Can I connect a 4 TB USB drive to the airport extreme and use it as a network drive for Time Machine

    Can I connect a 4 TB USB drive to the airport extreme and use it as a network drive for Time Machine

    Yes, if the drive is formatted in Mac OS Extended (Journaled).
    The USB port on the Time Capsule is under powered, so you may need use a powered USB hub with the 4 TB drive...even if it has its own power supply.

  • Can't use my HP Deskjet F4580 Wireless Printer with the AirPort Extreme Base. The printer is NOT connected at the USB port of the AirPort Extreme, and is placed in another room. It worked just fine with my previous router (Linksys WRT54G). Help me!

    Hey Guys!
    I just got my AirPort Extreme Base, but I can't use my HP Deskjet F4580 wireless printer with it.
    The printer is not connected to the AirPort Extreme's USB port. It is placed in another room, and I'd like to use it (the printer) wirelessly (not connected to the USB port os the AirPort Extreme), as I used to. There is no place for the printer close the AirPort Extreme. It worked just fine with my previous wireless router (Linksys WRT54G). I'm very disappointed with the AirPort Extreme Base Station because of that!...
    Can you help me? Please?!
    Thanks Folks!

    This must be a tough one, no suggestions at all.

  • What is the proper config for the Airport Extreme when a Voice over IP device is between the cable modem and the router.

    What is the proper config for the Airport Extreme when a Voice over IP device is between the cable modem and the router.  Its a VoIPo device. The cable modem is connected to the VoIP WAN port and the LAN port on the device feeds the Airport Extreme.  The VOIP is working fine, and my Mac are getting 10. addresses from the Airport Extreme.  But I do get confict messages and lose my connection periodicaly.  Looking for help.

    Its a VoIPo device.
    Per chance, is this device the Grandstream HT502?

  • HT1688 I have a honda civic with USB port which allows play back of my old iPhone 4 and 4s.  With the new iPhone 5 the radio shows the phone is conected but does not show any music content.

    I have a honda civic with USB port which allows play back of my old iPhone 4 and 4s.  With the new iPhone 5 the radio shows the phone is conected but does not show any music content.  Any Suggestions?

    You should be syncing your contacts with an app on your computer or cloud service (iCloud, Gmail, Yahoo, etc), and not relying on a backup.  If you haven't been doing this, start now and then restore your old backup.  You will then be able to sync the new contacts back into the phone.  However, you will lose all messages, etc newer thant the backup.

  • What is the username and password for the airport extreme router

    I just switched from a wired router to an airport extreme and im trying to access the router information by typing in my router into the search bar of safari, when I used my old router the username and password was admin, admin. but this isnt the case with the airport extreme, does anyone know what the username and password combination is for airport extreme?

    Unlike routers from most other manufacturers, Apple's Airport devices cannot be configured using a web browser pointed to the IP address of the Base Station. Any manual configuration of the Airport Base Station must be done using the Airport Admin Utility provided by Apple.
    FYI, when using the Airport Admin Utility the default password for the Airport Base Station is the word "public".

  • How to add a port for a IP cam in the airport extreme setting? thx!

    I has buy a IP cam, but I don't know how to add a port for a IP cam in the airport extreme setting? (I can see the IP cam in local, but not the internet.) Many Thanks!

    atwoodjordan, Welcome to the discussion area!
    See Steve Newstrum's user tip "How do I use Port Mapping (Part I)". When it talks about giving your Mac a static IP address just substitute camera instead.

  • Wifi problem: I have a airport wifi the small one with one port for modem. My Problem is airport wifi works fine however when I power off my IMac then power it up later on It does not show a connection I then have to manual do it my self it's a pain and n

    I have a airport wifi the small one with one port for modem. My Problem is airport wifi works fine however when I power off my IMac then power it up later on It does not show a connection I then have to manual do it my self it's a pain and never happened before I have tried resetting the airport unit but still no luck please help.
    Thank you
    Roy from malden

    Hi Roy, this has worked for a few...
    Make a New Location, Using network locations in Mac OS X ...
    http://support.apple.com/kb/HT2712
    10.7 & 10.8…
    System Preferences>Network, top of window>Locations>Edit Locations, little plus icon, give it a name.
    10.5.x/10.6.x/10.7.x instructions...
    System Preferences>Network, click on the little gear at the bottom next to the + & - icons, (unlock lock first if locked), choose Set Service Order.
    The interface that connects to the Internet should be dragged to the top of the list.
    Instead of joining your Network from the list, click the WiFi icon at the top, and click join other network. Fill in everything as needed.

  • What is the AC classification (1200 - 3200) for the AirPort Extreme?

    WHat is the AC classification (1200 - 3200) for the AirPort Extreme?

    Not sure that I understand your question.
    The AirPort Extreme does not support AC3200 if that is what you are asking.
    1300 Mbps is the theoretical maximum speed of an "ac" wireless connection on the AirPorts.

Maybe you are looking for