AirPort Extreme Base Station Setup Guide
1 Contents Chapter 1 5 5 6 7 8 Introduction to AirPort About the AirPort Extreme Base Station The AirPort Extreme Base Station at a Glance AirPort Extreme Base Station Ports About the AirPort Software Chapter 2 9 10 12 Setting Up Your AirPort Extreme Base Station Mounting the AirPort Extreme Base Station on a Wall Setup Overview Chapter 3 15 15 16 17 17 18 18 18 19 19 Using Your AirPort Extreme Base Station Configuring the Base Station Monitoring the AirPort Extreme Base Station’s Internet Connect
1 Introduction to AirPort 1 AirPort is a simple and fast way to access the Internet from anywhere in your home, classroom, or office without cables, additional phone lines, or complicated networking software. AirPort is a wireless local area network (WLAN) technology that provides highperformance wireless communication between multiple computers and the Internet.
The AirPort Extreme Base Station has the following ports:  10/100Base-T Ethernet WAN port (<) for connecting a DSL or cable modem, or for connecting to an existing Ethernet network with Internet access  10/100Base-T Ethernet LAN port (G) for high-speed connection to local printers and Ethernet computers that don’t have Internet access  USB port (d) for connecting a printer to the base station Some models of the base station also have a built-in 56K modem port (W ) for dial-up Internet access with a stand
AirPort Extreme Base Station Ports Your AirPort Extreme Base Station may have six ports, depending on which model you purchased. < 10/100Base-T Ethernet WAN port Connect a DSL or cable modem, or connect to an existing Ethernet network with Internet access. G 10/100Base-T Ethernet LAN port Connect local Ethernet computers (computers without Internet access) and printers, or other Ethernet devices, such as a hub or a switch.
About the AirPort Software AirPort Setup Assistant Use the AirPort Setup Assistant to configure the AirPort Extreme Base Station and to set up your computer to use AirPort. The Assistant is located in Applications/Utilities on a computer using Mac OS X, and in Start > All Programs > AirPort on a computer using Windows XP or Windows 2000. AirPort Admin Utility AirPort Admin Utility is an advanced tool for setting up and managing the AirPort Extreme Base Station.
2 Setting Up Your AirPort Extreme Base Station 2 Use the information in this chapter to set up your AirPort Extreme Base Station. Before you set up the AirPort Extreme Base Station for Internet access, make sure that: Â You have a computer with an AirPort Card or an AirPort Extreme Card, or a compatible Wi-Fi card installed in a computer using Windows XP or Windows 2000 (with Service Pack 2). Â Your computer has the latest version of the AirPort software installed.
If you use an Ethernet LAN for Internet access, such as in a school or office, connect the Ethernet cable to the 10/100Base-T Ethernet LAN port (G) on the AirPort Extreme Base Station. Note: The “Distribute IP address” checkbox in the Network pane of AirPort Admin Utility is deselected for AirPort Extreme Base Stations that support Power over Ethernet. By default the base stations are set to be used as a bridge, rather than to distribute IP addresses to AirPort clients.
3 Locate the two mounting bracket holes on the bottom of the base station. Mounting bracket holes 4 Feed the cables through the mounting bracket and then connect them to the base station. The base station is designed to mount with the ports on the top (Apple logo right side up), with the cables passing behind it through the mounting bracket as shown. Note: The mounting bracket has enough space for six cables (power, two Ethernet cables, USB printer cable, a telephone cable, and external antenna cable).
5 Carefully insert the bottom two prongs on the mounting bracket into the mounting bracket holes on the bottom of the base station. Clip the top prongs on the mounting bracket around the bottom lip of the base station. Setup Overview Once you’re ready, you can set up the AirPort Extreme Base Station in a few steps: 1 Plug the AirPort Extreme Base Station in to a power outlet and connect it to your Internet networking interface.
If your base station has a built-in modem and you connect to the Internet using it, the base station can provide Internet access to computers connected to both Ethernet ports (WAN < and LAN G). Step 2: Use the AirPort Setup Assistant The AirPort Setup Assistant:  Sets up your AirPort network  Configures your computer to access the AirPort network created by the AirPort Extreme Base Station Note: You can’t use the AirPort Setup Assistant to set up some advanced features.
3 Using Your AirPort Extreme Base Station 3 The information in this chapter will help you understand how to use your base station and how to get the most from your AirPort network.
Note: By default, your base station is set to use the Internet Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) and Network Address Translation (NAT) to share a single IP address. If your base station supports PoE, by default it is set up as a bridge, and the “Distribute IP address” checkbox is deselected in the Network pane of AirPort Admin Utility.
Monitoring AirPort Extreme Base Station Communication The following table explains the AirPort Extreme Base Station indicator lights. 1 2 3 Light number Indicator Status 1 Flashing The AirPort Extreme Base Station is communicating via AirPort. 2 Steady glow The AirPort Extreme Base Station is receiving power and is in normal operating mode. 3 Flashing The AirPort Extreme Base Station is communicating via the LAN port.
Connecting Additional Base Stations to Your AirPort Network You can connect additional AirPort Extreme Base Stations to extend the range of your wireless network. You can connect the base stations wirelessly or using Ethernet. A network with base stations connected using Ethernet is known as a roaming network. Connecting base stations wirelessly creates what is known as a Wireless Distribution System (WDS).
Controlling the Range of Your AirPort Network You can also shorten the range of your AirPort network by adjusting the power transmitted to the radio in the base station. This might be useful if you want to control access to the network by restricting the range to a single room, for example. To shorten the range of your AirPort network: 1 Open AirPort Admin Utility, in Applications/Utilities on a Macintosh and in Start > All Programs > AirPort on a Windows XP or Windows 2000 computer.
4 Basic Network Designs 4 You can set up your AirPort Extreme Base Station just about anywhere and use it for Internet access and wireless networking. You need only a connection to the Internet and a computer with wireless capabilities. You can even add non-wireless computers to the network by connecting them to the base station through the built-in Ethernet LAN port (G). If you connect a USB printer to the base station, all the computers on the network using Mac OS X v10.2.
Setting Up a Home Office Network If you are setting up an AirPort network in your home or small office and you have a broadband DSL or cable modem connection to the Internet, and an existing Ethernet network, you may need the following items:  An AirPort Extreme Base Station or multiple base stations  A DSL or cable modem with Internet access  AirPort- or other wireless-equipped computers  An Ethernet network (optional) The following illustration is an example of an AirPort network.
Setting Up a Network at School If you are setting up a network at school, and have a broadband DSL or cable modem connection to the Internet, and an existing Ethernet network, you may need the following items:  An AirPort Extreme Base Station or multiple base stations  A DSL or cable modem with Internet access  AirPort- or other wireless-equipped computers  An optional Apple-certified external antenna The following illustration is an example of an AirPort network in a school with multiple rooms or build
Relay Remote USB Main To the Internet 24 Chapter 4 Basic Network Designs To Ethernet (LAN) To USB printer Power adapter
Connecting AirPort Base Stations Using Power Over Ethernet (PoE) You can connect multiple base stations that support PoE to 802.3af-compliant Power Sourcing Equipment (PSE), and send power and a network or Internet connection over Ethernet cables. Receiving power over the Ethernet connection eliminates extra cables and the need to locate the base station near a power outlet. The following illustration is an example of an AirPort network in a business or school with multiple rooms or buildings.
Base stations mounted in air-handling space Plenum-rated Ethernet cables AC power outlet Plenum-rated Ethernet cables Base stations mounted in air-handling air-space To 802.3af-compliant PSE 26 Chapter 4 Basic Network Designs 802.
5 Troubleshooting 5 Use the information in this chapter if you are having trouble setting up your AirPort Extreme Base Station. If the AirPort Setup Assistant can’t detect the proper AirPort hardware Make sure that the computer you are using has an AirPort Card or an AirPort Extreme Card installed. If you recently installed the card, shut down your computer and make sure the card is properly installed.
The middle light flashes, indicating that the base station is in reset mode. The base station remains in reset mode for five minutes. If you do not make your changes within five minutes of pressing the reset button, you must reset it again. 3 Use the AirPort status menu in the menu bar to select the network created by the base station (the network name does not change). 4 Open AirPort Admin Utility (in Applications/Utilities on a Mac, and in Start > All Programs > AirPort on a Windows computer).
If you move your AirPort Extreme Base Station to a location on your network with a different subnet and lose communication with the base station Your AirPort Extreme Base Station may have an invalid IP address. 1 Make sure that your computer is set to access the network from the new location (where you moved the AirPort Extreme Base Station) and that it is in range of the base station. 2 Make sure that the computer is set to use AirPort. 3 Use the AirPort Setup Assistant to reconfigure the base station.
Appendix AirPort Extreme Base Station Specifications AirPort Specifications  Wireless Data Rate: Up to 54 megabits per second (Mbps)  Range: Up to 150 feet (45 meters) in typical use (varies with building)  Frequency Band: 2.4 gigahertz (GHz)  Radio Output Power: 15 dBm (nominal)  Standards: Compliant with 802.11 HR Direct Sequence Spread Spectrum (DSSS) 11 Mbps standard, 802.11 DSSS 1 and 2 Mbps standard, and 802.
Base Station LED Sequences The following table explains the base station’s light sequences and what they indicate. Left Center Right Status/description Off Off Off The base station is unplugged or has failed. If the base station is plugged in and all lights are off, contact your Apple-authorized service provider. On On On The base station is in self-check mode. Rapid sequenced flashing, right-to-left 32 The base station is starting up.
Communications Regulation Information FCC Declaration of Conformity This device complies with part 15 of the FCC rules. Operation is subject to the following two conditions: (1) This device may not cause harmful interference, and (2) this device must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired operation. See instructions if interference to radio or television reception is suspected.
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/airportextreme www.apple.
