Airport Express & NAS

dr_funkenstein

Hey folks,

Looking for some wisdom here. I bought an Airport Express today, thinking that I can use it to access my iomega home network and to use Airtunes.

I can connect to it and have got Airtunes working, but can't access the ethernet drive.

Its currently connected to the single ethernet port on the express, but I can't get any ping response from it. Is the express capable of this? Or did I make a rash purchase .. I don't want to use it to access internet as I use mobile broadband (usb dongle).

thanks

john__long

You're gonna have to hook it to some kind of internet connection if you expect to access this externally.

They don't work on skyhooks!

It should work internally just fine though.

dr_funkenstein

Hey

I just want it for local use (in the house). The network drive works fine with my Linksys 54G, so its not that its not formatted properly.

I just can't get any access to it though the Airport Express. Any ideas ?

john__long

You could hook it via USB to the Airport? AFAIK the newer devices allow for this.

These might be of help? View in order.

1. http://www.iclarified.com/entry/index.php?enid=1012

2. http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1331

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OR

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If you don't want USB connection, you could try and verify that the NAS has an IP address when connected to the AP Extreme? You may need to configure the AP Extreme as DHCP server if not already done.

dr_funkenstein

Yo

Thanks for the suggestions.

I'm using an Airport Express though. The NAS has a static IP, whilst the Express is setup as a DHCP (serving IPs in a range not including the NAS's static IP).

If I connect the NAS through the Linksys 54G, I can ping it. If I connect the NAS through the Airport Express, I get nothing. In both cases, the macbook's IP is in the correct range.

john__long

Ah whoops!

OK. I have an express. I found the ethernet port was disabled unless it was set to a specific mode...

I can't for the life of me remember for certain. I *think* it worked when set to the "join existing network" mode.

dr_funkenstein

Hmm.. I basically want to replace the Linksys 54G with the Airport Express.

All I want to use it for is to access the NAS wirelessy and use Airtunes.

In the Airport utility.. under summary.. the ethernet claims to be connected.

The Airport Express has an IP of 192.168.1.1

My Macbook was assigned an IP of 192.168.1.100 with a subnet mask of 255.255.255.000.

The NAS has a static IP of 192.168.1.50 with a subnet of 255.255.255.0.

It should be able to at least get a ping response.. ?

john__long

IP addressing looks OK.

I'm assuming that this

My Macbook was assigned an IP of 192.168.1.100 with a subnet mask of 255.255.255.000.

is a typo?

dr_funkenstein

sorry, subnet of 255.255.255.0

john__long

Aside from switching the NAS to DHCP to test, I'm at a loss! According to what you've said so far, it should be working!

dr_funkenstein

Hmm.. Its kinda working now.. but not very well setup.

Changing the Express to 'bridging mode' allows me to connect to the NAS now. But now I can't set the DHCP to anything sensible. I can now connect to the NAS and Airtunes..

but the IP addresses are of the 169.254.xxx.xxx with a subnet of 255.255.0.0 variety.

Hmmmmmm... should I just leave it as it is now I wonder...

Thanks for your help btw john!

john__long

No problemo! It sounds less than ideal! I'm sure there's a way to do it.

Perhaps try your Linksys as the DHCP, join the Airport to the Linksys network, then have the NAS hooked into Airport...

That's effectively what I'm doing with mine.

I have a Belkin router as DHCP server with the AP Express sharing AirTunes in the "connect to existing network" mode. I'll find the exact config when I'm there next week.

dr_funkenstein

Hmm.. interesting.

If I do that.. will I be throttled back to the wirelessG speeds? .. Part of the reason for this 'upgrade' was to avail of the wirelessN (between macbook and Airport Express).

I wonder if there's a way to avail of the DHCP server on the linksys while still connecting to the NAS via the Airport Express. I somehow doubt it.

Ah well.. at least its now working. Airfoil is great It's simplfying my mini-projector setup :cool:

john__long

Ya. You prob will be back to 802.11G.

Check this thread: http://www.mac-forums.com/forums/airport-networking-wireless-technology/68447-nas-network-drive-airport-express.html

It agrees with my thinking that the ethernet port is dead unless configured in WDS.

Try the USB option and see if it works/suits your needs!

That way the AP Express can do DHCP, WiFi Tunes and USB Sharing!

dr_funkenstein

Airport Express can't share a HD via USB.. and anyways my NAS is ethernet only. One point from that thread does seem right though, saying that the Airport Express doesn't seem to function like an ordinary router does. While I love Apple stuff.. sometimes their restrictions can be seriously frustrating!

The mode I want to use it in, doesn't activate the ethernet port. So, I probably should be using the Airport Extreme. But that doesn't have Airtunes.....

This setup is fine for now. If I move somewhere that has dsl/cable.. I'll probably have to invest in a wireless-N router.. which would make the Airport Express just useful for wireless audio..

I'm still unsure whether this was a good buy :rolleyes:

Oh, one last thing. Is there anyway to link the volume buttons to itunes volume when using Airtunes? .. I know you can do it through Airfoil, but I play most of my music through Itunes..