Carnegie Mellon University Website Home Page
 
Skip navigation and jump directly to page content
Documentation Index
Networking
Configuring AirPort Express
Overview
Steps for Configuring
Accounts
Network, Phone & TV
Software
Email & Calendar
Secure Your Computer
Clusters & Printing
Web Services
Classroom & Event Support
Training & Education
Technical Support & Services
Campus Partners
Information Security Office (ISO)

Steps for Configuring Apple AirPort Express

The following steps outline how to configure AirPort Express as a wireless client and password protect it. 

Please note:  During this initial start-up period, the unit is unprotected by passwords, so anyone can connect to and configure it.  If you have the opportunity to do this initial configuration at home prior to bringing the unit to campus, that would be a best practice for security reasons.

Steps:

  1. Locate AirPort Utility in the Application/Utilities folder on your computer.
  2. Double-click on the AirPort Utility to configure your AirPort Express as a client.
  3. Select Continue.
    image

  4. You will be prompted to switch wireless networks.  Select Switch.
    image

  5. On the next screen, enter a strong password in the AirPort Express Password field.  For security purposes, please use a password that is NOT your Andrew password.
    image

  6. Select Continue.
  7. Select I have a wireless network.
    image

  8. Select Continue.
  9. On this screen, for use on campus, you MUST select the “I want AirPort Express to wirelessly join my current network” option, NOT the default option.
    img

  10. Select Continue.
  11. You will be presented with what appears to be the same question again.  Verify that "Join my wireless network” is selected, and not the default.
    img

  12. Select Continue.
  13. Select the wireless network that you would like AirPort Express to join.
    a.    If you are at home – your wireless home network should present as an option.
    b.    If your goal is to connect it on campus – type in CMU with a security method of None.
    img

  14. Select Continue.
  15. You will be presented with a series of summary screens.  Review the information for accuracy.
    img

  16. Select Update.
  17. Your device will be temporarily unavailable.  Select Continue.
    img

  18. Select Done.
    img

  19. In the current mode, your speakers will be available to anyone on the wireless network on campus.  In order to restrict access to your speakers, we recommend creating a password on Music Sharing.  Select the AirPort Utility again (as in steps 1-3).
    img

  20. Select Manual Setup.
  21. From the menu bar, select Music to configure the speaker password.
    img
  22. After entering a strong password, select Update.  Anyone attempting to connect to your speakers will be prompted to enter a password.
    img
  23. Similar to sharing speakers, everyone on wireless will know when your printer is available.  However, printer sharing cannot be limited via a password, so please be aware that you may recieve unwanted print jobs on your printer.  Your printer will appear in the Print Finder:
    img

  24. When you arrive on campus, you will need to register the "AirPort ID", just as you would register the wireless Ethernet address of your laptop. http://www.cmu.edu/computing/network/wire/wireless.html  The address you will need to register, can be found on the AirPort Utility primary screen, as well as the initial discovery screen.
    img