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yet another Microsoft blogger

# Monday, June 12, 2006

Versatile Little AirPort

I have to say, the AirPort Express is a versatile little guy. Today I was able to configure it to talk to my Samsung Laser Printer, and then I untethered it from my Ethernet connection, joined it to my wireless network, and then put it, along with the printer on the other side of my office. Works great.

 

Monday, June 12, 2006 6:58:49 AM (Pacific Daylight Time, UTC-07:00)
Can you use these things as a "repeater" to extend the range of your wireless network? (Even if you have a non-Apple wireless router)?
Ellis
Monday, June 12, 2006 10:11:13 AM (Pacific Daylight Time, UTC-07:00)
I don't think you can... I believe you need to have an Apple Airport to do that.
Monday, June 12, 2006 3:18:49 PM (Pacific Daylight Time, UTC-07:00)
IIRC, the Airport Express' support WDS to extend wireless network which isn't a common feature in most routers. however, I do know that Buffalo routers support this.
Tuesday, June 13, 2006 11:21:17 AM (Pacific Daylight Time, UTC-07:00)
Except the airport doesn't have a web UI to let you configure it.. which means you have to carry around a software CD with you.

I prefer the Linksys travel wireless routers. The most recent model is very small and plugs directly into the wall.

Oh yeah, and you can configure them from any platform with a web browser.
Tuesday, June 13, 2006 3:14:00 PM (Pacific Daylight Time, UTC-07:00)
Darned expensive though.
Tim
Tuesday, June 13, 2006 6:20:31 PM (Pacific Daylight Time, UTC-07:00)
Right, no web site, but at least it doesn't crash or have horrible firmware.
Wednesday, June 14, 2006 1:56:19 PM (Pacific Daylight Time, UTC-07:00)
Just did a quick Windows Live search on WDS and Airport Express. found this:

"despite what apple says- possible to use that tiny little white airport express device to extend other non-airport networks. So all you really need is WDS support"

Source: http://vafer.org/blog/20050325123121

so basically as long as you have a Wirelss access point that supports WDS, you can extend your wireless network over a big distance by creating a large "mesh" of wifi coverage with multiple Airport Express'. Neat!

I do this already at my house with Buffalo routers, but using these suckers would have saved me mucho bucks.
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