Share both iTunes and internet via Airport Express

Jan 04, '05 07:57:00AM

Contributed by: Anonymous

This tip explains some not-altogether-straightforward trickery involved to share one's iTunes library, connection to AirPort Express speakers, and internet connection together. My Mac is connected to the internet via an ADSL router. I have an AirPort Express plugged into the stereo upstairs, and a Windows laptop with a WiFi card.

Setting up the AirPort via the AirPort Setup Assistant, the laptop can connect to the AirPort network and access shared music and AirPort speakers, but not connect to the internet. However, sharing my Ethernet connection to machines using AirPort, the Mac loses knowledge of the Airport Express, and therefore shared music is no longer available to my laptop.

In order to share both at the same time, turn off Internet Sharing and open up the AirPort Admin Utility. In the configuration pane for the Airport Express, choose to 'Join an Existing Wireless Network (Wireless Client).' The not-so-obvious bit is as follows: for the Wireless Network name, ignore the drop-down list and type in the name of the network you wish to create. Then update the Airport Express. If all is going well, it should disappear from the Admin Utility List. Now go into System Preferences -> Sharing, select the Internet tab, select to share your Ethernet connection to computers using AirPort, and click the 'Airport Options...' button. In here, type in the name of the network that you chose earlier in the Airport Admin Utility. Then start the internet sharing.

At this point, the Airport Express will appear again in the Admin Utility, and you should be able to connect to this network from remote computers, share your internet/ethernet connection, iTunes shared libraries and AirPort speakers.

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