AirPort - ArchWiki

# AirPort

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From Wikipedia:

  "AirPort is the name given to a series of Apple products using the (Wi-Fi) protocols (802.11b, 802.11g, 802.11n and 802.11ac). These products comprise a number of wireless routers and wireless cards. The AirPort Extreme name was originally intended to signify the addition of the 802.11g protocol to these products."

Apple sells a number of AirPort models: AirPort Express, AirPort Extreme, and AirPort Time Capsule. The AirPort Extreme is distinguished from the AirPort Express in that it has better WiFi (802.11ac instead of 802.11n, and 1.3 Gbps instead of 300 Mbps), better Ethernet ports (four gigabit ports instead of two 10/100BASE‑T ports), the ability to connect a hard drive to the USB port to share on the network, and the loss of the ability to stream music. The AirPort Time Capsule is essentially the AirPort Extreme, but with a 2-3 TB hard drive added, depending on which model you buy. All AirPort models have the ability to share printers on the network (through the USB port), and all AirPort models support up to 50 users.

## Configuration

Traditionally, AirPort base stations can be configured two ways, both of which require applications from Apple - AirPort base stations do not have web interfaces, unlike most routers. The first is using the desktop application, which is shipped with all Macs as a part of OS X and can be downloaded separately for Windows. There is no GNU/Linux version.

The second way is to use the AirPort Utility app on an iOS device. If you or a friend has an iPod Touch, iPhone, or iPad lying around, this is probably the most hassle-free way to configure your AirPort base station.

If that's not an option, you basically have two things to try: either run the desktop version of AirPort Utility in WINE, or use airport-utils. airport-utils is not yet in the AUR.

## Music streaming

If you wish to use the music streaming feature of AirPort Express base stations, look for "raop" in the AUR. Googling suggests that you can install paprefs and a RAOP plugin for PulseAudio, but I haven't tried this, so I can't offer any advice. Try Googling.

Categories:

- Apple
- Wireless Networking