X31 w/IBM a/b/g wireless & Apple's Airport Express

[ychandrani]

I am thinking of buying the Apple Airport Express wireless router as an upgrade to my 802.11b wireless network at home. The idea is to use the airport express to connect to the internet through my University's ethernet network, share the single printer in the house with two other computers (also t pads with SP2), and listen to music (iTunes) on the stereo. Have people tried using the Airport Express with Win XP2 on their T-pads? What are your experiences? Good or bad? I have looked at other options for G routers, and even though the Apple is expensive, I like the fact that its one little package. Another reason is that space is at a premium in NYC and cable clutter gets on my nerves.

I have read horror stories on the Apple discussion boards and am hoping there are folks here who have had a positive experience using the Airport express router and who can also suggest what I should do in terms of software, configuration etc. Should I junk Access connections if I go with Airport Express?

[Leeper]

I use an AE with both my T42 and my X40. Works just fine however I do not have any of the secuirty levels turned on on the airport.

The AE is probably the coolest device I have picked up in the last year and it just a sweet addition to my travel bag. It is really cool to be able to go wireless in a hotel room whenever I want.

The only thing I have not been able to make work with the AE is the wireless bridge stuff but I think it has to due with the host APs I have not fully supporting WDS.

[ychandrani]

Thanks for the reply. My question though was about whether I will need to uninstall Access connections in order to use the AE. what did you do to connect to the AE? Do you use Access connections or not? I have read too many horror stories on the Apple discussions from other PC users and therefore the question.

I am very sure that if I used the AE without security settings, the network administrators will shut down my ethernet connection, so I will have to use some sort of security to prevent freeriders from the neighborhood.....

[Leeper]

I have never found Access connections to be a usefull program. Win XP (even better with SP2) does a very good job of handeling all the wifi stuff I need without getting in the way like AC has been known to do.

Most network admins would be upset if you were going to use the AE in any sort of corporate enviornment reguardless of security settings. We have a very secure wifi network in our corporate buildings but the AE travels with me for use in hotel rooms and wired (non-corporate) offices.

I always have WinXPs firewall turned on so that no one can get to my box.