For more than a decade , the only reasonable way to configure Apple ’s AirPort Wi - Fi equipment was through a software package package the company provided for Mac OS X ( and , several years ago , for Windows ) . Unlike other wireless groundwork stations , Apple chose to quash a WWW - based interface as an pick for configuration . That ’s a perfectly all right approach , though it can show problematical if the only way to get to the Internet to download said public utility would be by configure a base station .
That limitation is no more , however . As part of the outburst of cord cutting that came with last week ’s liberation ofiOS 5,Lion 10.7.2 , and iCloud , Apple also pushed out an iOS rendering of AirPort Utility that has nearly the same functionality as the desktop feeling . The peregrine app is missing just some advanced shape options and diagnostics that are typically required only by organization administrators and early adopter .
While it ’s improbable you would have a home or authority without a exclusive computer , the app still makes it potential to configure a mesh without deliver to install AirPort Utility anywhere . you could also use AirPort Utility for iOS to set up and manage a internet for someone else — such as my fourth-year - citizen next - room access neighbor , who has an iPad and a Wi - Fi net , but not a computing equipment .
AirPort Utility shows the topology of the network: the base stations that comprise it, and the connections among them.
you’re able to launch the app at once , or access via the options app , where you ’ll find it below any alive Wi - Fi connection ’s shape details in the Wi - Fi Networks division . Just pink the Manage This internet button .
Graphic Depictions
The first thing you see when you establish AirPort Utility for iOS on an existing electronic web with multiple base post is what I ’ve been want in the desktop version for years : a graphical schematic ( with accurate icons for each variety of hardware ) that shows web topology . Topology define the connections among equipment , and as the author of books about Wi - Fi and AirPort since 2002 , having a program present a visualization of your web before you even dive into troubleshooting or extending it is a godsend .
The app show the correct hierarchy and differentiates between pumped-up and wireless tie-in . My home connection is currently set up with three base station , all of which obtain private address via DHCP from a cable modem to which they are link via Ethernet . This is neatly depicted as a giant globe for the Internet , with self-coloured lines linking it to the three base stations . mark that a dark-green battery-acid come along next to the net if it ’s available , and next to each right configured base station . That loony toons turn white-livered with errors and red with show - stopping problems , such as a bushed Internet provender .
AirPort Utility present the topology of the connection : the base of operations station that comprise it , and the connections among them .
The utility can also show more complicated networks with a main router and base stations connected via a wireless link and via Ethernet.
On more complicated networks , the representative becomes much more utile . In a covert capture provided by Apple in the App Store , a electronic connection is shown in which a main base station connected to broadband in turn provides connection memory access ( and DHCP - assign addresses ) via a wireless link , shown as a dotted line , and a pumped-up Ethernet connexion . The exemplification is hierarchical , with the Internet on the top level , accompany by the coordinate base station , and then the others . I ’m dying to see what a web with 50 basis station looks like — you could pinch and expand to pan around the web computer graphic .
The usefulness can also show more complicated networks with a main router and infrastructure station connected via a wireless link and via Ethernet .
mark that the iOS AirPort Utility bear witness any AirPort root station — Extreme or Express — but it lets you try and configure only base stations with 802.11n capability ( essentially all models released starting in 2007 ) .
A base station’s firmware can be updated via the AirPort Utility app.
Tap any icon to reveal data . pink the net , and it establish the current net position , IP address , DNS servers , and the domain name if one ’s assigned . Tap a base station and you ’re motivate for a password , which is store in the app . ( On the iPhone , this is a subsequent sieve . On the iPad , a dad - over menu is used rather . ) Once the password is accepted , you could get into critique or changing the equipment preferences in earnest .
( notice that the AirPort Utility iOS app presently has a gaping surety defect : Once you enter a base station ’s configuration parole , that password is saved , with no way to force the app to leave it — not even by blue-pencil the app and reinstalling it . Even worse , that password is visible in clear school text , to anyone with access to the app , by beg the Edit button for a base station and then sail to Advanced > Show Passwords ! The only means I was able-bodied to get AirPort Utility to forget passwords was to restore my iPhone ’s firmware and then furbish up data from a backing . If you ’re concerned about someone being capable to access your al-Qaeda post ’s configurations using the app , be sure to localise a passcode lock chamber on your iOS gimmick . you may also change the base station ’s password using the Mac translation of AirPort Utility , which will prevent the iOS app from being able to link . )
The main covert for a alkali place shows its IP savoir-faire , serial number ( useful for AppleCare avail or questions ) , the current firmware release set up , its web name , and the number of sequester wireless guest if any are connected . Tap the microcode ’s version number , and you could update the access breaker point to a newer dismissal or revert it to a previous one . Tap the connection name and a further screen reveals the mesh encryption method acting ( such as WPA / WPA2 Personal ) , and the groove or channels over which Wi - Fi is in use .
Common network options are easily set, such as security.
A base station ’s microcode can be updated via the AirPort Utility app .
The Wireless Clients part is utile only for the passing gearheaded . Tap once , and you ’ll see a list of client . On a base place that ’s leave speech via DHCP to wireless clients , you ’ll see either the home IP speech or DHCP Client ID . Base stations that are bridge over address assignments from an ISP or from another base station on the web will see a list of clients by hex dotted - sextette MAC ( Media Access Control ) name and address . ( That ’s a series of act and letters assigned to Wi - Fi and Ethernet adapters ; they reveal little on their own . )
beg a node in the tilt , and you see a connectedness label that describes the connection with words like Average or Excellent . pat that description — we’re in deep now , boys — and the technical value for the data charge per unit , noise factor , and 802.11 protocol use are bring out . Like I say — for gearheads . ( In Mac OS hug drug , set up the web penchant pane , choose the Wi - Fi adapter , and click Advanced , and its MAC reference is shown as Wi - Fi Address at the bottom . On an iOS gimmick , open background , tap General - > About , and scroll down to Wi - Fi Address . )
You can set a fixed address for a computer or other device on the local network by creating a DHCP reservation. This assigns an IP address to either the device’s unique hardware identifier or a DHCP Client ID.
That ’s all the overture to the material meat . Back up at the top stratum of a Qaeda place , after you select it in the graphic view , tap Edit , and you may configure at will . The app dissever configuration into four parts : Base Station , web , Internet Connection , and Advanced , and we shall look back each in turn . These divisions do n’t precisely pit up with the desktop utility ’s organization , and omit many options .
Base Station and Internet
These two areas of the app are the unproblematic to practice . A base post has its own name disjoined from that of the connection , and memory access to its conformation is protect by a password . Tap Base Station to deepen its name or password . If you ’re correct up a newfangled base station , I recommend picking something typical , such as “ Downstairs Express ” so that you’re able to easy identify the router by name .
The Internet section is likewise straightforward . You beak among DHCP , Static , or PPPoE for the way in which the stem station obtains an address or talks to a broadband router . This is typically DHCP for home users .
Network and Guest Network
web contains most of the wireless options useable in the app ; most of the options here are found in the AirPort view of the Mac version of the utility . From the internet screen , you could set the Wi - Fi mode , alter security methods , name the mesh , change its encryption ( access ) password , and opt to shroud the internet in a moderately useless fashion .
For most single basis station web , a router ’s Wi - Fi Mode is set to Create a Wireless web . You choose Extend a Wireless web when you ’re connecting multiple base stations via Wi - Fi alternatively of Ethernet . The Security item let you choose the form of encryption you want to use to limit connectedness to this theme station ( or — not recommended — no encoding at all ) . If you choose a method that requires a parole , you must enter that once in the Password battlefield and then identically in the Verify field for the app to accept it . The general recommendation is to employ WPA2 Personal for networks involving ironware from 2003 and later on , and WPA / WPA2 Personal if you have any sure-enough devices .
Common web options are easy set , such as security .
The Hide connection switch prevents the base place from broadcasting its name — a so - call “ closed connection”—although in practice this supply nearly no additional security .
The Guest internet switching in the master Edit screen appear only if the base post is rig to provide IP addresses to node , but it will not appear if either DHCP or NAT are wrench off — Apple relies on these two ( related ) address - handling feature to make invitee networking study . Tap the Guest web clitoris , and then on the next screen , tip the Guess web switch to twist it on . You may modify the default connection name for the Edgar Guest connection , and localise a password that Guest require to utilize to join it . substance abuser of the guest mesh can access only the Internet — they do n’t have access to the relaxation of your web .
Advanced
option from various role of the desktop utility are consolidate in this part of the wandering app . As a scout to those that know the screen background software well , these are ( referring to the background utility ):
The most likely option you ’ll want to set is found by tapping DHCP and NAT . If the Provide Addresses switching is set to On , the Reservations detail lets you wedge the alkali place to impute a particular IP address to each computer hardware client on the connection , instead of leave the Qaeda post to assign any computer address that ’s uncommitted .
To set up a define address , tap Reservations , then pink New Reservation at the bottom of the lean . Enter a Description , like “ Glenn ’s Mac Pro , ” and then beg Reserve Address by . you’re able to either enter the twist ’s MAC address , establish on a computer or iOS gadget as key out earlier , or practice a Client ID . ( The Client ID is entered in Mac OS X in the web preference pane by selecting an transcriber from the listing on the left , penetrate the Advanced release , and then clicking the TCP / IP tab — you enter the ID textual matter into the Client ID field of honor . On an iOS machine , the Client ID can be set via the options app : Tap Wi - Fi , then tap the blue detail triangle next to a link up Wi - Fi web . Scroll down to the Client ID field of battle and enter the name you like to impute . ) You then get into the specific IP speech you require the base station to assign to the equipment .
you could set a fixed speech for a data processor or other equipment on the local internet by creating a DHCP mental reservation . This assigns an IP destination to either the gadget ’s unique ironware identifier or a DHCP Client ID .
Also in the Advanced screen , those who need to tweak radio options when configuring a simultaneous dual - striation base place will be happy to line up the potentiality to take a Radio Mode ( for which 802.11 standards will be used ) ; select the epithelial duct for one or two bands , as available ; and name the 5 GHz web differently from the 2.4GHz web .
Neckbearded suspenders wearer may further be peeved that IPv6 , arrangement log , and time zone configuration command use of the background broadcast .
The last word
For the majority of function , the free AirPort Utility app will make it simpler to set up base place and fixate problems without postulate you to have a Mac with the good software ready to hand at your fingertip . This is especially useful when a router is in an inconvenient location where hauling a laptop may be hazardous to its well being and yours , such as in the rafters or crawling space of your planetary house or business .
Updated 10/18/2011 , 10 am , to observe that AirPort Utility for iOS can configure only 802.11n - capable base Stations of the Cross . update 10/19/2011 , 10:55am , to clarify Wi - Fi mode and to add note that AirPort Utility fund base station configuration passwords indefinitely . Updated 10/24/2001 , 3:50 p.m. to take out an detail that point you could not plant port mapping from the app . interface mapping controls are available in AirPort for iOS .
