HDX and Airport Express setup
Posted by: gone on 23 March 2009
I am close to sliding down the HDX route - I think this implementation will suit me well, and it opens the door to hi-res files, and also keeps me away from ripping engines, computers in the living room, and it allows me to stash the CDs away in a cupboard. The KlimaxDS sounds astonishing, but I prefer a stand-alone device like the HDX, and the future DAC upgrade will bring it up to snuff I'm sure.
I don't have wired ethernet in my living room, and I don't intend to have, so a wireless connection between the HDX and my wireless router upstairs will have to provide the access to internet, and future NAS.
I've browsed the forum and the best suggestion seems to be using an Airport Express, and both Bruce Woodhouse and Gary1 seem to have got this cracked, but I'm not sure how.
As I said, I have a wireless router upstairs connected to the internet. I propose plugging the AE into a mains socket downstairs, and plugging an ethernet cable from the HDX into the ethernet port on the AE.
If I'm right, I can now wave the magic wand that is wireless networking, and it will all work?
OK, I tried playing with an AE at the weekend, and I'm starting to have doubts about the way it works. I can connect to the AE with my laptop, and configure it, but I can't get it to connect to the router. I am sure I'm missing something simple, but any pointers from the experts would be useful.
If I'm right, once it is connected, the AE will dish out an IP address to the HDX (or is the IP handed out by the router, and then passed to the HDX?)
It strikes me that this is a very attractive solution to connecting an HDX wirelessly, and a suitable description of how to set it up would be worthy of a FAQ entry.
Cheers
John
Posted on: 23 March 2009 by gary1 (US)
Nero, it mat have to do with the encrytion on your wireless router, Check to see if it is WEP encrytpted. The AE needs it to be WPA. There are many reports of this on the internet. If , thats's the case just change the encryption mode on the router.
Posted on: 23 March 2009 by ryan_d
Also, AE will not stream hi res files...it'll only stream 16bit @ 44.1k. I'm patiently awaiting for it to be updated so it can hnadle hi res files.
Ryan
Posted on: 23 March 2009 by Bruce Woodhouse
It certainly should work as you have suggested.
Really simple basic thing to try but it sorted my teething problems. Make sure everything is disconnected and switched off (including any laptops or PC's on the network). Then one by one switch on the modem, power up the AE and ensure the green light is rock solid before connecting to the HDX. Now power up the HDX and finally restart any other wireless devices. I found conflicts got sorted this way.
Only other thought I have is that the router might need a password for the AE to join the network. May be buried in the AE set up?
bruce
Posted on: 23 March 2009 by gone
Thanks for the replies so far!
The router uses WEP - unfortunately it's an old Draytek 2600 which has done sterling service so far, but it doesn't support WPA. I know I should worry about security a bit more, but I don't think there are to many WiFi warriors in the village!
I'll try the suggestons when I get home tonight.
But I'm still curious about where the HDX gets its IP address from. Does the AE simply pass through the DHCP'ed address from the router?
Posted on: 23 March 2009 by DeltaSigma
[QUOTE]Originally posted by avole:
Nero, there's nothing wrong with WEP, though it is harder to implement on the AE. QUOTE]
Like the posters above, I believe that the WEP wireless network security standard is actually not compatible with Airport Express. I tried to introduce an AE into my WEP wireless network last year (for a non HiFi related purpose) but had to upgrade to WPA to do this after being told (IIRC) by Apple tech support that it was not possible.
Posted on: 23 March 2009 by gone
I'm using a 13 digit passkey which I think is 128bit, but I'm not broadcasting the SSID. I think I will disable the security temporarily to see if that's the issue
Thanks all! When I get this fixed, I'll try and write a numpty's guide to setting it up
Posted on: 23 March 2009 by DeltaSigma
In any event, WPA is apparently a far superior standard (in terms of security) and should probably be considered for that reason if nothing else.
Posted on: 23 March 2009 by gary1 (US)
*
Posted on: 23 March 2009 by spacey
why bother with a AE when you can use homeplugs. you can use them to connect the HDX to the router and will transfer hi-res too. wish my supernait had eithernet connection.
Posted on: 23 March 2009 by gone
oh what fun. I've had it connected a few times with and without SSID broadcast, and WEP, but it doesn't seem to like hidden SSIDs.
Now I've got to the point where I have the blessed green light on the AE, and my router is showing it with a DHCP assigned address via wireless. All well and good. Except I can't seem to access it from a PC which is connected to the router via cable. Hmmmm odd. Maybe a firewall problem.
Time to have another browse of the nerdy fora.
By the way, I really don't want to use Homeplugs, as a) they are not recommended by Naim, other than for temporary connections, and b) my mains is dirty enough
Posted on: 23 March 2009 by garyi
JUST FYI update the routers firmware by going to the draytek website.
I had a Vigor 2600 for some years and it very much does have WPA.
Posted on: 24 March 2009 by gone
Thanks - I couldn't see anything about it in the release notes, but you're probably right - I'll update it tonight, as it might fix a VPN issue I've been having. But it might be time to change router, as the 2600We is only 11b.
All good fun
Posted on: 24 March 2009 by garyi
Ah, I had a 2600g, your is an earlier model. And yes its very much time for an upgrade. Airport expresses are Wireless N, and 11b is just very barely going to deal with send flac over the airwaves, I will be surprised if it works at all.
I recommend another draytek, or better still keep the one you have and get an Airport Extreme.
Posted on: 25 March 2009 by spacey
i would also recommend the airport extreme, i bought a Netgear DG 834N v2 router and wish i bought the extreme as it talks better to the express and both are WDS which allows different/better configurations with each other. its also a gigabit switch should you wish to hardwire you kit in the future
Posted on: 26 March 2009 by gone
well, I've learnt my lesson - time is money.
Picked up an Express Base Station today, switched off the wireless on my router, plugged it all in and within ten minutes, bish bosh, everything hunky dory. WPA 11n WiFi, and GBit ethernet on the PC, so things have perked up a bit on that front too. My laptop even joined the party easily.
But I suppose it's a learning experience. The Draytek's done well over the years, but at least the ADSL modem bit is still useful.
Thanks for all the help guys, much appreciated.
Cheers
John
Posted on: 27 March 2009 by garyi
Make sure you turn the wireless off on the draytek.
Remember if you are on an adsl line the draytek is going to be just fine as your throughput from the internet will be no more than 8 meg. In other words what you have there now is an optimum set up (I know cause you have the same as me
