[jtwrace]

I just unpacked and got two new laptops going for home use.  I use an Airport Extreme.  How do I enable printing through the extreme on these laptops now?  Do I need to install the Extreme software or???

[skunark]

Is the printer connected to the airport extreme via usb port?  Then you need to use the airport utility to set up the printer on the airport extreme.  If the printer is wired/wireless then the airport extreme isn't involved.

[jtwrace]

Is the printer connected to the airport extreme via usb port?  Then you need to use the airport utility to set up the printer on the airport extreme.  If the printer is wired/wireless then the airport extreme isn't involved.

Yes, printer is plugges into the USB on the extreme.  Printer is setup through the Mac Mini already but I want to add the laptops for wireless printing.  I need to use the airport utility disk huh?

[skunark]

if it's already set up on the airport extreme then just add a new "bonjour" printer on each laptop.

[jtwrace]

if it's already set up on the airport extreme then just add a new "bonjour" printer on each laptop.

Got it!   

[Crimson]

And don't forget to set up a discreet 5GHz net with Airport Utility (Airport >> Wireless >> Wireless Network Options). It will run your n-connected devices much better.

[jtwrace]

And don't forget to set up a discreet 5GHz net with Airport Utility (Airport >> Wireless >> Wireless Network Options). It will run your n-connected devices much better.

Does this get done on each device or through the main computer that I use to manage the Airport Extreme?

[Crimson]

Assuming you have the dual-band Extreme, you need to first set up the 5 GHz network as I described above using Airport Utility. Then tell each n-enabled device to join that network. The encryption and password will remain the same.

[jtwrace]

Assuming you have the dual-band Extreme, you need to first set up the 5 GHz network as I described above using Airport Utility. Then tell each n-enabled device to join that network. The encryption and password will remain the same.

Yes, I have the dual band router.  I've got all the devices on the network but guess I need to check and see if they are all on the "N" network.  Do I check from the utility from each device or my Mac Mini that I use to admin the Extreme?

[Crimson]

First, using Airport Utility from ANY machine on your network, make sure the 5 GHz network is ENABLED on your Extreme. Click on the Airport tab, then select Wireless, then Wireless Options. Name your 5 GHz network (must be a different name than your main network). Click ok, and then update your Extreme.

Once your Extreme is updated, go to EACH individual machine that is n-capable and join the new 5 GHz network that you just created (assuming all your machines are Macs, go to System Preferences >> Network, or just click on the wifi icon in the top right, and join this new network).

By doing this, all n-capable machines will run at 5 GHz while everything else will be on the 2.4 GHz network. You are essentially running two separate networks. 

[jaywills]

Thanks very much for the 5 GHz setup tip.  I just got an Airport Extreme and had not picked up on it just from reading the instructions.  Cordially,

[jtwrace]

Got it!