 |   Publisher : Apple Computer Company : Apple Used Price : $49.95 |
Features
- Features a compatibility mode that automatically supports not just the AirPort Extreme Card (at data rates up to 54Mbps)
Product Description
Apple's AirPort Extreme wireless networking products lets you surf the Internet from almost anywhere in your home or business, and enables schools to provide Internet access to multiple students without installing expensive cabling. It's a snap to exchange files or play multiplayer games at data transfer rates of up to 54 megabits per second (Mbps). And because AirPort Extreme uses radio waves for communication, it can even work through walls. The Airport Extreme Base Station is compatible with Airport Extreme network cards.SimilarProduct
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Customer reviews
It's a cute little guy 
by .. NutMac (Mountain View, CA)
I've been using Linksys BEFW11S4 802.11b router for few years now. Other than somewhat short range, it has never let me down. After looking at cheaper alternatives, I bought the AirPort Extreme Base Station (AEBS) as my second WiFi router.
Pros:
- Looks really really really cute... and small, too
- Better signal strength than Linksys BEFW11S4
- Innovative USB printer support
- Superb AirPort Admin Utility and tight Mac OS X integration
- Bridging with other WiFi station via WDS (for expanding the range)
- Wall mountable (comes with wall mounting kit)
- AOL and RADIUS server support
Cons:
- Susceptible to signal loss (i.e., when using the microwave oven)
- Pricier than most 802.11g router
- No web-based configuration interface
- Only 1 LAN port
When you run the AirPort Admin Utility for the first time, it might detect an older firmware and proceed to upgrade itself automatically (if you let it, of course). The new firmware (5.0.4 as I write this) fixes WiFi connection drop issue. For some strange reason, the problem persisted until I manually downloaded and uploaded the latest firmware. I've tinkered with the channel selection to get the optimum results. Running the microwave oven may cause WiFi connection to drop still, however.
The AirPort Admin Utility is a pleasure to use, which is also full of features. Among the options are choosing among 11 WiFi channels; operating in 802.11b, 802.11g or mix mode; setting the transmission power from 10 to 100%; setting up Internet via DHCP, static IP, PPPoE, or AOL DSL; and mapping ports. You can improve security via 40-bit or 128-bit WEP, create a closed network by hiding SID (Station ID), and add access control (MAC address filtering).
By the way, if you are running Windows, go to Apple's web site and download the AirPort Admin Utility for Windows. It does not specify AEBS, but trust me... it works.
Oh, did I mention how beautiful AEBS is? I tucked my ugly Linksys where no one can see (which probably hinders WiFi broadcast), but not so with AEBS. Located on the front are beautiful metallic Apple logo and three graphite status indicators (WiFi, power, and Ethernet). Located on the rear are reset button, 100/10BASE-T WAN port, 100/10BASE-T LAN port, USB printer port, and AC power adapter port (very long power cable is included). If you need more than one LAN port, you will need to mate AEBS with an Ethernet hub.
The signal level's stronger than Linksys BEFW11S4. I get full signal virtually everywhere in my apartment, including those where Linksys frequently gave up. If you need greater range (larger house), consider bridging ABES with another ABES via built-in WDS support (Wireless Distribution System) or purchase ABES with Modem and Antenna Port (and one of few external ABES antennas available).
Finally, I must mention its built-in USB printer port. Hookup one of many supported printers via USB and you will be able to print wirelessly via Mac OS X's Rendezvous feature. Neat!
Share broadband between Mac & PC by .. Roland Reinhart (New Jersey, USA)
It hurt to pay so much, but I had the feeling that getting the Airport Extreme Base Station would save me time and headaches when trying to share broadband between a PC and Mac.
I was successful with this platform/OS/equipment combination:
Apple M8930LL/A Airport Extreme Base Station
Mac: OS 10.1.5, Apple Airport Card
PC: Win2000 Pro, NetGear MA101 Wireless USB Adapter
Plugged an ISP-provided DSL modem into the Base Station and configured the Base Station using the Mac. (Had no success with Apple's Airport Admin config software for the PC.)
Then plugged in the NetGear MA101 on the PC, installed the software from CD, and configured the settings to match the Mac security.
I got strong signal strength and throughput from both the NetGear MA101 and the Airport Card in a three story house.
40-bit WEP works fine. 128-bit is occasionally a little buggy on the PC, requiring me to temporarily reset both platforms to 40-bit.
Haven't tried setting up file sharing yet, but will attempt the USB printer connection on the Base Station. (Caution, check Apple.com/airport for list if approved USB printers that will work with the Base Station. Also, this USB printer feature supposedly requires the Mac to run OS 10.2.3+)
I wish the Airport Base Station manual had more scenario details and suggestions how to tailor your WAN configuration. I spent a lot of time searching the Apple BBS regarding questions I think should have been covered in the manual.
Overall, the Airport Extreme Base Station is a thing of beauty to look at, relatively easy to configure -- but I'm scared to death of someone knocking it to the floor.
Now fully complaint with 802.11g final spec by .. NutMac (Mountain View, CA)
Merely a week after the 802.11g specification is finalized, Apple released a free firmware upgrade that brings Airport Extreme Base Station (AEBS) up to compliance (downloadable from Apple's web site). In addition to fully complying with 802.11g and 802.11b standards, the upgrade also improves performance with both wired (10/100BASE-T Ethernet) and wireless (802.11b and 802.11g) clients.
If you are using Mac OS X 10.2 or higher, you can upgrade the AirPort Admin Utility to gain additional benefits:
- New automatic channel selection option. If set, AEBS will automatically select the optimal WiFi channel when it restarts.
- New 'Enable interference robustness' option under 'More...' dialog box. If enabled, AEBS will better interoperate with wireless telephones, microwave ovens, etc.
- Wireless Distributed System (WDS) is now easier to setup.
- Control over DHCP range.
Yes, AEBS is better than ever. While AEBS remains among the most expensive 802.11g WiFi routers on the market, it sets itself apart with compelling strengths:
- It is the easiest to setup under Mac OS X by far, thanks to elegant AirPort Admin Utility.
- USB printer port for sharing printers and printing wirelessly!
- Excellent cosmetics... it's soooooo pretty!
- WDS lets you expand WiFi range with additional AEBS or other WDS-compliant WiFi access points (most WiFi routers lack WDS).
- Timely firmware updates from Apple. Bring on the 802.11i WLAN security!
Worth it by .. Robert Graves (Thompson Station, TN USA)
The wireless revolution has seriously altered the way I work. It didn't seem like it was that big of a deal, to be able to work anywhere in the house on a laptop. And then I was home over Thanksgiving and tried my father's - it was incredible. So, soon after I had my own and I love it - I even ended up getting another one for my wife's laptop.
Whether it's browsing amazon.com late at night in bed, checking morning email in the kitchen while the kids run around, or being able to set up a writing desk anywhere in the house without worrying about an accessible internet port - the airport system is awesome. Even if you only have a desktop computer it's worth it - you can to put the computer in a place where there's no internet plug, without the 40 foot cord draping your wall to connect it. All in all, a wireless system may seem extravagant, but once you have one you'll wonder how you got by without it.
The airport card, along with the base station, allows you to connect several computers, even ones that don't have wireless cards in them (i.e., we have two laptops on the wireless system, and then one iMac that doesn't have an airport card is plugged directly into the base station). You can print, scan - anything - wirelessly, as long as those extra components are connected to the base station.
If you have a big house and the base station won't be centrally located, you may want to look into the antenna. I have a 2500 square foot house and the base station is at one end of it. I can get access from anywhere in the house without the extra antenna, though in one or two places it's a weak signal. My father's house, on the other hand, is over 5000 square feet and the base station is at a far end - you can't even get a signal on the other side of the house. However, he purchased the antenna and the signal is now very strong wherever you are. A warning - you should make sure your airport network is password protected, especially if you get the antenna. The signal will be broadcast through half your neighborhood and if not protected, people can get on and use your airtime, clogging up your bandwidth.
Make sure you get the right card! There's the airport extreme card and the regular airport card (I believe they are both compatible with either base station). Check Apple's website for direct compatibility between your computer and the two different cards. They are different sizes and will only fit in the right kind of slot.
One final word - I've heard from others that certain products from Net Gear or other wireless manufacturers accomplish the same thing as the airport card and base station for much cheaper. I can't attest to the validity of this, but it might be worth looking into. I'd exercise extreme caution, since if you go with Apple products it will be covered with tech support, even if it's more expensive. And putting third party hardware in your computer will likely void the warranty on your computer.
Windows Software is Superb for this Unit by .. Peter Bellew (Killarney, Co. Kerry Ireland)
Apple have released "unsupported" Windows software for this unit which makes it very easy to do complex configuration in minutes. It is simply the best Windows software I have seen for configuring an access point. I suspect it is written by Karlnet who are advanced in 802.11b for many years. The unit can be easily adapted to take external standard antennas by undoing three screws and fitting a wireless pigtail. Then you could add an antenna to share the connection across your neighbourhood. You need an MC Plug connector. It is posible to link two units together over a few miles with external antennas and it also repeats the signal from A to B to C. Apple, VBNETS and others sell add on cables and antennas. It is a super wireless unit with great features and is worth the money.