Airpot Extreme SLOW LOADING

Question

I recently upgraded to an Airport Extreme from a LinkSys BEFSR41. The LinkSys router was working great, I just wanted to go wireless. However, with the new router, even connected via Ethernet cable, it can take 30-45 seconds to load webpages, even after loading for the first time, closing Safari, and loading again. The LinkSys router was near instantaneous.
I installed the software for the Airport Extreme, updated everything I could find and have also reset Safari. I even checked my speed via SpeedTest.net and that's fine... just can't seem to load anything. I even called Apple Support and had a tech check everything with me and she said everything was fine.
This is driving me crazy! Any ideas?

Answer 1

KayBeeStew wrote:
I understand the Extreme can run *two speeds at once* but someone said something about the unit working at the speed of the slowest equipment on the network.
The "two speeds" of the new Extreme refer to its ability to run simultaneous 802.11g and 802.11n wireless networks. Wired network performance is completely unrelated to this characteristic.
The comment regarding "working at the speed of the slowest equipment on the network" applied to the Extreme's predecessor; the single-band model. In that case, all your equipment had to operate in 802.11n mode to realize the highest possible performance, if any equipment was 801.11g only, the entire network would revert to that slower protocol.
In any event, since your wired performance is also suffering, the statement is a red herring for you. Also, I believe the lengthy delay involved with loading a page you describe would not be diagnostic in your case. Network speed tests would also show consistently slower throughput, and you said that's not the case. DNS problems would definitely cause what you describe but Duane already covered that (here it is for your reference):
Usually this indicates that the DNS server is overloaded or having problems. You can try using opendns. In your Network preference pane, in the DNS field, enter the values 208.67.222.222 and 208.67.220.220.
By all means use OpenDNS!!!
Also be sure to reset your modem every time you change what's directly connected to it. Every time. Failure to do that will also cause what you're describing. Make it a habit.
If there are old cables could the Extreme drop down in speed?
Damaged or otherwise compromised cables can cause wired performance to be less than optimal, but since they worked fine with your Linksys router I doubt this is your problem.
I just hate to invest in new cables if that's not the issue.
It would be nice to try other cables; you don't have to pay retail prices - check Craigslist or eBay, just make sure they specifically say "Category 5e" or "gigabit Ethernet" rated. Cables are incredibly cheap.
From what you describe, I'd say your Airport Extreme is looking like the prime suspect. Perhaps I should say "hardware of interest" to avoid accusations of slander. Take it back to Apple, if a new one does the same thing it's back to head-scratching time.
Never heard of a *faulty Airport* causing this problem, hopefully it's a rare fault.
edit: bold qualifier above