AirPort Extreme . . . a dodgy product?

Got this thing yesterday to replace my D-Link DI-614+. It's connected to my ADSL modem and via ethernet cable to my PowerMac G4, just as in my previous configuration.
Internet connection is okay from the local PowerMac, as well as from my Win XP computer via a D-Link wireless PCI card.
Ironically, my AirPort-equipeed iBook running Tiger will not see the AirPort network no matter what I do. The PC setup was virtual automatic, except that I had to enter the WPA2 password (a good thing) in order to join the network. It indeed seems as though it's not going to work with the iBook. I've even installed the AirPort Extreme software from the included disc on the iBook, and no amount of configuration will help. Furthermore, it appears that (based on error messages I've gotten while trying to connect the iBook to the network) the iBook doesn't even support WPA/2 encryption. Not only that, but using the PowerMac G4 to run AirPort Utility, I tried to step the security down to WEP, but the utility won't even allow input of the required 13-character password! It halts after inputting 11 characters. This is really something :/
Anyone else experiencing this? Does this new Apple base station work better with old Windows wireless clients than it does with AirPort-equipped Apple laptops???
Thanks!

I have solved the problem on my own. I wouldn't not have been able to do so if I did not have so much past experience with D-Link products. By default, D-Link routers will use channel 6 on wireless networks, and that works. Apple's default is "automatic," and that is the problem. At least it was in my case.
It is necessary to go to AirPort Utility / Wireless / Channel, and enter 6. Otherwise, there will be no joining the wireless network. Errors will include messages to the effect that the selected encryption method isn't supported on the network, or there was simply error trying to join the network.
So, I'm happy to have solved my own problem, and hope it will help others as well. The thing about this is that no amount of posting information about operating systems and AirPort cards would have anything to do with the advice to set the wireless channel to 6.
On the sunny side, now that I've got it working, I can actually use the strongest encryption for my wireless network. With my D-Link wireless router, I was never able to use WEP encryption with my iBook. The wireless netowrk was okay as long as the channel was set to 6 and the encryption disabled.

Similar Messages

Is Airport Extreme the right product for me?

Greetings, everyone:
Currently, I have an iMac G4 connected to a DSL internet connection via an Ethernet cable on a Linksys router. The router also feeds 2 iBook G4s in the house, as well as a Windows laptop.
After a lengthy call to their tech support dept., it appears the Linksys router is dead. I'm thinking of replacing it with Airport Extreme. Will I be able to use it in the same way as I currently use the Linksys (1 computer hardwired, 3 wireless?). Any information would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

The main limitation of the AEBS compared with other products is that it doesn't have a builtin switch. Many competitive products are just like the AEBS, but they allow 4 wired devices. If you have one wired device and lots of wireless, it's fine, but if you have two desktops or a desktop and server, you'll need a hub, switch or router in addition to the AEBS.
However I just moved from a Netgear wireless router back to an old AEBS. I was getting odd delays in packets. Moving to the AEBS (and changing authentication to WPA2) for wireless and an older Linksys switch/router seems to have fixed things.
One thing that impressed me about the AEBS is that the hardware hasn't become incompatible even after several years. They've added new features in firmware. So my old AEBS was updated to support WPA2. Few devices of its age would be upgradeable at this point.
I originally moved from the AEBS to the Netgear because I was having insufficient signal strength. Maybe my setup is different now, but the AEBS seems at least as good now.

Airport Extreme Dead

No internet connection. Checked Airport Extreme and no light on front. Attempted reset and only sign of life is clicking sound from power supply and small green led's next to the Ethernet and LAN ports flashing.
Anyone know if there is any hope of resurrection? Extreme now 3 years old so out of warranty!!

Welcome to the discussion area, ad5901!
Unfortunately, based on your description of the issue, it sounds like there has been an internal component failure on the AirPort Extreme.
The product could possibly be repaired, but the cost of repairs might be difficult to justify compared to the cost of a new or refurbished device. You might want to contact Apple or an Apple Store to see if they could refer you to a repair shop for an estimate on this.

AirPort Extreme 802.11ac boosted w/ 802.11n Express?

for the past year or so I have had a perfect set up that has worked wonderfully. It was an airport extreme hardwired to two different airport expresses. I had a perfect set up all three devices had the exact same Wi-Fi name and all three supported 802.11n. So why ruin a good thing? Well here's why…
recently we have obtained some new Apple devices such as new iPhone sixes and also new MacBook air is. All of our new devices are capable of supporting 802.11ac. So now I have decided to purchase the new airport extreme sixth generation which supports this new protocol of 802.11ac.
My question is this, if I have my main airport extreme configured the same way I used to have it, but now I have airport expresses that do not support this new 802.11ac protocol, am I doing myself a disservice? The boosters are located on our third level in the master bedroom where where most of the surfing is done with the newer 802.11ac devices.
with the brand-new sixth generation extreme located in my basement, most of the house is covered however in the furthest rooms, such as the master bedroom, I have an airport express hardwired and functioning fine. But my question is this how can I be sure that the MacBook air is that support 802.11 ac are actually staying connected to the basement brand-new sixth generation airport extreme instead of the closer proximity airport express?
I wish that my airport express is also supported the new protocol so that I can be sure that my entire house is covered by 802.11ac. There's nothing wrong with using 802.11n, but the reason I purchased the new extreme router was to take advantage of the faster and stronger signal of 802.11ac.
The airport expresses that I am running in my house are the newer white ones that looks to be the same shape as an Apple TV. These are not the ones with the FlipOut prongs that plug directly into the wall but instead they are the ones that have a regular power cord and it look like small little hockey pucks. Well, squares versions of hockey pucks that is.
this entire post was verbally dictated using my iPad air, so hopefully I have caught all of my typos or incorrect wording. But I think you can get the general just of my question here. I was hoping I would not need to use the airport expresses to boost the signal, but I think my home might be too big for one single router located centrally in my basement. I have it as Close to the ceiling as I could get it so the second floor is completely covered and most of the upper floor is covered and the entire basement is covered of course. It's just a few rooms that are above the garage and a few further rooms such as kids bedrooms and very important, the master bathroom. We all know how important that is. Thanks in advance to anybody who can help me with this issue.

if I have my main airport extreme configured the same way I used to have it, but now I have airport expresses that do not support this new 802.11ac protocol, am I doing myself a disservice?
Yes and no.
Yes, if you want "ac" capable devices in a remote location near the AirPort Expresses to connect at "ac" levels......because they won't.
No, if you need the extra range provided by the Express, and don't mind that the "ac" devices connect at slower "n" speeds through the AirPort Express.
But my question is this how can I be sure that the MacBook air is that support 802.11 ac are actually staying connected to the basement brand-new sixth generation airport extreme instead of the closer proximity airport express?
You can't, if all the AirPorts are producing a signal with the same wireless network name......since the MacBook Air will connect to the wireless access point with the strongest signal.....not the AirPort with the fastest signal.
IF....you assigned a different name to the wireless network that the Express devices were creating....then....you could "point" the MacBook Air at the basement AirPort network created by the AirPort Extreme 802.11ac down there.....but chances are, the MacBook Air will never connect at "ac" levels since they are carried on the 5 GHz band, which is much weaker than the 2.4 GHz signals.
In other words, 5 GHz "ac" signals are pretty much "same room" or "line-of-sight" signals. 5 GHz just won't penetrate walls and other obstructions nearly as well as slower, but much stronger 2.4 GHz signals.
The bottom line.....if you want the MacBook Air to connect at "ac" level speeds in the remote location, you will need another AirPort Extreme 802.11ac product in place of at least one AirPort Express, maybe both.

Regarding the product time capsule...is the modem the same as airport extreme and is the disk drive always running? I'm worried about it lasting for at least five years.

Regarding the product Time Capsule... is the modem the same as the Airport extreme and is the disk drive always running??? I'm worried about it lasting at least five years.

John,
I'd pay good money to bet it wouldn't last 5 years... I don't rate the in built power supply and as for "server grade hard disk" - Hmmmm..... The failure rate of all HD's on the market after 3 year is 60%.
Regards,
Shawn

I would like to buy the AirPort Extreme and I wanted to purchase a repeater or extender with that, what would that product be?

I would like to buy the AirPort Extreme and I wanted to purchase a repeater or extender with that, what would that product be?

The extender would be either another AirPort Extreme....if you want to match the performance of the "main" AirPort Extreme.....or....an AirPort Express.....which would not match the performance of the "main" AirPort Extreme.....but it would provide more wireless signal coverage.
Whether you choose the AirPort Extreme or AirPort Express to extend the signal, try to plan to connect the extender back to the "main" AirPort Extreme using a permanent, wired Ethernet cable connection.
If you must connect the main and extending devices using wireless only, then there will be a significant performance drop on the entire network due to to the limitations of extending a network wirelessly. Unfortunately, you lose about half of the potential speed on the network when you do this.

Cannot connect to Airport Extreme. Did I buy wrong product?

Hello
I am having a problem connecting my Airport Extreme Base Station. I have an iMac flat screen PowerMac G4 running Tiger 10.4.11. I purchased the Airport Extreme Base Station in hopes to connect this and other Mac computers in my house to a wireless network. I have a DSL connection through ATT using a SpeedStream 5360 Ethernet ADSL Modem. I have installed the software that came with the base station. I do have an airport card installed, but it is an older one, not the one that you can purchase through Apple now.
I have read and followed all of the directions in the setup manual. I have seen the base station from my computer, I have given it a name, password, etc... but when I try to finish the installation/setup process, the base station continues the flash an amber light. I have done everything I can think of including reseting the base station back to default settings and starting over. Once I got the base station to show a green light... my computer still couldn't connect. In fact it couldn't even see the base station at that point.
Should I have purchased a different base station for my computer, or could it possibly be my airport card? Another computer in my house (older iMac running 10.3) can read a neighbor's un-passworded base station, but can't connect to mine. Does that give any clues?
Any suggestions would be appreciated.
JP

Just to verify... you have connected the Ethernet output of the SpeedStream ADSL modem to the WAN port on the AirPort Extreme base station (AEBS).
Have you also configured the AEBS to use the correct parameters to connect to your ISP?

Airport Extreme - Ps4 , Sonos system , apple tv and other apple products

I need some help, i'm thinking of changing routers i currently have a belkin n750 db , and its not compatible with my sonos system , but i also like to game. I was wondering if the airport extreme would be able to handle all of my gear . ( iMac , 2 iPhones , iPad , ps4 and apple tv ) as well as anything i may add in the future .

If you are a "gamer" the very first requirement on your list would be router that supports UPnP......Universal Plug and Play.....that automatically opens the ports that the game console will require.
The Apple AirPorts do not. That is about all that needs to be said about that.

Only Apple products will connect to Airport Extreme

Until a couple of weeks ago all was fine with my Airport Extreme. Now, only our Ipad2 and Iphone5 will connect, my laptop and blackberry cannot (they were ok before).
The AX is setup in bridge mode and is working fine for the ipad and iphone but my laptop and BB don't even see the AX when i scan for wifi networks. I have done a couple of power cycles and turned off my bitdefender firewall but to no avail.
Any suggestions?

have you configured your Airport extreme to provide addresses via DHCP?
If your WiFi settings are:
IPv4 Address: 10.0.1.4
Subnet Mask: 255.255.255.0
Router: 10.0.1.1
DNS Server: 10.0.1.1
and WiFi is working with no problems
then having the same settings, just different IP address' last digit should work for Ethernet...
Have you connected the Ethernet cable to the computer as well as the Airport Extreme ?
Alternatively, you may change DNS server address to 8.8.8.8

Third party USB products and the Airport Extreme

If I hook up a USB splitter to my Western Digital hard drive, then plug one USB into my Airport extreme and the other in my XBOX 360 will my files on my hard drive become available wirelessly for use on my computer and also be available to be retrieved wired to my 360?

You do not want to do that. You can't connect two computers (the Xbox and AEBS) to the same USB bus. Not only won't it work but you may damage one or both (the Xbox and AEBS).

Help setting up Open DNS with new airport extreme

I cant seem to get Open DNS to work with a new airport extreme. The status says I am not using Open DNS and its not filtering anything. I have followed the exact steps for set up listed on their website, checked the dns settings, cleared both caches and restarted the computer, modem and router with no success. I set the airport up in bridged mode, although I tried the other option under setup, but not sure what I was doing? I picked up this router because I wanted easy set up and the apple store assured me it would work with Open DNS. Oh, and I also downloaded the latest firmware update on the router. Can anyone help me with the settings or what else I need to check?

Sorry, I am not familiar with this product, so I checked online to pick up some information. Here I am referring to the information found here:
http://www.dslreports.com/faq/6096
I found that your device is mentioned as follows in the intro under Section 1 of this document:
The BellSouth supplied Westell 2100, 2200 and 6100 models (Models A90-210030-04, B90-220030-04, and B90-610030-06/C90-610030-06, respectively) share many features and functions.
Next, I am referring to the information under Section 2, under the heading of Standard Default Mode Connection (separate hub or switch present). Unless you have changed the configuration on the Westell, this is how your device is operating. In this mode, the Westell device is acting both as a modem and router in one unit.
So, an attached router (AirPort Extreme) must be configured as a switch to work correctly. That is what Bridge Mode is....the AirPort Extreme is operating as a switch when it is in Bridge Mode (which would be the correct setting to use when the Westell is set to its Standard Default Mode).
Any changes that you want to make regarding DNS settings would need to be made on the Westell device, since it is acting as the main router on your network.
In Bridge Mode, the AirPort Extreme simply passes that information through to its connected devices. You will not be able to make any DNS related changes on the AirPort Extreme since it receives that info from the Westel device. Some service providers force you to use their DNS servers, so you might want to check with Bell South or AT&T for more information in this regard.
If you want to be able to configure the AirPort Extreme as the main router on your network, and instruct it to use the DNS information that you want, you will need to refer to the section under the heading of Bridged Ethernet Mode ( separate router present).
Please note that the first item under this heading specifies that "This is the preferred configuration when using a separate external router..." (which would be the AirPort Extreme in your case)
So, it appears to me that this would be the way that you must reconfigure the Westell device to allow the AirPort Extreme to function as the "main" router on your network. In this type of setup, you will be able to enter the DNS information that you want to use under the setup for the AirPort Extreme and it will act as you instruct.
The AirPort Extreme would not be configured in Bridge Mode for this....it would be configured to "Share a public IP address".
The next item in the article specifies that you "Must use a PPPoE client on the Router." This means that the AirPort Extreme would be configured to Connect Using = PPPoE as follows:
AirPort Utility - Manual Setup
Click the Internet icon
Click the Internet Connection tab
Connect Using = PPPoE
You would enter your user name (probably your email address), password, etc in this area. Leave the Service Area box completely blank. Set Connection to Always On, and Disconnect if Idle to Never
Click Update to save the new settings. Power off the Westell device after this and then restart it so that it will pick up the new information that you have programmed into the AirPort Extreme.
I want to stress that this is how I would try to configure the Westell and AirPort Extreme. But, as I said, have not used a Westell device, so I cannot say that this will work correctly for you.
It might be an excellent idea to contact Bell South or AT&T Support to ask for their opinion on this before you decide to change the configuration of the Westel device and the AirPort Extreme.
This type of thing can be intimidating for users, so you might elect to use the services of someone like the Geek Squad at Best Buy, or a similar service from a local computer firm. Perhaps the Apple store could help as well.
If it is not critical that you use Open DNS, you might want to simply leave things "as is", with the AirPort Extreme in Bridge Mode.

How do i use the airport extreme to extend my wireless network

How do i connected my airport extreme up to my existing network so that it can extend my wireless through out the house ??
Can it be done wirelessly or do i need an ethernet cable thats about 10m ?
Keith

The AirPort Exteme can "extend" your existing wireless network (using wireless only) if it is being provided by another Apple router.
If your current main router is not an Apple product, then you will need to plan to connect the AirPort Extreme to your router using an Ethernet cable.
Post back for more information if needed.

How do I configure port forwarding on Airport Extreme via Win 7/64?

Hello all,
I'm trying to forward some ports in order to correct issues with setting up servers for video games, i.e. I can connect but another can't while yet another can connect fine, etc. So far, despite thorough Google searching, I have not been able to find a solution that matches my exact problem.
The specific ports I want to forward are 7777 and 25565. Currently, my connection is through Northstate Communications using an ADSL modem/router (Zhone Model No. 6218-I2-200-0NS) hooked up to an Airport Express + Time Capsule (Model No. A1254, version 7.5.2). As far as I know, the only reason the Airport Extreme is there is for the time capsule, but I don't know for sure whether my computer is actually connecting to the internet through one or through the other. I didn't set it up originally, unfortunately.
I currently can't edit the settings for the Zhone. Supposedly, typing 192.0.0.1 into the address bar of my web browser should open the router configuration utility, but instead it returns "Oops! Google Chrome could not find <address>." I can, however, use the AirPort Utility for Windows to edit all of the AirPort's settings. I have followed the instructions in this YouTube video to forward the port 7777 using the AirPort Utility: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OFad6NvddRk but changes I make to Advanced/Port Mapping apparently do not work because www.whatsmyip.org and www.canyouseeme.org report that a test of port 7777 is either timing out or unavailable, respectively.
I am concerned that the IP address automatically provided for me when I create a new port mapping is not the correct IP address since it is 10.x.x.x, which I can't find anywhere in any settings on the computer or online. But, when I type in the IP address I get from www.whatsmyip.org (97.x.x.x) and then go back to edit the setting I created, it has apparently reverted to 10.x.x.x without saving the address I entered.
So, what am I doing wrong? Do I need to change some settings in the Zhone router before it will work, and if so, how can I access it? What is the 10.x.x.x address that the AirPort Utility assigns to new port mappings by default? Since I intend to use Hamachi to host the game server, do I need to use the IP address given to me by that program (5.x.x.x) instead? As far as I can determine, all my drivers are up to date. Any assistance would be much appreciated. Other system specs given below:
CPU: AMD Phenom II X4 945 3.00 GHz
MB: MSI 790FX-GD70 AM3 AMD
RAM: Corsair Dominator 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM 1600 (PC3 12800)
Mushkin Enhanced Blackline 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM 1333 (PC3 10666)
GPU: Sapphire 100258-1GHDMI Radeon HD 4850 1GB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16
Wireless: AZiO AWD102N PCI Wireless Adapter
OS: Windows 7 64-bit
-R

Thanks for your response. I attempted to do that, but I couldn't find any way to access the configuration for the Zhone router. Typing the IP address into my web browser's address bar only resulted in "page could not be found" or "page timed out", etc. I called tech support at Northstate, who likewise suggested that the Zhone router should be set to bridge mode and the AEBS set to router mode since it would be easier for me to configure the AirPort. After wrangling a bit with them over my inability to change any settings for the Zhone, they sent a technician over. He messed around with the Zhone, apparently putting it in bridge mode, and we managed to get the AirPort to work without any double NAT errors. I reset the AirPort and created a new configuration file. Unfortunately, when I went to the Advanced/Port Mapping menu and repeated the original steps to forward port 7777, tests at www.whatsmyip.org still returned "timed out". The technician said he wasn't knowledgable enough about Apple products to assist me any further and suggested I call their tech support or visit the nearest Genius Bar. So that's about it. Any other ideas?

How do I connect my airport extreme to wifi as a repeater

how do I connect my airport extreme to wifi as a repeater?

Thanks for the info.
Unfortunately, Apple has designed their routers to only extend or repeat the wireless signal from other Apple routers.
It would be extremely unlikely that the AirPort Extreme would be able to extend or repeat a wireless signal from another manufacturer's router.
I suppose that it could not hurt to try, but if the Extreme is still unopened, it might be a better idea to return the Extreme, get the information about the router at the neighbor's and then use a product from the same manufacurer that would be compatible to repeat or extend the wireless.

How do I set up Airport Extreme with cable modem and router?

Hi--
I'm having a house built and all of the wiring for TV, phone, and internet will be centralized in a closet. The cable modem can be placed there as well. In one room in the basement I want to use my Airport Extreme for my iMac and USB external hard drives. In another location of the basement, I'd like to set up a Time Capsule for another desktop and USB printer. If the cat5e comes out of the wall at each location, I "think" I need a router at the closet location. I also thought I might need an Airport Express upstairs on first or second floor to boost signal for my laptop. The house isn't that big so maybe that's overkill. So beyond the router question, do I want to set up a roaming network and have the Airport Express connected via ethernet or just wireless if the thought is that I need this? Finally, if I should connect cable modem to router to Airport Extreme, Time Capsule, etc., in what order and ports does the equipment get connected? Many thanks!!

Welcome to the discussions, Forum Girl!
It would be best to position the cable modem and main router in the central location like the closet if possible. The other devices would connect via ethernet to the wall jacks in each room.
If you could setup a "roaming" wireless network as you mention, this will give you better wireless performance and coverage. This is the way commercial establishments like airports, businesses, etc. are configured for wireless.
The order of connection would go something like this: ethernet connection > cable modem >main router>devices. Devices could be computers, routers, a backup device, etc. Since the Extreme has only 3 LAN ports for ethernet connections, you will also need to plan to install an "ethernet switch" near the location of the main router to provide enough ethernet jacks. If you are planning to use DirectTV, etc or your audio/video devices require ethernet connections (most new products do for updates and extra features), be sure to plan for that as well.
Make sure that CAT5e or CAT6 wiring is run so you will be able to take advantage of faster gigabit speeds.
Finally, it would be a good idea to work with an IT specialist to go over your plans to make sure all the bases are covered. This would be money well spent.

AirPort Extreme . . . a dodgy product?

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