Airport Extreme or less expensive Linksys?

I would like to purchase a wireless router for my iBook. We use cable internet. I'd like something simple to set up and inexpensive. Having no clue about Wireless "G" or similar info, can anyone assist me in finding the best wireless modem? The airport extreme was recommended but I'm looking for something less than $180 that does an excellent job.
TIA
Chuck

Since your iBook is only capable of 802.11g, there would be no immediate advantage to getting an 802.11n router, regardless of manufacturer.
If you just want wireless, and want to stick with Apple, you may want to consider the AirPort Express Base Station (AX). The advantage of the AX is the ability to share a USB printer and/or stream iTunes.
Of course, other vendors, like Belkin, D-Link, & Linksys also make dependable wireless routers as well. For example the Linksys WRT54G has been around for a while and would be a good option to explore.

Similar Messages

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    I have a Linksys WRT160N V3 Router that I have connected to my cable modem. I have an iMac in another room along with a PC based laptop. Range is fine to get them to connect wirelessly. However what I would like to do is to also connect my Blu-Ray device to the internet. However it isn't wireless. I was told I could use an Airport Extreme to bridge to my WRT160N. What I want to do is hardwire connect my Blu-Ray player and perhaps my iMac to the Airport Extreme using my WRT160n's access to the cable modem. Basically I'm trying to make to wirelss routers talk to each other. I can't seem to make the Airport Extreme work. Any assistance would be great.
    Thanks,
    Tim

    Welcome to the discussions, Gonzotoo!
    +I was told I could use an Airport Extreme to bridge to my WRT160N+
    Unfortunately, this is not correct. The AirPort Extreme does not have the capability that you need. If you could connect the Linksys and Extreme together using an ethernet cable, it would function as you wish. Or, if it's not possible to connect them using an ethernet cable, you might take a look at a pair of ethernet powerline adapters to accomplish the same task by using the AC wiring in your home.

  • Airport Extreme connected to a linksys router - need help finding PCs on ls

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    Hello and Welcome to Apple Discussions. 
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    File Sharing.
    cheers
    mrtotes

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  • Set up DynDNS access through existing network with new Airport Extreme

    Hey everyone!
    I just can't seem to figure out what I am doing wrong here...
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    Thank in advance for any ideas or suggestions!

    maxyourmacs, Welcome to the discussion area!
    I am wondering if I should turn off IP distribution on the Airport Extreme and let the Linksys router handle all that?
    Yes
    The software that the other wireless iMacs run to access the database on the server depends on the server IP address too, so will this need to be changed if the Linksys is handling IP addressing?
    Probably
    How does the hub affect any of this... does it change or interfere with the addressing in any way?
    It has no affect.

  • Network set up using airport extreme, time capsule and airport express

    I have searched for relevant answers but can only find different bits here and there.
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    I have been trying for 4 days to set this up but without success. I have tried all of the options mentioned in different posts, using WDS, extending a new network etc. I can get connection between the three devices but monitoring on iStumbler there appears to be little improvement in the strength of the signal, iStumbler also shows the time capsule dropping it's signal totally every 10 or so seconds for a few seconds and then I get a positive signal strength for another ten seconds or so.
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    I have an AirPort Extreme acting as a wireless base station, connected to a BT router by ethernet.
    Then the correct setting for Connection Sharing on the AirPort Extreme would be "Off (Bridge Mode)".
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  • Airport Extreme issue with printer

    I recently switched to an Airport Extreme to replace my linksys router.   Since then, I am no longer able to find my Epson Artisan 810 printer when I try to install it.  (I'd been printing with it for about a year prior). My PC has no problem with printing and all of my devices are able to find the wireless signal with no issues.   I also added OS X Lion at the same time.   Now  I am unable to print through my Macbook Pro.  Has anyone had similar issues and found a solution.  Thank you!!

    I just spent several hours linking an Epson Workforce 600 printer to a new Airport Extreme network. On the printer, I reset the printer to its original settings. It was then recognized by the Epson setup software program.

  • Airport extreme loses touch

    I have an airport extreme conected to a linksys cable modem and networked to a G4 and an emac both running 10.3. This setup worked flawlessly for 4 years. Then without any changes I could no longer get access through the base station. The network shows up and the signal is strong. I did a firm reset and got everything to work again for 3 or 4 days before the problem started anew. This cycle has been going on now for over two weeks. I have updated the firmware and the software. There is a surge protector on the power supply. I can connect the G4 directly to the modem so I dont think it is the cable.
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    The AirPort Extreme built-in your iMac is a wireless adapter (much like the one built-in the iPhone). It is not a wireless router. However, you could use your iMac's OS X Internet Sharing feature to share the iMac's Internet connection to the iPhone ... effectively turning the built-in wireless adapter into a software router.
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    Setup the Network
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    o Block all incoming connections (enabled)
    Enable Internet Sharing - iMac
    System Preferences > Sharing
    o Select "Internet Sharing" from the options in the left column
    o Share your connection from: Built-in Ethernet
    o To computers using: AirPort (checked) (Note: Uncheck all other entries in the list.)
    AirPort Options...
    o Network Name: <anything you want>
    o Channel: Automatic
    o Enable encryption (using WEP) (optional)
    o Password: (optional)
    o Confirm Password: (optional)
    o WEP Key Length: (optional)
    o Click OK
    o Select "Internet Sharing" again
    o Click "Start" to start Internet Sharing
    o Click Start

  • What is the current generation Airport Extreme?

    My current Airport Extreme is less than a year old and is the fourth generation model. However, I keep seeing "Airport Extreme 5th generation" online and I am not sure if there is a 5th generation available now.

    Shipments of the 5th Generation AirPort Extreme started in June 2011.

  • Airport utility doesn't see airport extreme

    i bought an Airport Extreme to replace a Linksys router that works but with a weak range.
    I disconnected my Linksys router and plugged the cables into the Airport Extreme as per the instructions (btw, i don’t know why Apple has to use the silly little icons instead of labeling the WAN connection ‘Internet,’ but whatever.) I plugged in the power. The Link light for the connection came on.
    The Airport Extreme status light glowed amber.
    I ran the Airport utility on an iPad. It says it doesn’t see any Airport Extreme.
    The Airport Extreme started flashing amber.
    I read the troubleshooting instructions. I powered down the cable modem. I pushed the reset button on the Airport Extreme. I unplugged everything, plugged it in again. I tried the Airport utility on an iPhone. It said it didn't see any Airport Extreme. I checked the Airport utility on the iPad. Still didn't see anything.
    I plugged my Linksys router back in and everything works.
    Huh?

    Power off the cable modem for 5-10 minutes to allow it to reset. It will not recognize the AirPort until it resets correctly.
    Connect the Ethernet cable from the cable modem to the WAN "O" port on the AirPort
    Please go back to the home screen on the iPad
    Tap Settings (gear icon)
    Tap WiFi
    Just under the heading of Setup a New AirPort Base Station, a listing of AirPort Extreme should appear.
    Does it? If yes,
    Tap on AirPort Extreme to start the setup "wizard" and follow the prompts.

  • Extend a WRT54G with Airport Extreme

    Good afternoon everyone,
    I am attempting to use my AEBS to extend an 802.11b/g wireless network from a Linksys WRT54G router. My landlord has the linky locked in his side of the duplex, but runs his network unprotected. This makes me feel unsafe using it, so what I thought I could to was connect the AEBS to the linky's network, then use that incoming network connection to created a guest network on the AEBS that IS encrypted while also extending the signal to some weaker parts of the house (like the garage). Here's is what I have tried and the results I have gotten:
    - I reset the AEBS and put it in "Join a wireless network" mode. It is able to locate the unsecured linksys network and receive a valid DHCP lease. So far so good...
    - I go to the wireless tab in the Airport Utility (AU) and change it to "Extend a wireless network" mode. The linky network is in the "Wireless network name" field and excryption is set to none. I am not creating the guest network at this time as I want to make sure I can extend the network first before adding another element to the equation.
    - After clicking update and waiting for a reset cycle, the AEBS give two errors. One is the unsecured network warning (which I am ok with) the other is an "Extended Network" error:
    - When I go into the internet tab of the AU, it shows that I am receiving a proper DHCP lease from the linky and that the AEBS *should* be receiving a valid internet connection.
    - However, when I attempt to access the linksys network from the garage, the network has not been extended at all and is just as weak there. Also, when I attempt to turn on the guest network and update the AEBS, the guest network never shows on my MBPs list of available networks.
    Anyone have any thoughts? It seems like the linky is accepting the AEBS as a device and leasing it an IP address well enough, but the AEBS just isn't extending the network properly and I am not sure why not. Below are the vitals of what I am running. Thanks in advance!
    Computer: Late 2008 Unibody MBP running OS 10.8.2 and Airport Utility 6.2
    AEBS: Gen 3 running FW 7.6.3
    Linky: WRT54G running FW 3.37.6 (and I do have access to the CP of the linky, just not access to the physical router)

    I am attempting to use my AEBS to extend an 802.11b/g wireless network from a Linksys WRT54G router
    Apple tells us that the "extend" feature will only work if you have another Apple router producing the wireless network.
    As far as we know.....and have tested with numerous 3rd party routers, including the Linksys WRT54G.....the "extend" feature is not compatible with products from other manufacturers.
    - I reset the AEBS and put it in "Join a wireless network" mode. It is able to locate the unsecured linksys network and receive a valid DHCP lease.
    "Join a wireless network" does not provide any additional wireless signal coverage. In your case, it really does not do anything unless you want to try to connect a printer or hard drive to the USB port on the AirPort Extreme. Even if you could do this, other users would "see" the device on the network.
    I go to the wireless tab in the Airport Utility (AU) and change it to "Extend a wireless network" mode. The linky network is in the "Wireless network name" field and excryption is set to none.
    "Extend" would be the right setting to provide more wireless signal coverage.....but I would be extremely surprised if it worked for the reasons stated above.
    Even in the unlikely event that you might be able to get it to work, the AirPort could not create a Guest Network...it could only "extend" the main network. As you know, the Linksys does not have a Guest Network feature.
    Your possible options would appear to be....
    1) Check with Linksys to see if they might have a compatible product that would "repeat" or extend the wireless signal
    2) Try a "universal" repeater from a company like Netgear to see if that might work
    3) Connect the AirPort Extreme back to the Linksys router using a wired Ethernet connection. If it is not possible to run the Ethernet cable, a pair of HomePlug Ethernet powerline adapters might be able to send a signal over the existing powerlines if everything is on the same master AC circuit
    Options 1) and 2) would not allow you to create a private wireless network. Option 3) would if you configure the AirPort Extreme in Router mode to handle DHCP and NAT services for the network. You will have a Double NAT error on the network, but this is usually not a serious problem on a simple network.

  • Mixing Airport Extreme and Airport in a Network?

    I have a wired network (Linksys router) with both PCs and Macs. I have an airport extreme connected to the Linksys router. Another wired connection to the Linksys goes to the opposite end of the house (where the AE signal ranges from medium to not available), and is only used by TIVO. How would I use my old Airport base station (not extreme) to boost signal in that part of the house? Would I want it wired through the Airport extreme, or directly to the linksys (or do I need to wire it all). I still want an internet hardwire connection for TIVO, which I assume I would connect to the ABS. How do I make sure that a laptop can seemlessly go from the AEBS to the ABS without difficulty. Thanks!!

    Buy a simple four-port ethernet switch (NOT a router) at your local computer shop. At the opposite end of the house where you current use the Tivo, connect the existing cable, the Tivo, and your old Base Station's ethernet LAN port to ports on the switch.
    Configure the old Base Station as follows:
    - same Airport name as your Airport Extreme
    - same security type and password as your Airport Extreme
    - uncheck the setting to "Distribute IP addresses" found under the Network tab of the Airport Admin Utility.
    Also, manually configure the wireless channels on both Base Stations (a setting found under the Airport tab of the Airport Admin Utility) so that they are different AND at least three channels apart from each other.

  • PC cannot find Airport Extreme Network

    HELP! I'm an amature in computer configurations and know as much to get by. I need to set up my son's desktop PC (win XP) wirelessly for use with the Airport Extreme using a USB Linksys Wireless B Network Adapter. (Also found my iTouch will not work with the Linksys unit) I set up my laptop (win Vista) it works great.
    A message on my PC says "You are connected to the access point but the internet cannot be found." Am I missing something? I put in a new WEP key as requested, and used the same configurations as the Linksys and still nothing. Could this be my network adapter? or a setting? I tried finding other networks and those could not be found, not even the neighbors wireless units.
    Any help with this is much appreciated.

    Make sure you are running in b/g compatible mode.
    One of the problems with WEP is that the actual standard relies on a 10 character HEX key for 40bit WEP and a 26 character HEX key for 128bit WEP.
    In order to make things easier for people, vendors use certain algorithms to convert simple alphanumeric passwords (or passphrases) into HEX keys, thus enabling people to use simple memorable WEP password rather than lengthy HEX keys.
    The problem is that different vendors use different algorithms to generate the HEX key and therefore a ASCII password on an AEBS will be hashed differently on a Netgear client and vice versa.
    One thing is a 13 character 128 bit WEP password will be hashed by all vendors in the same way (if you use 40bit WEP then a 5 character password is required).
    Though sometimes not even that works and the HEX key must be used regardless.
    AirPort: Joining an encrypted wireless network
    http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=106424
    Choosing a password for networks that use Wired Equivalent Privacy (WEP)
    http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=108058
    You may find the guides here useful:
    Accessing a Airport Network with a Windows XP PC or laptop (with XP SP2)
    http://tech.ifelix.net/1011.html
    Problems connecting an XP PC to an Airport Base Station
    http://tech.ifelix.net/2002.html
    iFelix

  • I just bought the AIrport Extreme to replace an older Linksys wireless g router. But I am still getting a fairly low signal, not showing much improvement from the previous router. What gives?

    I just bought the airport extreme router to replace my older linksys g router because of a poor signal. Now that I have the new router running, I'm not seeing much improvement from the previous router! What gives?

    I too recently bought the Extreme to replace an old Linksys G and discoverd that the range of the new Extreme was surprising less than the Linksys.
    Nothing had changed otherwise; both routers were installed in the same place (on floor, under a cabinet in the middle of my house).
    I returned the Airport Extreme to Amazon and bought another (the latest version), and the same problem exists, i.e., I can't get a signal at the corners of my small home with the Airport, where I once could with the Linksys.
    I'm puzzled, but think that difference must be that the Linksys has 2 large external antennas and the Extreme's antennas are mounted internally.
    I've also noticed that Apple sells a wall mount for the Airport Extreme and am assuming this is to get the Airport up and out into the open in order to improve its 'send and receive' characteristics, no?
    If your Extreme is hidden in a cabinet or under some piece of furniture, I suggest you move it into the open and see if this helps extend its range.
    Hope this helps.
    John

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