Extremely basic 802.11n questions

I just replaced an older AirPort hub with a Time Capsule, and I'm puzzled about the status of 802.11n networking.
I only connect wirelessly to the Time Capsule with two core2duo machines (a MacBook and a MacBook Pro). The one older machine in the house with a pre-extreme AirPort card, a G5 iMac, is connected directly via ethernet. I had been under the impression that the MacBooks needed to be enabled for 802.11n use, but the Time Capsule disk does not appear to contain the 802.11n enabler (although this IS referenced in the opening ReadMe). Is there an enabler somewhere that I need to apply to these two machines? Is this automatically part of Leopard (as some things I've read have implied) or of something else? How can I determine that the machines really are enabled for 802.11n use?
And then, how do I determine whether the network is actually running at 802.11n speed (and range)? My understanding is that connecting any non-n device (presumably including my iPhone) to the network will cause it to revert to b/g; how do I determine that this has happened? And does it revert back to n immediately after the non-n device disconnects?
Thanks for any information, or for pointers to something more comprehensive on this than what I've found so far.

James A. Weston wrote:
I don't know how to test the so-called "speed" of a wireless network other than to use a stopwatch, but my understanding is that a mixed n/g/b network is only slowed down when a b or g client is actually using the network.
And one g client using the network would slow down n-client users but not all the way down to g speeds. In other words, the n network does not revert to a g network.
Assuming your understanding is correct, that answers the basic question I was asking. It also suggests that there's no reason for me to carefully turn off wireless networking on my iPhone whenever I'm home: it won't slow down network backups to Time Capsule unless I'm actually doing something significant on it.
Thanks.

Similar Messages

Best way to configure Airport Extreme Gigabit 802.11n

Hi, new to this router stuff. Just bought the Airport Extreme Gigabit 802.11n. Seems to be working much better than my old router furnished by my cable company. Still, wondering how to get the most out of it. So, have a few questions...
1. How do I know If I'm getting the "n" connection. Don't know if the modem they gave me works with this. Is there a way to see which connection is working? G/B/N?
2. Channels: I'm on 6 by default. Is it worth trying others to see if one is faster than another? How?
3. Firewall: I was told the router already has a firewall in it. So, turned off the firewall on my mac 24. If true, do I still need to configure this firewall on the router side? HOw? To what? Don't know the best configuration to use as a rookie.
4. Any other ideas to tweek this baby to get the most out of it?
Thanks all. I'll defer to the experts now.

Please check out the following Apple Support article for details on the various options available to you with using multiple base stations for extending a wireless network. If you have any questions or need further assistance please don't hesitate to post back.

Is it possible to add a firewall Filter or Rule Set to the Extreme Router (802.11n)

Is it possible to add a firewall Filter or Rule Set to the setting for the Extreme Router (802.11n) like the following:
"ALLOW TCP/UDP IN/OUT to 208.67.222.222 or 208.67.220.220 on Port 53" and
"BLOCK TCP/UDP IN/OUT all IP addresses on Port 53"
The goal of this is to create a firewall rule to only allow DNS (TCP/UDP) to OpenDNS' servers and restrict all other DNS traffic to any other IPs.
Or, alternatively is there a way to configure same applied to the Network preferences on IMAC OS X?
Thanks and much appreciation to anyone who has any clue about this.

Sorry, I think you've got it backwards.
The concern is NOT that the child can make changes to our hardware/AEBS, or even our network software on my IMAC - nothing's been changed.
BUT, he changed the dns settings on his OWN device (ie chromebook) to google public server, accessed the AE using our home wifi network BUT bypassed our dns settings. Capeesh?
See: http://www.pocketables.com/2013/03/how-to-use-change-the-dns-settings-on-your-ch romebook-and-use-googles.html

Need Help with extending Airport Extreme w/802.11n

I would like to find a way, if there is one, to extend the coverage of my Airport Extreme w/802.11n. My object is to be able to share my home network with a 2nd house on my property which is approx. 90-100' away from main house and Airport Extreme w/802.11n base station. This home base station is connected to my iMac and I would like to extend it to allow my Dell PC w/ Win XP in 2nd house to connect to the internet/share files/share printer.
Is this possible and what would I need on the PC side to accomplish this wirelessly?
Thank You in advance for your help.
Daniel

Is the 2nd house on a the same electrical box as the main house? If it's the same, then you can try the powerline ethernet solution.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16833122168
You will find it cheaper than most outdoor point-to-point bridge solutions.

AEBS 802.11n questions..

Hi
I just bought an Airport Extreme Base Station. Pleased to say set was a doddle - connected my external HD and all is fine. Just a couple of questions:
1. how do I know the data transfer is at 802.11n? I have an imac that i need to upgrade to n with an adapter - my MacBook should be fine but how do I find out what speed data is transferring on which?
2. I had trouble setting up my Airport Express as a repeater. I configured this using WDS but two separate wifi signals were being detected and the AEBS stopped responding and refused to be recognised in Airport Utility. Can the AEx operate 802.11n?
3 What is the airport disk utility that was installed for? My ext HD works fine but nothing appears in this utility.
4 Finally, On my IMac two icons appear for my ext HD (its got 2 partitions) one has an airport signal icon and the other a network icon also can't get any icons to appear on my MacBook desktop, why these differences?
many thanks
Nick

If the Base Station radio is configured to n-only mode, then suffice it to say your wireless network will be running at n-speeds.
However, if you want to use an Airport Express with it, you will need to configure the Base Station for n with b/g compatibility. The Airport Express does not support n speeds.
There are several different ways a Mac can mount an Airport disk. Your questions will probably be answered in this article: AirPort: How to mount an AirPort Extreme USB hard disk volume in Mac OS X and Windows

802.11n question

I just got my macbook pro hooked up to the airport extreme base station. I checked my settings for the hardware and says it is 802.11n enabled. Do I also have to install the aiport utility software that came on the cd as well? Also, how do I check for stronger range and/or signal? Thanks

If you have already set up the extreme from another mac, there is no need to install the software on your new MBP, although if you are using an airdisk this would be wise.
So far as judging range and signal, my opinion: (although I'll no doubt get flamed)
Walk around with the MBP, watch the signal strength and see how far you can go. In my opinion, far better to do a real test than rely on any fancy software which is no more than an estimate.

AEBS 802.11n question about bridging

using AEBS 802.11n and connecting to an existing network which is using DHCP...
internet button chosen
internet connection panel chosen
connect using : ethernet
configure ipv4 : using dhcp
ethernet wan port : automatic (default)
connection sharing : share a public ip address
is the AEBS acting as a bridge here? so, now the AEBS can pass out ip addresses that are different (local) network addresses than what the AEBS is receiving from the established network, which it is joining?? the established network 192.168.1 the AEBS DHCP network 10.0.1
internet button chosen
internet connection panel
connect using : ethernet
configure ipv4 : using dhcp
ethernet wan port : automatic (default)
connection sharing : Off (bridge mode)
or...
the AEBS is acting as a bridge here? (off (bridge mode)) can the AEBS pass out ip address using a different network address here? and if it does so there will be no NAT functionality?
what does it mean to have DHCP functionality and no NAT. does using DHCP and no NAT mean that each computer, on the local network connected to the AEBS, that segment, must have a static address?

In your first configuration, where connection sharing = share a public IP address, the AEBSn is still acting as a wireless router and, effectively, has created a second wireless subnet.
In the second configuration, where connection sharing = Off (bridge mode), the AEBSn is "passing thru" the NAT/DHCP services from the router it's connected to so any devices connected to the AEBSn will still be on the same network as the upstream router.

Voltage specs and international question about Airport Extreme (802.11n)

I'm about to travel to Korea to teach English for a year so I'm preparing all my electronic gear for the journey and I've come to a curious question involving the Airport Extreme with 802.11n.
First of all, I'm worried about voltage (Korea runs on 220v / 60Hz). For most hard drives (and Apple hardware in general it seems) the power supply is auto-switching 100-240v 50/60 Hz, but when I looked at the official specs for the Airport Extreme (hereafter AEBS) this info is conspicuously absent. The AEBS itself runs on 12V DC power, which is listed in the specs, but the input tolerance for the AC adapter isn't mentioned. I checked the specs for the Time Capsule since the hardware is presumably very similar and it is explicitly 100-240v. Likewise the replacement power supply available from Apple is listed as 100-240v, but since it is a replacement part I'm not sure if it is the exact same make as the adapter that ships with the AEBS in North America. If someone knows the definitive specs, I would appreciate an answer.
Secondly, when I tried searching the Korean Apple site (www.apple.co.kr) for specs on the Korean version of the AEBS to see if it was the same, I discovered that the Airport Extreme isn't available in Korea (although the Airport Express and Time Capsule). Does anyone know why this is? Is it possible the Airport Extreme doesn't comply with Korean wireless standards (I know the iPhone isn't being released in Korea because of laws about middleware that must be installed on cellular phones in Korea)? It seems safe given the availability of the Time Capsule in Korea, but does anyone have any specific knowledge about the Airport Extreme or Wi-fi regulations in Korea?
Sorry if this is a strange question, but I'd appreciate insight from the more experienced/advanced Apple users out there.
-Matt Tranquada

Thanks for the response. I guess what I would like to know is if I am closer to the newer 802.11n AE base station with my laptop, will it ignore the older base station and communicate directly with the stronger signal, or does it communicate with the weaker, more distant signal. Does the laptop automatically determine which base station has a stronger signal and choose it, or is it fixed which base station the laptop communicates with?

Airport extreme 802.11n card for 2 Gh intel core duo MacBook pro

can I upgrade my 2 Gh core duo MacBook's airport card to work with the new airport extreme?
802.11n base station. I could not find any info on the apple site.
thnks

This has been discussed ad nauseam in the MacBook Pro forum, Internet, and Networking the MacBook Pro. Please check there.
http://discussions.apple.com/forum.jspa?forumID=1153

802.11n AirPort Extreme and Express

Hello,
Thank you in advance for all your help and replies, I truly appreciate it.
I'm looking to purchase an 802.11n Airport Extreme and AirPort Express. I want to setup the Extreme next to my DSL modem and setup the Express in another room and have it extend the wireless network. The Express will also serve as an ethernet port from my DVR unit. I have read different posts that indicated that if I setup the Express to wirelessly connect to the Extreme, via WDS, or some other method, the wireless network will be downgraded to 802.11g. I currently have a 802.11g wireless network. I have one Buffalo Technology 802.11g wireless router and one Buffalo Technology 802.11g router (setup as an access point) and can do everything I need except connect a external HD via USB.
If at all possible, I would like the entire network (Extreme and Express) to use the same SSID and password. Have the Extreme perform the MAC filtering, provide DHCP address, and service a guest network.
So, do I understand what I have read correctly, that connecting an 802.11n Extreme and 802.11n Express via wireless (WDS, or other method) will downgrade the network to 802.11g? Are there any other recommendations on how I should connect these two devices and provide 802.11n service?
Again, thank you in advance.
--GMReed

When using the "extend" feature with the new 802.11n base stations, the extended wireless network operates in the 802.11n mode. I believe you may be referring to one of two things that may have led you to that conclusion: 1) When extending a network with the older static version of a WDS, the extended network operates in the 802.11g mode. This is true when either or both base stations are 802.11g models, and 2) Non-"n" wireless clients, connected to a "n" network, will bring the network down to the lowest bandwidth level of the oldest standard. Although connecting these types of clients does affect the overall bandwidth available to "n" clients, it does NOT bring the overall wireless network down to "g" or "b" level.
>If at all possible, I would like the entire network (Extreme and Express) to use the same SSID and password.
By default, both base stations must uses the same Network Name or SSID and wireless password to work properly.
>Have the Extreme perform the MAC filtering, provide DHCP address, and service a guest network.
For MAC filtering in an extended network, both base stations must be configured with the same MAC addresses for all clients that you want access to the extended network. The Extreme would provide DHCP service, but (unfortunately) you cannot extend the guest network.

Airport extreme 802.11n plus airport express as wds

hi,
with my new mb air i´ll want to upgrade to airport extreme and 802.11n. right now i´m using airport express which i´d like to keep as it supports airtunes. my idea is to make a wds network and use the express station as a range extender. now i´m wondering if i get any performance problems because the extreme station is "n". i´m afraid the whole network could run in 802.11b/g?!
- christian

OrthoProf:
No, there is no way to do this using nothing more than your existing Airport Extreme N Base Station. If you want to use an Airport Express as a wireless client to an Airport Extreme N Base Station, you must have "b/g compatible mode" enabled on that Base Station.
Christian wasn't implying that he had an Airport Express working with an Airport Extreme N Base Station in "n-only" mode. He actually had the same concerns you have over the fact that his Airport Extreme N Base Station would have to run in "b/g compatible mode" were he to use his Airport Express with his new Base Station - nence the reason he started this discussion.
Ben recommended setting up a dual-band wireless network. You could do this too - but you would have to purchase another wireless access point (like another Airport Express) which would be cabled to your Airport Extreme N Base Station. That new access point would provide b/g wireless access to b/g capable wireless clients (like the remote Airport Express you are streaming iTunes to) and would allow the Airport Extreme N Base Station to be configured in n-only mode for n-capable wireless clients.

802.11n (5Ghz) / UK / Performance

Hi,
I have an Airport Extreme upstairs and 2 x Airport Expresses downstairs (one is extending the network, the other is an ethernet bridge).
When I try and setup the extreme as 802.11n (5GHz only) I get dreadful coverage to downstairs (my MacBook and Expresses can't see it at all). I can connect in the same room via my MacBook but that's about it. With b/g compatibility all is fine again but I really want to boost my internet speed to the lounge where the expresses reside (by boosting the household wireless overall).
I saw old posts about changing country so you can use wide channels etc ... and I've tried some other country settings but the same problem with coverage. Is this a UK restriction - the lack of wide channels means a lack of coverage / performance under 802.11n only?
Thanks in advance for any advice ...

Higher frequency 5 GHz signals are absorbed by any obstructions, walls, etc much more quickly than 2.4 GHz signals. You really almost need line-of-sight between the computer and AirPort Extreme because the 5 GHz signals have much less penetration and distance power.

Airport Express 802.11n does not support 5 ghz range

I have a Airport Extreme and a Airport Express both are 802.11n. I have the Airport Extreme setup to 802.11n (5ghz only). The Airport Express 802.11n will not work in the 5ghz range no matter what I do.
If I change the Extreme to 802.11n (2.4 ghz only), and set the Express to 802.11n 2.4ghz, it works fine.
Both systems have been upgraded to the 5.3.1 firmware.
Apple claims the Express works in the 5ghz range. The unit I have does not..so what is the deal?
Steve

I finally got this to work at 5ghz.
BUT,
The Airport Utility that supports the Express is less then great. There is no manual option to set the Express at 5ghz as a client. I assume that Apple will fix this soon.
I also had the problem described in several places in this Discussion group, that the Express becomes un-available after changing the config. I finally just restored it to the default, unplugged it and let it sit overnight. Then I reprogrammed it, saved it, verified it works, then let it sit all day with out unplugging it. I then unplugged it and moved it to the location I wanted it at so I could stream music, and it worked fine at 802.11n/5ghz.

Airport Express 802.11g as a repeater of Airport Express 802.11n

I have an Airport network with Airport Extreme 5th generation (802.11n) and it works OK. Also, I have and old Airport Express firmware v6.3 just 802.11g. I want to enhance the network to achieve places with no coverage but I can not configure it as a repeater. Aparently all is working, but it is not repeating.
The Airport Extreme is configured to allow the expansion of the network. Everything looks OK. Maybe it doesn`t work because the Extreme is 802.11n and Express is 802.11g.
To setup the airport express I am using Airport Utility version 5.6. It doesn't have support with the last version.
Thanks
Sandra Perez

Maybe it doesn`t work because the Extreme is 802.11n and Express is 802.11g
Correct. You nailed it.
The older "b/g" Express does not have a setting to "Extend a wireless network"....which only appears on newer "n" AirPorts.
You will need a new AirPort Express for that capability. You can keep the older Express and use it for AirTunes or to connect a remote printer.

802.11n or no n?

I'm trying to buy a used AE but want to make sure it's one of the newer generation units that offers 802.11n. Knowing that older Express units have only b/g, is there any easy way to tell the difference on its surface without having to plug it in?

The part number should be printed on its case. These numbers are for the United States.
Express with 802.11g: M9470LL/A
Express with 802.11n: MB321LL/A
Used ones typically sell for over $60 plus shipping. Apple's price is $99 with free shipping, but you'll pay sales tax. Decide for yourself if this difference is worth the lack of a warranty.
Not that you asked but here are some Extreme part numbers for reference.
Extreme with 802.11n, but only 100 base-T: MA073LL/A
Above Extreme plus Gigabit Ethernet: MB053LL/A
Above Extreme plus dual band: MB763LL/A

Extremely basic 802.11n questions

Similar Messages

Maybe you are looking for