Which Router to choose--Linksys ea4500 or Airport Extreme

I originally bought an ea4500 Linksys router. I had some issues that I thought were due to the router. I then purchased an Apple Airport Extreme. I found that the same issues exist and that the problem is probably my computer setup. I now have to return one of the routers.
They both seem to work very well. The setup possibly was easier with the Airport Extreme, but that may be because everything was pretty much set up when I bought it after setting up the network with the Linksys. The Airport Extreme probably would be the choice if I only had Apple computers, but I have 3 Windows PC's (2 Vista PCs and 1 XP) and 2 Mac PCs (Macbook Pro with Lion and Mac G4 with Tiger? --10.4.11). I also have 2 iphones and 2 Kindle Fires.
I have tested putting a hard drive (formatted NTFS) with on the ea4500 and it reads fine. I have not tried to write to it with either the Macs or the PCs. I have not tried the hard drive with the Airport. The Airport is about $30 more than the Linksys. I can't see any real difference in the operation of the 2 routers.
I would like to have any comments/thoughts about which one I should choose (I know that I am probably in a biased community).

I read the features for both routers and like what you mentioned both actually seems to offer the same thing. Both supports simultaneous dual band for the wireless connection and also offers guest networks and you can also connect harddrives to it. It is a tough choice. I would go for the EA4500, trying not to be biased here. One of the reason is that I have received good tech support for the linksys(cisco) products that I have been using and that is one of the main things that I truly appreciate about in a company.

Similar Messages

Which is more powerful the old flat airport extreme or airport express

Which is more powerful the old flat airport extreme or an Airport express

The transmit power is the same on both the Airport Express and AirPort Extreme.
However, the AirPort Extreme has a better antenna arrangement than the Express, so it would normally provide a bit better range, all things being equal.
Depending on what version of the AirPort Extreme and AirPort Express that you might have, there may be some feature and performance differences in regard to wireless speed capability. In order to quantify that, we would need to know the exact model number of the AirPort Express that you are asking about, as well as the exact model number of the AirPort Extreme.
The model numbers of both products are found on the side or bottom of the device. Both models numbers start with an "A" followed by 4 numbers.
It would help if you could provide some idea of what your actual goal might be here, since a "better" signal does not necessarily mean that you would notice any difference in day to day performance.

HT4259 Q: Can I use an older Airport Express-g router (not -n) to extend my Airport Extreme-n wireless network? If Yes, are the instructions the same as for adding an Airport Express-n router?

Q: Can I use my older Airport Express-g router (not -n) to extend my Airport Extreme-n wireless network? If Yes, Are the instructions the same as for adding an Airport Express-n router?

If you want to extend, using wireless only, the 802.11g Express doesn't support this.
However, if you want to use bridge mode over Ethernet or Powerline adapters then this is supported.

Argh! Trying to Replace Linksys with New Airport Extreme...

Been fighting with this for hours...about ready to take the new Airport Extreme back ...Here's the deal:
I currently have a very wired and wireless 2story home professinally set up with 2 Linksys devices as the primary network and a couple previous generation airport expresses as extenders.   Due to video, audio and other systems the primary router for the network/WAN closet out in the garage needs to remain on the primary Linksys (non wifi) router. I want to replace the Linksys Wifi router (see below) that is puposely set up and has worked for several years as a double NAT config with the new Airport Extreme but i have tried duplicatiing the exact configs from the Linksys router and all the various ways you can use the Airport Express in DHCP/NAT and even in Bridge mode and it still wont work! I've never considered Linksys software easier (and definately more flexible and informative) to use than Apple until this experience! Very frustrating.... I'm being very explicit and using the typical Linksys config profiles below so as to hopefully help you translate this into specific configs i can wrangle into the Airport Extreme to make it work like the
Current Primary Network:
Current WAN Router / + 24 Port Switched LAN Network (for wired ethernet access ports used throughout house) > Linksys BEFSX41 + Linksys 24 port Switch locted in a custom built data /video / audio closet in garage
WAN IP: DHCP
LAN IP: 192.168.1.1
Subnet Mask: 255.255.255.0
Current WiFI Network > Linksys WRT160Nv2 (currently conected to the 24port switch via a hardwired ethernet wall port upstairs in my office)
Internet Connection Type: Static IP
WAN IP: 192.168.1.2
Subnet Mask: 255.255.255.0
LAN IP: 192.168.0.1
Subnet Mask: 255.255.255.0
Per config notes from the network engineer who i worked with to build this network when i built the house
"this allows the 192.168.0.x wifi device to successfully route to the 192.168.1.x wired router (and vice versa)"
My goal is to replace the Linksys WRT160Nv2 with the new Airport Extreme (whose range and ability to reach both upsatirs and outside to the beach is MUCH better) and locate it DOWNSTAIRS and connect it in the same way as the Linksys (via an ethernet port in the living room) to the same switch / router in the data closet.
I have tried to set up the new Airport Extreme to replicate this config several different ways both bridged and not bridged (including telling it to ignore the double NAT warning) with the latest.   I am pretty sure non-bridged is the right way to do it but i seem to lack a config parameter to tell the Airport Extreme to replicate the equivalent of the WRT160Nv2 settings despite trating all the submenues and options on the airport extreme set up / Airport Utility App. Do i have to telnet directly into the Airport Extreme config files to do this natively? Help!
PS - no i cannot / will not put the Airport Extreme in to replace the primary Linksys router in the data closet - there is no way it will fit or that its wifi could penetrate the EMI and insulation of all the other electronics in the data closet out in the garage and get a good connection into the house

The trick on the airport extreme is to change the DHCP .. when you change the DHCP it changes the actual IP of the AE..
So go to the setup and open the dhcp, in the network options and you can select by arrow the first two octets and replace the third.
I just posted info on this in another post..
https://discussions.apple.com/thread/5134560?tstart=30
Does this answer your question, as I am a bit unclear otherwise??
I have to say I do not like using double NAT.. it is becoming worse and worse as the amount of material on the internet that requires interactive connection increases.. you block so much by doing this.. double NAT is an issue .. not just ignore the warning.
There is no reason why you need double NAT.. you should have a single flat network. If you need to keep some things isolated from others the correct way to do it is vlan.. but you will need a better router than the old linksys to do it. And possibly a managed switch. Nowadays a managed 24 port gigabit switch is not a bad price at all.

Silly question, maybe. I want to change from Verizon DSL to cable, but cable company doesn't supply router. can I use my Airport Extreme as wireless router?

We currently have the following wireless home-network configuration, powered by Verizon DSL.
2 macbook pro’s
1 emachine
HP PhotoSmart 6122 all-in-one printer
Apple TV
Apple Airport Extreme Base Port A 1408
Westell 7500 router
Thinking I’d get wider wireless coverage throughout my 2 bedroom home, I purchased the Airport Extreme. It is connected to the router via its sole usb port. The result was only a tiny increase in speed, and no increase in coverage, so I don’t know why I have it.
We now want to change from DSL to cable, thus ditching Verizon. Our new cable provider supplies the cable box, but no router for wireless networking.
Here are my questions.
Can I use the Airport Extreme (AE) as a wireless router?
If so, how should I hook it up? Should the usb cable go from the AE to the cable box, and all the other devices connect wirelessly?
If not, how should I be using the AE to some advantage? What can I get out of the investment?
Thank you very much for your help! Beatriz

What I wrote has nothing to do with what the cable company charges for their installation. And, usually they will help with the router setup even if you supply your own router. I don't know what they will charge for the modem.
Note that you need to get just a modem. You don't want a modem/router combination. That will make using an AEBS effectively nearly impossible. You will need to ask specifically for just a standalone modem, and that you will supply your own router.

Which epson wireless printer will work with airport extreme (can not find out from epson)

three systems in use Win 7, Mac lion and vista. Former epson printer WF 600 would not link with my new airport extreme router despite multiple attempts through epson. Does anyone know of a wireless printer that will work? Thanks.

I had the same problem. It was fixed by running the silly app downloadable from their support page: http://support.lexmark.com/perl/support/support.cgi?ccs=229:1:0:0:0:0
Here's another way, through CUPS:
1) http://127.0.0.1:631/
2) Administration tab
3) Add Printer
4) Give Name, Location, and Description (pretty inconsequential)
5) Select device: Internet Printing Protocol (http)
6) Device URL: lexnet3://192.168.5.110:1 (the parts in bold must be there, the ip add is probably different)
7) Make: Lexmark
8) Model: 3600-4600 series (if this isn't there, you need to get the driver from Lexmark)
That should do it.
The printer will be in your system preferences.
The port number and the "lexnet3://" is the interesting part. Without them, I don't think you'll be able to get it working.
Good luck
Message was edited by: swbooth

Linksys WRT54GL and Airport Extreme dropping connections

In looking through these forums, I realize that people have had problems with their Linksys WRT54G routers and their Airport cards. There seem to be a lot of suggested fixes, but no definitive answer as to what's wrong. I don't know either, and after changing channels, changing Linksys firmware, changing encryption, creating background pings, and all of the recommended solutions, the problem persists. I wanted to document it here in the hopes that someone can figure out what's wrong. Here's a tail of /var/log/system.log during a period when the Mac was having trouble connecting to the Linksys. I don't believe that this is due to Wifi interference or the Linksys, since other machines in the house (a Mac running 10.4.8, but using a Cisco card), for example, don't have these same problems at this time.
Basically, this kind of behavior repeats for a half-hour or so, then settles down for "a while," where a while could be an hour or could be 6 hours, and then it repeats. I have no idea what the problem is, and I suspect it's a problem with the Airport Extreme, rather than with the Linksys. Ideas?
Feb 3 18:46:30 droopy kernel[0]: AirPort: Link Active: "67ramona" - 001839cf9822 - chan 1
Feb 3 18:46:30 droopy configd[54]: AppleTalk startup
Feb 3 18:46:36 droopy configd[54]: AppleTalk startup complete
Feb 3 18:50:22 droopy kernel[0]: AirPort: Link DOWN (AP deAuth 0)
Feb 3 18:50:22 droopy configd[54]: AppleTalk shutdown
Feb 3 18:50:22 droopy configd[54]: AppleTalk shutdown complete
Feb 3 18:50:26 droopy configd[54]: posting notification com.apple.system.config.network_change
Feb 3 18:50:26 droopy configd[54]: setting hostname to "droopy.local"
Feb 3 18:50:26 droopy lookupd[3212]: lookupd (version 369.5) starting - Sat Feb 3 18:50:26 2007
Feb 3 18:50:32 droopy kernel[0]: AirPort: Link DOWN (out-of-range 0)
Feb 3 18:50:38 droopy kernel[0]: AirPort: Link Active: "67ramona" - 001839cf9822 - chan 1
Feb 3 18:50:38 droopy configd[54]: AppleTalk startup
Feb 3 18:50:41 droopy configd[54]: posting notification com.apple.system.config.network_change
Feb 3 18:50:41 droopy lookupd[3216]: lookupd (version 369.5) starting - Sat Feb 3 18:50:41 2007
Feb 3 18:50:41 droopy configd[54]: setting hostname to "droopy"
Feb 3 18:50:43 droopy mDNSResponder: Repeated transitions for interface en1 (192.168.1.134); delaying packets by 5 seconds
Feb 3 18:50:44 droopy configd[54]: AppleTalk startup complete
Feb 3 18:53:28 droopy kernel[0]: AirPort: Link DOWN (AP deAuth 0)
Feb 3 18:53:28 droopy configd[54]: AppleTalk shutdown
Feb 3 18:53:28 droopy configd[54]: AppleTalk shutdown complete
Feb 3 18:53:32 droopy launchd: Server cbff in bootstrap 1103 uid 0: "/usr/sbin/lookupd"[3216]: exited abnormally: Hangup
Feb 3 18:53:32 droopy configd[54]: posting notification com.apple.system.config.network_change
Feb 3 18:53:32 droopy configd[54]: setting hostname to "droopy.local"
Feb 3 18:53:38 droopy kernel[0]: AirPort: Link DOWN (out-of-range 0)
Feb 3 18:53:38 droopy lookupd[3235]: lookupd (version 369.5) starting - Sat Feb 3 18:53:38 2007
Feb 3 18:53:38 droopy kernel[0]: AirPort: Link Active: "67ramona" - 001839cf9822 - chan 1
Feb 3 18:53:38 droopy configd[54]: AppleTalk startup
Feb 3 18:53:41 droopy launchd: Server cb0f in bootstrap 1103 uid 0: "/usr/sbin/lookupd"[3235]: exited abnormally: Hangup
12" PowerBook G5 Mac OS X (10.4.8)

John Galt wrote:
jr azzarelli wrote:
Drops wifi and ethernet equally.
I thought I understood your Airport network would disconnect, but I don't understand what you mean by "drops ethernet". Clearly, if your wired connection stops working, so will your Airport network. Explain?
What I am saying is that I have wireless connections to the Ae and I have wired connections to it as well. Both are getting dhcp from the Ae. Both are getting dropped. In the log I am getting these entries, about once per hour...
"Jan 06 10:26:00 Severity:5 Connection accepted from ::ffff:10.0.97.190/57902.
Jan 06 10:26:01 Severity:5 unloading current configuration.
Jan 06 10:26:20 Severity:5 (WAN) link state is Up.
Jan 06 10:26:20 Severity:5 Deauthenticating with station ff:ff:ff:ff:ff:ff (reserved 3).
Jan 06 10:26:20 Severity:5 Rotated TKIP group key."
The 10.0.97.190 is the recently-added OS X Server. Not sure what the port is. But it seems to be doing something untoward.
Anyone?
Anyone?
Bueller??

How do I unhide my network which I recently set up with new Airport Extreme?

I recently set up my new Airport Extreme. Then realised my Canon MX 410 was not seeing it on wifi network. I've been told I need to unhide the AE so the printer can see it. However, when I go into Airport Utility it is not giving me the option to unhide. I have tried connecting ethernet cable to it & turning off wifi, but this does not help.. Any ideas people?
Thanks....

I've been told I need to unhide the AE so the printer can see it.
Advice likes this sounds good.....IF.....you previously enabled the option to "hide" your network. Chances are, you would know if you did do this, but if you are not sure, you can check to see if the network really is "hidden".
Open Macintosh HD > Applications > Utilities > AirPort Utility
Click on the AirPort Extreme icon, then click Edit in the smaller window that appears
Click the Wireless tab at the top of the next window
Click Wireless Options at the bottom of the window
If the network is hidden, you will see a check mark in the box next to Create Hidden Network. If the box is not checked, then your network is not hidden...so there is no way to "unhide" a network that is not hidden in the first place.....and you might want to contact Canon support for help on how to set up your printer.
If you do see that the box is checked, then remove the check mark to "unhide" your network, click Save, then click Update and allow a full minutre for the AirPort Extreme to restart.

Which to buy? Time capsule or Airport Extreme with USB drive(s)?

I'm getting either a TC or an Airport Extreme with an external drive.
Archive:
I noticed that TC can archive to an external drive. It seems this can be handy for creating off-site backups. Can I do this with a drive on Airport Extreme (with a powered hub and another drive)? Or do I need to move the drive to a Mac and copy there? Or should I use a network backup instead in either case? I guess this is my main question: Can archive work with Airport Extreme?
Mounting:
Is mounting the Airport Extreme for WiFi range any easier than the TC?
Drive failure:
Is the TC drive likely to fail over the next couple years? And the other way, if the TC breaks, is the drive something I can use elsewhere? I'm a little concerned about having all my eggs in one basket.
Other:
Anything I should be aware of in making this decision?

+Are there any constraints in the orientation of TC that the AirPort Extreme does not have?+
No, not really as long as you give either device plenty of airspace as they both tend to run warm to very warm. I thought mounting the AirPort Extreme might improve the signal strength a bit, but it made no measurable difference for me.
+Is the TC significantly heavier?+
The Extreme is under 2 pounds, the TC comes in a bit over 3 pounds.
+Is mounting on a pegboard bad for the HD?+
I think you may be asking if you can mount it vertically. That's not a problem and the Apple store even sells wall mounts for either device.
+Yikes. I got bad info. I read the "unsupported" constraint was dropped a couple versions ago. I thought all the comments on this were referring to the older versions of AirPort Extreme.+
Here's the Apple document. Nothing changed with Snow Leopard and I saw a specific Snow Leopard document about this...just can't find it at the moment. I'm sure other forum regulars will confirm as well if they see this post.
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT2038
+Is there a list of file servers that Time Machine is compatible with?+
Sorry, I don't have first hand knowledge on that and my policy is to only offer advice on things that I've done myself. That question might be worth a separate post since few people will see this question buried where it is.
Message was edited by: Bob Timmons

I have a router/firewall - do I need an AirPort Extreme Base Station?

My current home network consists of my iMac, a Linux box that I use as a server, and my work Windows laptop that I connect to my home network via an Ethernet cable. I have a Netgear router/firewall. I don't have wireless access to my home network yet.
I'll be getting a new Apple laptop of some sort in the near future, so I am interested in adding in wireless. I'm used to the firewall capabilities of my Netgear router/firewall, and am confortable mucking around with netwrok configurations.
I would imagine that if I get an AEBS, it will take the place of the Netgear router/firewall. I also figure that I can just get a wireless access point to add wireless capability to my network, but that would mean a second box.
What I would like to know is how configurable are the firewall functions of the AEBS. With my current router/firewall, I can do the following:
1. Define what ports/services I would like to allow (FTP, ssh, etc.)
2. Set times as to when those services are open
3. Direct incoming and outgoing services to specific IP addresses on my local network (if an FTP request comes in, it automatically goes to my iMac, wheras ssh goes to my Linux box).
Can any/all of these be done with an AEBS?
I did try to ask the people at the local Apple store, where I was informed that the AEBS actually did not have any firewall capabilities, despite what the box says, and that I should rely on the Sharing part of System Preferences.
iMac G4 1 GHz Mac OS X (10.4.4)

The AEBS does not have built in firewall software as the retaili folks said.
You will be able to set up port forwarding those so specific ports coming to your public IP address getting routed to a specific private IP address (your iMac vs. Linux box example). However, you can not associate certain times for these functions to occur....
...unless, maybe, an Apple Script was created to upload an alternative configuration to the AEBS. I'm not sure though; just thinking outloud. Maybe one of the Apple Scripting guru's on this forum could take the lead on that idea.

I have FIOS. I linked my FIOS router via ethernet cable to an Airport Extreme. I want to extend the range using an Airport Express wirelessly; however when I plug in the Express, the network does not find it.

Any help is appreciated.

Make sure the ethernet cord is plugged into the WAN port on the Aiport (the port with a circle of dots above it) and do a hard reset (hold the reset button until the light blinks rapidly.) It will not automatically appear in the Airport Utiltiy. You are looking for the airport under the wifi menu after a few minutes or in Settings>Wifi on an iOS device that you can click to join and continue to setup.

Which is Best... Connect Devices to Airport Extreme OR Modem/Router? And Which is Best for DHCP/NAT?

I have a modem/router from the ISP and have just purchased an Airport Extreme to use for the WIFI instead of the modem/router.
I have 3 other devices on the network connected to the modem/router via ethernet: AppleTV, Smart Blueray Player and a NAS drive.
So I have the modem/router in DHCP/NAT mode, and Airport Extreme in Bridged mode.
But I wondered if the Airport Extreme should be in DHCP/NAT, the other 3 devices connected to that via Ethernet, and the modem/router in bridged mode.
Which is better, or are they the same?
Thanks

So I have the modem/router in DHCP/NAT mode, and Airport Extreme in Bridged mode.
This would be the simplest, correct way to configure your network.
Unless you need some special feature from the AirPort Extreme....that would require that the AirPort Extreme handle DHCP and NAT service.....like the Guest Network feature......then it would probably be best to keep things simple and leave them "as is" on your network.
Either the modem needs to be in Bridge Mode and the AirPort Extreme handles DHCP and NAT.....or.....the modem/router handles DHCP and NAT and the AirPort Extreme is setup in Bridge Mode.
it does not really matter which device handles DHCP and NAT as long as your feature requirements are being met on the network.
Personally, I strongly prefer to use a simple modem....not a modem/router....and another separate router to control the network. But, your ISP may not offer that option.

Setting up airport extreme to replace netgear router

Hi,
Thanks in advance for help and advice with this one. Im desperate to replace my unreliable netgear router so i bought a Apple Airport Extreme base station (Generation 6).
At the moment I have my satellite box (tooway satellite provided by europasat) plugged into my netgear router and can access the internet via the wifi. I also have my airport extreme WAN port plugged into one of the netgear router ethernet bays. So effectively I have 2 wireless networks and can connect to the internet with both.
I tried removing my netgear router from the system and plugging my satellite box directly into the airport extreme and started set up. The airport extreme sets up ok but i just get an orange light for the internet.. I have tried using static IP, DCHP etc and also changing it from off bridge mode to DCHP and DCHP and NAT but i get various errors. Its keeps asking for a DNS address but i don't know what to enter..
If i look on my router setup its currently set to get IP addresses dynamically from the ISP.
Can anyone help me set this up properly without the netgear router (which constantly resets and drops the internet connection!!)
I just need a reliable home network that can connect several macs, iPads and iPhones, PS4 etc
Happy to paypal a small contribution for anyone who can help.
Thanks,
Adam

my details were IP address 10.100.38.234
As we suspected, your satellite provider is giving you a "private" IP address, and not the "public" IP address that you should be receiving. There is nothing wrong with the Netgear router, but it sounds like you have the AirPort Extreme connected at this time.
"Off" Bridge Off would normally be the correct setting to use with your satellite "modem" since it is behaving as if it were another router.
Unfortunately, you will have to use the DHCP and NAT setting on your AirPort Extreme to compensate for the incorrect IP address assignments that your satellite service is providing to you. Since your satellite "modem" is already providing NAT service, and the AirPort Extreme is as well, you have two devices both trying to do NAT.......that is why you see the Double NAT error.
Unless you can get your satellite provider to provide you with a "public" IP address, you will have to continue to run the AirPort Extreme in the Double NAT setup and hope for the best. You might be able to get away with this error on a simple home network.
If you do not want to see the blinking amber light, open AirPort Utility and click on the AirPort Extreme. A smaller window will appear. Look for a Status setting and click on the small amber dot next to Status. Another window will appear with an option to "Ignore" the Double NAT error. That will give you a green light on the AirPort Extreme, and hopefully things will work.
Double NAT can cause a number of unpredictable things to occur on a network, but the most common is slow browsing on the Internet, and/or you may be able to get to some web pages, but not others.
Hopefully, things will work OK for you since you really will no other options to set up the AirPort Extreme correctly until you receive the correct public IP address that you deserve from your satellite provider. You might want to speak to them about this and let them know that you are on to their tricks, though.

How do I set up an Airport Extreme as a router?

I need to make sure my Airport Extreme is set up as a router and NOT a bridge. I cannot find anything about this on Apple's manuals, the forums nor the interwebs in general. Has someone done this before?
Currently I have the Airport Extreme working as a WiFi seemelessly. I have two devices connected to the Airport Extreme via ethernet ports but only one is communicating. The other (a solar microconverter) is not communicating with the router. Cables work, I have unplugged and replugged everything, YES, everthing! Both devices have little green lights lit up next to the port they are plugged into.
Can anyone out there just tell me how I can either make sure it is set up as a router or how to change the Airport Extreme to work as a router.
I'm pretty desperate at this point.
TIA

In AirPort Utility 5.6:
In AirPort Utility 6 click on your device.
The device shouldn't be in bridge mode if you want it to act as a router.

Is it possible to use NAS storage (which is wired via LAN to AirPort Extreme) as a Time Machine destination?

Is it possible to use NAS storage (WD My Cloud EX2 or WD My Cloud EX4) which is wired via LAN to current AirPort Extreme, as a Time Machine backup destination?
There are two reasons I came up with this question.
- Connecting via Ethernet should be faster than USB 2.0 connection
- 8TB NAS storages are slightly cheaper than 8TB USB HDD
If it is impossible, I am planning to buy My Book Thunderbolt Duo 8TB and wire it for MacBook Pro directly for the purpose of Time Machine backup.
I have a concern with my primal idea of backing up via WiFi, as I tend to handle big files when doing music production or movie editing. I wonder if this affect the performance of MacBook Pro, as it might take more time to complete each backup via WiFi.
Many thanks for your advice in advance,
Masa
MacBook Pro Retina 15 inch (Mid 2012)
Processor 2.6 GHz Intel Core i7
Memory 16GB 1600 MHz DDR3

I would appreciate any advice which could include aother sollition of secure and practical backup.

Which Router to choose--Linksys ea4500 or Airport Extreme

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