Lois Larson
Apple's AirPort Extreme is a wireless internet router that can be used to extend a network within a home. Users have reported issues with Apple products working over WiFi with MikroTik routers, including devices connecting but not loading any pages, and devices not receiving IP addresses. However, other users have reported that their Apple devices work well with MikroTik routers, leading to suspicions that the issues could be related to region or country-specific bugs.
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What You'll Learn
- Apple exited the networking hardware business in 2018, limiting updates and support for devices like the Airport Extreme
- The Airport Extreme can be used as a wireless access point, extending the network in your home
- Apple devices have had issues with Mikrotik routers, including invalid country codes and IP address issues
- Using a 5GHz network in Airport Utility Wireless Option may increase WiFi speed
- The Airport Extreme can be set up as a wireless network router, connected to the internet by cable, adsl or fibre
Apple exited the networking hardware business in 2018, limiting updates and support for devices like the Airport Extreme
Apple exited the networking hardware business in 2018, disbanding its router hardware team two years prior. This move has limited updates and support for devices like the Airport Extreme, a robust router that was one of Apple's three networking hardware offerings at the time.
The Airport Extreme was a popular choice for Apple users, serving as a wireless access point and providing seamless connectivity for various Apple devices, including MacBooks, iPhones, and iPads. With its departure from the networking hardware space, Apple has shifted its focus away from developing and supporting such products.
As a result, users seeking to extend their network or replace their Airport Extreme router have had to explore alternative options. Some have considered non-Apple routers that can "co-operate" with the Airport Extreme to ensure a smooth transition and maintain compatibility with their Apple devices. This compatibility is essential for a seamless experience, especially when using features like beamforming, which enables a smooth handoff between devices.
The limited updates and support for the Airport Extreme have also impacted its functionality over time. While it once provided impressive WiFi speeds of around 300 Mbps download speed with the default setup, the lack of updates may hinder its performance compared to newer routers on the market. Additionally, Apple's decision to exit the networking hardware business has likely led to a decrease in the production of Airport Extremes, making it more challenging for users to acquire the same model for network extensions or replacements.
Despite these limitations, the Airport Extreme remains a viable option for some users, especially those with existing Apple devices. However, with the discontinuation of support for specific features, such as Time Machine backups, users are encouraged to explore alternative solutions, like network-attached storage (NAS) options, to ensure the continued functionality and compatibility of their devices.
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The Airport Extreme can be used as a wireless access point, extending the network in your home
The Apple AirPort Extreme can be used as a wireless access point to extend your home network. This can be achieved by connecting the AirPort Extreme to your main router, either wirelessly or through an Ethernet cable.
To set up the AirPort Extreme as a wireless access point, you can use the Airport Utility. First, connect your AirPort Extreme to your main router, either wirelessly or through an Ethernet cable. Then, open the Airport Utility and click on your AirPort Extreme. Go to the Wireless tab and choose Network Mode. Here, you can select the option to extend a wireless network.
Alternatively, you can set up the AirPort Extreme as a bridge. To do this, connect the AirPort Extreme to your main router using an Ethernet cable. Open the Airport Utility, click on your AirPort Extreme, and go to the Network tab. Turn off DHCP/NAT and select "Bridge Mode". This will allow the AirPort Extreme to function as a wireless access point, extending your home network.
It is important to note that some users have reported issues with using the AirPort Extreme as a Wi-Fi extender. In some cases, the setup may default to creating a new network instead of extending the existing one. However, with the correct configuration and within a good range of the existing Wi-Fi network, it should be possible to use the AirPort Extreme as a wireless access point to extend your home network.
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Apple devices have had issues with Mikrotik routers, including invalid country codes and IP address issues
Apple device users have reported issues with Mikrotik routers, including invalid country codes and IP address problems.
Some iPhone users have reported that their devices cannot connect to the Mikrotik router via Wi-Fi. One user reported that their iPhone 7 would not connect, even after disabling and re-enabling Wi-Fi and using the "Forget Network" function on their iPhone. Another user reported a similar issue with their iPhone 6 Plus and iPhone 7, where the devices were connected to the router but had no internet access. The issue was resolved by setting the IP address assigned to the iPhone 7 to Static DHCP on the router.
In some cases, the issue may be related to the country code settings on the router. One user reported that their iPhone 14 was connected to the router but was not receiving an IP address. The user suspected that the issue was related to the country code, as Apple devices had previously had a bug where they learned the 802.11d country code from a Chinese Wi-Fi router and then had problems with other brand devices if the 802.11d code was not present. Mikrotik routers do not broadcast the 802.11d country code, which may cause compatibility issues with Apple devices.
Another user reported that their iPhone 6 Plus and Samsung S7 connected to the Mikrotik router but had no internet access. The issue was resolved by disabling proxy-ARP on the ether port of the router.
Some users have suggested that the issue may be related to the security settings on the router. One user reported that they resolved the issue by disabling WPA2 EAP on the security profile. Another user suggested changing the wireless config and password.
It is important to note that not all Apple device users have experienced issues with Mikrotik routers. Some users have reported that their Apple devices work fine with the routers, suggesting that the issues may be specific to certain devices, settings, or other factors.
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Using a 5GHz network in Airport Utility Wireless Option may increase WiFi speed
Apple's Airport Extreme is a premium product that is easy to set up and one of the fastest routers on the market. Its accompanying Airport Utility app is a useful tool for determining the kind of speeds your connected devices are getting.
The 5GHz network option in Airport Utility may increase WiFi speed, but this is not guaranteed. In theory, a 5GHz network will provide network clients with the best potential bandwidth on a local network. This is because 5GHz has more non-overlapping channels than 2.4GHz, resulting in less interference. However, a 5GHz network signal has a harder time penetrating solid objects like walls, so the best bandwidth will be achieved between the base station and clients in the same room.
One user reported no apparent speed change after setting up a 5GHz network on their three AirPort Extremes. Another user advised that the fastest speed capability possible can be achieved by turning off the 2.4GHz network, resulting in a large 5GHz network. However, this means that devices that do not support 5GHz will not be able to connect.
To improve WiFi speed, it is also recommended to connect your router and any additional routers via ethernet, as this will increase your range.
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The Airport Extreme can be set up as a wireless network router, connected to the internet by cable, adsl or fibre
The Apple AirPort Extreme is a wireless network router that can be connected to the internet by cable, ADSL, or fibre. It is designed to create a local wireless network that can be accessed by any wireless-enabled computer or device.
To set up the AirPort Extreme as a wireless router, you must first unbox the device and plug it in—there is no on/off switch, so it will turn on automatically. If you want to connect the AirPort Extreme to the internet, you will need to purchase a Cat5 ethernet cable. Use this cable to connect the AirPort Extreme to your DSL or cable modem by plugging it into the AirPort Extreme's Internet WAN port, which has a small 'O' symbol above it.
Once the AirPort Extreme is connected to your modem, you can use the AirPort Utility to configure the device. The AirPort Utility will automatically detect whether the AirPort Extreme should be connected in bridge mode or if it should share an IP address using DHCP and NAT. It is generally recommended to leave the default setting selected. However, if the AirPort Extreme is connected to a router or another network device, select Bridge Mode. Otherwise, select 'Share a single IP address using DHCP and NAT'.
Additionally, you can customise settings such as the name of your wireless network and the password for the AirPort Extreme. You can also choose whether or not to require a password for users to connect to your network. While leaving the network open is an option, it is not recommended for home networks.
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Frequently asked questions
Apple Airport Extreme is Apple's version of a wireless internet router. While it is possible to use Apple products with Mikrotik Wi-Fi, there have been issues reported by some users.
Some users have reported issues ranging from "Invalid County Code (802.11d)" to devices connecting but not loading any pages.
One user suggested that the issues could be related to the country/region of the user. They also suggested that there was a bug with Apple devices where, if the device learned the 802.11d country code from a Chinese Wi-Fi router, problems would start with other brand devices if the 802.11d code is not present (which is the case with Mikrotik).
One user suggested setting the lease time value to 1 day in the DHCP server settings, which they found helpful in resolving similar issues.
Yes, it is possible to use Apple Airport Extreme with other routers. Some users have reported success in using it with Netgear and Motorola MB7621 routers.
