Airport Extreme: Apple's Wireless Networking Solution Explained

Apple's AirPort Extreme is a line of residential gateways that combine the functions of a router, network switch, wireless access point and NAS. The latest model, the 6th generation, supports 802.11ac networking in addition to older standards. Versions of the same system with a built-in network-accessible hard drive are known as the AirPort Time Capsule. Apple discontinued developing its lineup of wireless routers in 2016, but as of 2023 continues limited hardware and software support.

AirPort Extreme's functions

AirPort Extreme is a line of residential gateways made by Apple Inc. that combine the functions of a router, network switch, wireless access point and NAS as well as varied other functions. The latest model, the 6th generation, supports 802.11ac networking in addition to older standards. Versions of the same system with a built-in network-accessible hard drive are known as the AirPort Time Capsule.

The AirPort Extreme enables you to hook all your items together, but you’ll still need a modem to connect to the internet. Apple’s AirPort Base Stations can augment (or replace) the router part of that device, but cannot replace the modem part. So you still need to keep your ISP hub.

The AirPort Extreme features dual internal antennas so they can produce both a 2.4GHz and 5GHz wireless network. You can attach a printer to the base station and print wirelessly from a Mac or iOS device. You can also attach an external hard drive and use it to share and access files wirelessly. The Time Capsule also has a drive built in so you can back up files directly.

The AirPort Extreme is designed with the following features to reduce its environmental impact: Support for Wi-Fi Protected Access (WPA/WPA2) requires OS X v10.3 or later or Windows XP with SP2 or later. Some USB storage devices are compliant with the USB 2.0 power specification and can draw power from AirPort Extreme.

AirPort Extreme's environmental impact

AirPort Extreme is a line of residential gateways made by Apple Inc. that combine the functions of a router, network switch, wireless access point and NAS as well as varied other functions. Apple has taken steps to reduce the environmental impact of the product. The AirPort Extreme is designed with features to reduce its environmental impact, including Apple's holistic view of materials management and waste minimization. The weight of the product varies by configuration and manufacturing process. Some USB storage devices are compliant with the USB 2.0 power specification and can draw power from AirPort Extreme. Apple discontinued developing its lineup of wireless routers in 2016, but as of 2023, it continues to provide limited hardware and software support.

The first AirPort Extreme was announced at the MacWorld expo in San Francisco on January 7, 2003. It featured 802.11g wireless technology for the first time in an AirPort base station. On June 10, 2013, Apple unveiled an updated AirPort Extreme, referred to as AirPort Extreme 802.11ac (6th Generation). The 6th generation AirPort Extreme featured three-stream 802.11ac Wi-Fi technology with a maximum data rate of 1.3 Gbit/s, which is nearly three times faster than 802.11n.

Apple's AirPort Base Stations can augment (or replace) the router part of a combination modem/router device, but cannot replace the modem part. So, while the AirPort Extreme enables you to hook all your items together, you’ll still need a modem to connect to the Internet.

AirPort Extreme's compatibility with other devices

AirPort Extreme is a line of residential gateways made by Apple that combine the functions of a router, network switch, wireless access point and NAS. It is one of Apple's former AirPort products, and Apple discontinued developing its lineup of wireless routers in 2016. However, as of 2023, it continues to provide limited hardware and software support.

The AirPort Extreme enables you to hook all your items together, but you'll still need a modem to connect to the internet. Most ISPs supply you with a combination modem/router when you sign up, which are often referred to as 'hubs'. Apple's AirPort Base Stations can augment (or replace) the router part of that device, but cannot replace the modem part.

The AirPort Extreme is compatible with USB 2.0 storage devices, which can draw power from it. It also supports Wi-Fi Protected Access (WPA/WPA2), which requires OS X v10.3 or later or Windows XP with SP2 or later.

The AirPort Extreme also features dual internal antennas, so it can produce both a 2.4GHz and 5GHz wireless network. You can attach a printer to the base station and print wirelessly from a Mac or iOS device. You can also attach an external hard drive and use it to share and access files wirelessly.

AirPort Extreme's wireless capabilities

AirPort Extreme is a line of residential gateways made by Apple Inc. that combine the functions of a router, network switch, wireless access point and NAS as well as varied other functions. The latest model, the 6th generation, supports 802.11ac networking in addition to older standards. Versions of the same system with a built-in network-accessible hard drive are known as the AirPort Time Capsule.

The AirPort Extreme enables you to hook all your items together, but you’ll still need a modem to connect to the internet. Apple’s AirPort Base Stations can augment (or replace) the router part of that device, but cannot replace the modem part. So you still need to keep your ISP hub.

The 6th generation AirPort Extreme (and 5th generation AirPort Time Capsule) featured three-stream 802.11ac Wi-Fi technology with a maximum data rate of 1.3 Gbit/s, which is nearly three times faster than 802.11n. Time Machine was now supported using an external USB hard drive connected to AirPort Extreme (802.11ac model only).

Both the AirPort Time Capsule and AirPort Extreme feature dual internal antennas so they can produce both a 2.4GHz and 5GHz wireless network. You can attach a printer to the base station and print wirelessly from a Mac or iOS device. You can also attach an external hard drive and use it to share and access files wirelessly.

AirPort Extreme's history

Apple's AirPort Extreme is a line of residential gateways that combine the functions of a router, network switch, wireless access point and NAS. Versions of the same system with a built-in network-accessible hard drive are known as the AirPort Time Capsule.

The first AirPort Extreme was announced at the MacWorld expo in San Francisco on 7 January 2003. It featured 802.11g wireless technology for the first time in an AirPort base station. On 10 June 2013, Apple unveiled an updated AirPort Extreme, referred to as AirPort Extreme 802.11ac (6th Generation). The 6th generation AirPort Extreme featured three-stream 802.11ac Wi-Fi technology with a maximum data rate of 1.3 Gbit/s, which is nearly three times faster than 802.11n. Time Machine was now supported using an external USB hard drive connected to AirPort Extreme (802.11ac model only).

Apple discontinued developing its lineup of wireless routers in 2016, but as of 2023 continues limited hardware and software support.

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