Lois Larson
Apple's AirPort Extreme is a wireless internet router that was first introduced in 2003. It has gone through several iterations, with the last being the sixth generation, which was released in 2013. The AirPort Extreme allows users to create a local wireless network, which can be connected to the internet via cable, ADSL, or fiber. It is interoperable with various devices, including Macs, PCs, and Apple TVs. The router has gone through three distinct physical forms, with the earliest models featuring a round flying saucer shape and later versions adopting a flat, rounded rectangle design. Apple discontinued its lineup of wireless routers in 2016 but continues to provide limited hardware and software support.
Explore related products
$4.99
![[UL Listed] OMNIHIL White 10 Feet Long AC Power Cord Compatible with Apple Airport Extreme A1521](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/719LdbuIUkL._AC_UY218_.jpg)
What You'll Learn
Airport Extreme is Apple's wireless router
Airport Extreme is Apple's version of a wireless router. It was first announced at the MacWorld Expo in San Francisco on January 7, 2003, and was named so because of its support for the 802.11g standard and its ability to serve up to 50 Macs or PCs simultaneously. The latest model, the 6th generation, supports 802.11ac networking in addition to older standards.
The Airport Extreme has gone through three distinct physical forms. The earliest models had a plastic housing in a round "flying saucer" shape. From 2007 to 2013, the devices took on a flat rounded rectangle shape, similar to the Mac mini or early models of the Apple TV. The 6th generation Airport Extreme, unveiled in 2013, 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.
The Airport Disk feature allows users to plug a USB hard drive into the Airport Extreme for use as a network-attached storage (NAS) device for Mac OS X and Microsoft Windows clients. Users can also connect a USB hub and printer. Some USB storage devices can draw power directly from the Airport Extreme, while others require separate power supplies.
Apple discontinued developing its lineup of wireless routers in 2016 but continues to provide limited hardware and software support as of 2023.
Tasty Treats to Try at Perth Airport
You may want to see also
Explore related products
![OMNIHIL [UL Listed] White 8 Foot Long AC Power Cord Compatible with Apple Airport Extreme 6th Generation](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/81rteevX69L._AC_UY218_.jpg)
![[UL Listed] OMNIHIL 30 Feet Long AC Power Cord Compatible with Apple Airport Extreme 6th Generation](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41hPCM8x88L._AC_UY218_.jpg)
$21.96
![[UL Listed] OMNIHIL White 5 Feet Long AC Power Cord Compatible with Apple Airport Extreme A1521](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/31HJpx4oaWL._AC_UY218_.jpg)
$10.96
It has gone through three physical forms
The AirPort Extreme is a wireless router by Apple Inc. that combines the functions of a router, network switch, wireless access point, and NAS. It was first introduced in 2003 and has since gone through three physical forms and six generations of models.
The first physical form of the AirPort Extreme was released in 2003 and featured a round "flying saucer" shape, similar to the original AirPort Base Station. This model featured 802.11g wireless technology, allowing it to serve up to 50 Macs or PCs simultaneously.
The second physical form was introduced in 2007 and lasted until 2013. This version adopted a flat, rounded rectangle shape, similar to the Mac mini or early models of the Apple TV. During this period, Apple released several updated models, including support for 802.11n draft specification and dual-band 802.11 Draft-N radios.
The third and final physical form of the AirPort Extreme was unveiled in 2013, known as the 6th Generation model. This version featured a significant design change, adopting a short, rounded-square form factor. It introduced three-stream 802.11ac Wi-Fi technology, offering a maximum data rate of 1.3 Gbit/s, nearly three times faster than its predecessor.
Despite discontinuing the development of its wireless routers in 2016, Apple continues to provide limited hardware and software support for the AirPort Extreme as of 2023.
Airport Check-In Fees: What's the Cost?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
![[UL Listed] OMNIHIL 5 Feet Long AC Power Cord Compatible with Apple Airport Extreme A1521](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41ZDiuRlGeL._AC_UY218_.jpg)
It supports 802.11ac networking
The AirPort Extreme is the Apple version of a wireless internet router. The latest model, the 6th generation, supports 802.11ac networking in addition to older standards.
IEEE 802.11ac-2013, or 802.11ac, is a wireless networking standard in the IEEE 802.11 set of protocols, which is part of the Wi-Fi networking family. It provides high-throughput wireless local area networks (WLANs) on the 5 GHz band.
The 802.11ac standard has several new technologies that improve performance over 802.11n. It uses eight spatial streams and channels up to 80 MHz wide, compared to the four spatial streams and 40-MHz channel widths of its predecessor. This allows 802.11ac to achieve faster speeds for data throughput and provide more bandwidth for additional computers, wireless devices, and Internet of Things (IoT) devices to come online.
The 802.11ac standard also introduces beamforming technology, which sends transmissions directionally rather than transmitting 360 degrees, as most wireless technology did before its arrival. Beamforming results in less interference for transmissions and lower power demands from routers.
The maximum physical layer theoretical rate for 802.11ac Wave 1 products is 1.3 Gbit/s, while Wave 2 products can reach 2.34 Gbit/s.
Eisenhower's Legacy: An Airport Named After a President
You may want to see also
Explore related products
It can be used as network-attached storage
The AirPort Extreme is a wireless router by Apple. It was first introduced in 2003 and has since gone through three distinct physical forms. The latest model, the 6th generation, supports 802.11ac networking in addition to older standards.
The AirPort Extreme can be used as network-attached storage (NAS). The AirPort Disk feature allows users to plug a USB hard drive into the AirPort Extreme for use as a NAS device for Mac OS X and Microsoft Windows clients. Users can also connect a USB hub and printer.
To use the AirPort Extreme as network-attached storage, you need to connect an external drive to your Apple AirPort Extreme WiFi base station. This can be done by connecting a USB hard drive to the AirPort router's USB port. Once the drive is connected, you can use it as a network-attached storage medium for accessing and copying files.
It is important to note that the performance of USB hard drives attached to an AirPort Extreme is slower than if the drive were connected directly to a computer. Additionally, when accessing files over WiFi, it is recommended to use the 5GHz band for faster transfer speeds, especially for large files.
With an AirPort Extreme and an Apple TV, you can access a networked file system directly from your iOS devices without the need for a computer. This setup provides all the functionality of a home theater PC without the actual PC.
Honolulu Airport's Best Restaurants: A Quick Guide
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Apple discontinued developing Airport Extreme in 2016
The 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
In 2016, Apple disbanded the wireless router team that developed the AirPort Time Capsule and AirPort Extreme router. This led to speculation about the future of the product line, and in 2018, Apple formally discontinued the AirPort Extreme, exiting the router market. Despite this, Apple continued to provide limited hardware and software support for the product.
The decision to discontinue the AirPort Extreme was met with some disappointment from customers and Apple enthusiasts. The product was known for its ease of use and configuration, with some expressing concern about having to transition to third-party solutions for their local networks.
The last hardware update for the AirPort Extreme came in June 2013 with the release of the sixth-generation model, which supported 802.11ac networking and offered faster data rates and improved channel bandwidth. This update also brought a redesign, with the device taking on a tall, cubic shape to optimize range and signal strength by elevating the antennas.
While Apple no longer develops or manufactures the AirPort Extreme, the product remained available for purchase until supplies ran out, and the company committed to providing service and parts for current-generation devices for a period following the discontinuation.
Leeds Bradford Airport: Managing High Passenger Traffic
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Airport Extreme is Apple's version of a wireless internet router.
Airport Extreme can create a local wireless network, which can be connected to the internet by cable, ADSL, or fibre.
The original Airport Extreme Base Station was released in 2003. The latest model, the 6th generation, was released in 2013 and supports 802.11ac networking. Apple discontinued developing its lineup of wireless routers in 2016.
The earliest models had a plastic housing in a round "flying saucer" shape. From 2007 to 2013, the devices took on a flat rounded rectangle shape, similar to the Mac mini.
If your SSID for your new access point is different from Airport Extreme, you can plug the Airport Extreme into your broadband router and then use Airport Utility to confirm that you can see it.
