Jazmin Li
The AirPort Extreme is a residential gateway made by Apple Inc. that combines the functions of a router, network switch, wireless access point, and NAS, as well as other functions. It was first announced at the MacWorld expo in San Francisco on January 7, 2003, and featured 802.11g wireless technology. The latest model, the 6th generation, supports 802.11ac networking and has a maximum data rate of 1.3 Gbit/s. Apple discontinued developing its lineup of wireless routers in 2016 and formally discontinued the product in 2018, exiting the router market. However, as of 2023, it continues to provide limited hardware and software support.
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What You'll Learn
Apple discontinued the Airport Extreme in 2018
The AirPort Extreme is a line of residential gateways made by Apple Inc. that combines the functions of a router, network switch, wireless access point, and NAS, as well as other functions. The original AirPort Extreme Base Station was released in 2003 and was so named because of its support for the 802.11g standard, as well as its ability to serve up to 50 Macs or PCs simultaneously.
In 2016, Apple disbanded the wireless router team that developed the AirPort Extreme and Time Capsule routers. In April 2018, Apple formally discontinued both products, exiting the router market. This decision to leave the business was considered surprising, as "Apple rarely discontinues product categories".
The AirPort Extreme was never a bad router—it had sufficient speed and connectivity and worked well in most households. However, it never stood out among the competition. The death of Apple's router business had been a long time coming, with the company disbanding its wireless router team in 2016, two years before the product was discontinued.
Despite Apple's exit from the router market, the technology developed for the AirPort Extreme has been used in many other Apple devices. For example, AirPlay and other wireless technologies with the Apple TV came about thanks to work completed with the AirPort Express router. Similarly, AirDrop and the sharing of files and data between Apple devices have their origins in the AirPort Time Capsule.
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It is a wireless internet router
The AirPort Extreme is a wireless internet router developed by Apple Inc. It is a residential gateway that combines the functions of a router, network switch, wireless access point, and NAS, as well as other functions. The latest model, the 6th generation, supports 802.11ac networking, which is nearly three times faster than 802.11n.
The AirPort Extreme is designed to be secure and is capable of handling up to 50 simultaneous connections. It supports simultaneous dual-band broadcasting, with a theoretical throughput of 450 Mbps on the 2.4GHz band and 1300 Mbps on the 5GHz band. The router has three Gigabit Ethernet LAN ports, and additional ports can be accessed by connecting a hub.
The AirPort Extreme features a unique design, described by some as the "flying saucer" form factor. It can be used with a USB hard drive, allowing it to function as a network-attached storage (NAS) device for Mac OS X and Microsoft Windows clients. Users can also connect a USB hub and printer to the router.
Apple discontinued the development of its AirPort line in 2016 and formally discontinued the product in 2018, exiting the router market. Despite this, the AirPort Extreme remains a popular choice for many users, with some praising its simplicity, aesthetics, and performance.
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It has enhanced security features
The AirPort Extreme is a wireless router produced by Apple Inc. that combines the functions of a router, network switch, wireless access point, and NAS. The latest model, the 6th generation, supports 802.11ac networking, which is nearly three times faster than 802.11n.
Apple discontinued its AirPort line in 2018, exiting the consumer router market. However, the AirPort Extreme remains a popular choice among users due to its simplicity, design, and enhanced security features.
One of the key security advantages of the AirPort Extreme is its inherent security due to its design. Unlike most routers, Apple routers have no default admin username and password, and they are not configured using a web browser. This makes them more secure than standard routers, as the methods used to attack typical routers are ineffective against the AirPort Extreme.
Additionally, the AirPort Extreme supports simultaneous dual-band broadcasting, providing a theoretical throughput of 450 Mbps on the 2.4GHz band and 1300 Mbps on the 5GHz band. This allows for a secure and reliable connection, ensuring that multiple devices can connect simultaneously without compromising performance.
The AirPort Extreme also offers the ability to connect a USB hard drive, transforming it into a network-attached storage (NAS) device. This provides users with a secure way to store and access files on their network, enhancing the overall functionality and security of their system.
While Apple no longer develops new AirPort Extreme routers, the product remains a testament to the company's focus on security and design. Its unique features and inherent security make it a popular choice for those seeking a simple yet secure wireless routing solution.
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It supports simultaneous dual-band broadcasting
Apple's AirPort Extreme is a residential gateway that combines the functions of a router, network switch, wireless access point, and NAS, as well as other functions. It is one of Apple's former AirPort products, with the latest model being the 6th generation, which supports 802.11ac networking.
Now, when it comes to the AirPort Extreme's support for simultaneous dual-band broadcasting, this is one of its standout features. Here's what it means and why it matters:
The AirPort Extreme router is capable of broadcasting on two different wireless bands at the same time, which are the 2.4GHz band and the 5GHz band. This dual-band capability offers significant advantages in terms of performance and flexibility.
Firstly, by supporting two bands, the router provides more options for devices to connect. The 2.4GHz band has a longer range and better wall penetration, making it ideal for older devices and for covering larger areas. On the other hand, the 5GHz band offers faster speeds and lower interference, which is perfect for streaming high-definition media or transferring large files.
Secondly, the simultaneous dual-band broadcasting helps to reduce network congestion. With the ability to spread devices across two bands, there is less competition for bandwidth, resulting in smoother and faster connections for all devices. This is especially beneficial in busy households or offices with numerous connected devices.
The theoretical throughput of the AirPort Extreme is 450 Mbps on the 2.4GHz band and 1300 Mbps on the 5GHz band. These speeds ensure that users can enjoy seamless streaming, fast downloads, and responsive online gaming experiences.
In conclusion, the AirPort Extreme's support for simultaneous dual-band broadcasting enhances its performance and versatility. While Apple has discontinued this router, it still remains a capable and attractive option for many users, especially those seeking robust wireless connectivity on multiple devices.
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It has three Gigabit Ethernet LAN ports
The AirPort Extreme is a residential gateway device produced by Apple Inc. that combines the functions of a router, network switch, wireless access point, and NAS, along with other features. Apple discontinued the development of its AirPort lineup in 2016, including the AirPort Extreme router, and formally discontinued the product in 2018.
One of the key features of the AirPort Extreme is its three Gigabit Ethernet LAN ports. In a market where four ports are standard, the AirPort Extreme offers three ports for connecting devices via Ethernet cables. While it falls short of the standard count, it still provides a reasonable number of Ethernet connections for devices that require a wired connection.
The three Gigabit Ethernet LAN ports on the AirPort Extreme support high-speed data transfer, ensuring that connected devices can transmit and receive data at Gigabit speeds. This is particularly beneficial for devices that require high-bandwidth connections, such as gaming consoles, high-performance computers, or devices transferring large files.
The availability of these Ethernet ports is especially useful for devices that may not have reliable wireless connectivity or for users who prefer the stability and speed of a wired connection. By utilising these Ethernet ports, users can take advantage of the AirPort Extreme's robust networking capabilities and enjoy consistent and fast data transfer rates.
While the AirPort Extreme's three Gigabit Ethernet LAN ports provide ample connectivity options, it's important to note that Apple has discontinued support for this device. As such, users may encounter limitations in terms of software updates, technical support, and future compatibility. However, the AirPort Extreme remains a functional and capable router, and its Ethernet ports continue to serve as a reliable means of connecting devices to a network.
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Frequently asked questions
Airport Extreme is a line of residential gateways made by Apple Inc. that combines the functions of a router, network switch, wireless access point and NAS, as well as other functions.
The Airport Extreme Router has a theoretical throughput of 450 Mbps on the 2.4GHz band and 1300 Mbps on the 5GHz band. It supports simultaneous dual-band broadcasting and can handle up to 50 simultaneous connections.
The Airport Extreme Router is inherently more secure than other routers due to its design. Apple routers have no default admin username and password, and you don't use a web browser to configure them, which means standard methods of attacking most routers don't work on them.
No, Apple disbanded the wireless router team that developed the AirPort Time Capsule and AirPort Extreme Router in 2016 and formally discontinued both products in 2018, exiting the router market.
