For example, in 2.4GHz at 10 feet, testing in channel 6 gave us a throughput of 71.01Mbps and at 200 feet, channel 6 scored 45.50Mbps.These days most travelers want to be able to get online regularly while traveling to check email, get directions, check hotel and restaurant reviews, upload photos, update social media, and stay in touch with those back home. Curious, we did try switching channels and found that in our case, using channel 6 showed improved throughput-between 10Mbps to 15Mpbs faster than in default mode. However, we noticed that the scores we obtained using IxChariot were still lower than the scores other publications got for the AirPort Extreme Base Station. In the course of our normal testing, we test routers in their default mode, that is, we don't switch channels. In the 5GHz band in N-only mode, the Extreme Base Station scored 77.17Mbps at 10 feet and 58.47Mbps at 200 feet. In mixed mode at 10 feet (with 11g and 11b clients on the network), it scored 13.72Mbps. In the 2.4GHz band and in N-only mode, the Extreme Base Station scored 58.84Mbps at 10 feet (maximum throughput) and 37.48Mbps at 200 feet (long-range throughput). Because the Extreme Base Station offers both 2.4GHz and 5GHz operation, we tested both bands. Using IXIA's IxChariot console and Performance Endpoints for Macs, we recently retested the AirPort Extreme Base Station. Keep in mind, though, that Mac PCs using older PowerPC processors operate only in the 2.4GHz band Intel-based Macs can operate in either band. Also, the 5GHz band makes the Base Station 802.11a-compatible, though it's not compatible with 802.11b/g products. The benefit of that option is that many common household devices-including cordless phones, microwave ovens, and baby monitors-operate in the 2.4GHz band, which can cause interference on your network. The AirPort Extreme also offers dual-band capability that is, it can operate in the 2.4GHz band or the 5GHz band. Apple also has future-proofed the AirPort Extreme by offering support for IPv6 addressing. That way, if your router resets, you can still easily locate your devices. WDS requires using products from the same vendor (though not all products from a single vendor will necessarily interoperate), as there is no universal standard for implementing WDS.Īnother feature is the ability to assign specific IP addresses to specific devices on your network. For example, you can use the AirPort Extreme Base Station as a point in a wireless distribution system (WDS), where each point increases the spread of the wireless network. If you dig around in the utility, though, you can find some useful features (unfortunately, the included setup guide is of little help). This is likely due to Apple's emphasis on ease of use. The AirPort Extreme BaseStation includes some advanced functions but they're harder to find than on most routers. Then navigate to the utility (Start > All Programs > AirPort) to enter the necessary information. If you're using a PC to create a network or to join the newly created network, you'll first need to install the AirPort Utility from the included CD. In the Utilities folder, click on the AirPort setup utility to create a new wireless network and establish security settings. If you're using a compatible Mac system, simply connect the Base Station to your router via the WAN port using an Ethernet cable and power it up. Setting up the AirPort Extreme Base Station is a simple task. Windows users can use the installer CD that ships with the Base Station, though the minimum requirements include a 300MHz processor and Windows XP Home or Pro with Service Pack 2 installed. Users of older systems that do not have 802.11n built in can connect to the AirPort Extreme, though at slower speeds. (If you're not using Mac OS X 10.4.x or later, you're out of luck with the AirPort Extreme.) In the newer systems that have 11n built in, the 11n connectivity is enabled during setup with the AirPort Extreme or by purchasing the enabler software from Apple's site for $1.99. The router is compatible with all Mac systems that have built-in 802.11n technology and those that are 802.11b/g/a-enabled. An omission we noticed is that Apple doesn't support Gigabit Ethernet on the AirPort Extreme, a puzzling oversight, as new Mac PCs ship with Gigabit Ethernet these days. It's also one of the few routers to have no external antennas. Most routers offer four LAN ports, but no USB port. A single LED indicator light sits on the front edge, while the back edge houses a WAN port, three 10/100 LAN ports, and a USB port. It's a 6.5-inch square that stands 1.3 inches tall. The AirPort Extreme Base Station is a compact little router that looks just like the Mac Mini and has almost the same dimensions.
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