Review of Apple AirPort Extreme

Package Contents:

• Device
• Power unit
• Documentation
• CD with software

The final story about the "network" of Apple accessories to be very simple. In fact AirPort Extreme can not be called a thing of the category of "Run to buy". It is rather about the Express, after the article I started on a continuous basis to recommend it to many people, and so far seem to be offended is not found. Moreover, thanks to an interesting chip associated with the transfer of audio signals, it becomes even more attractive. Well, Extreme ... Well, that Extreme? Let's talk.

Yes, but first we must decide. But that said "Wikipedia" about evolution Extreme:

«On August 7, 2007, the AirPort Extreme began shipping with Gygabyt Ethernet, matching most other Apple products.

On March 19, 2008, Apple released a firmware update for both models of the AirPort Extreme to allow AirPort Disks to be used in conjunction with Time Machine, similar to the functionality provided by Time Capsule. However, on December 1, 2009 Apple Technical Support stated that using Time Machine with AirPort Extreme Air Disks is unsupported and not guaranteed to work. Confirmed by Apple documents.

On March 3, 2009, Apple unveiled a new AirPort Extreme with simultaneous dual-band 802.11 Draft-N radios. This allows full 802.11 Draft-N 2x2 communication in both 802.11 Draft-N bands at the same time.

On October 20, 2009, Apple unveiled the updated AirPort Extreme Base Station with antenna improvements resulting in wireless performance gains of both speed and range. Also stated is a resulting performance improvement / time reduction on Time Machine backups of up to 60%.

Accordingly, we will talk about the latest version of the router which was announced on October 20 this year.

Design, construction

By and large, it's Time Capsule in a nutshell, the same relaxed form, the same contours, the same milky-white plastic. Is that an apple is not singled out specifically. Indicator light in front still glows green when the Extreme is connected to the network and "giving away", or amber when there is a configuration or network that is wrong. In any case, the light is visible from every corner of the room. Dimensions are 165h165h34 mm, weight - 753 grams. Weighty thing. The bottom is decorated with rubber, it's great, AirPort Extreme pretty hard to budge, except to raise. Incidentally, a similar solution is used at the new MacBook - the rubber pants. " When you open the box, once said miniature size compared to the Time Capsule. But under a cardboard divider hiding power supply, the size is comparable to the notebook. Here it is, an explanation of sizes in the Time Capsule power supply built-in. It would be better with the AirPort Extreme was the same. I just do not know where you have installed an access point at home. I have it standing next to the TV. There are PS3, Wii, Apple TV. Wires - the sea. Of these, one can weave a cozy nest and stay there to live. That is why I like it better when the device is a simple cable without makeweights.And here is the appendage, and a considerable one. Given that the house still have a pet, whose favorite pastime is outdoor festival where you can not walk ... In general, put the AirPort Extreme had a different location. Do not think that I'm too picky. It's just different. Since this device is not available in Russia officially complete cable here with the American with a fork. To it needed an adapter. Connected to our network device can be without fear. So, we connect. Power supply is nearby. Is a cat. Clings to the cable. Power supply falls. The cable is pulled. Fork off from the adapter. The device is switched off. It was, and I have to reflect the whole experience lived. Say Time Capsule pull cable from my pet and did not work (but managed to displace the floor tee). In general, keep this point in mind.

I must say that as one more element of natural makovoda AirPort Extreme looks great, if you prefer, you can build a table of the pyramid: from the bottom, for example, Mac Mini, over it - Apple TV, completes a masterpiece Extreme. Connect the whole thing to the monitor of the company, to disassemble the table - come, godfather, to admire. But I continue to think differently: the access point is a point of access. Its main task - to be covered with dust somewhere in a dark corner, work quietly and not annoy the owner. To be seen and not heard.

Actually, this task AirPort Extreme handles more than good.

Let's see what we have here on the back side, which have connectors and features:

• One Gigabit Ethernet WAN port for connecting DSL-or cable modem
• Three Gigabit Ethernet LAN ports for connecting computers or network devices
• USB 2.0 port for connecting a USB printer or external USB hard drive

Port for additional antenna is missing, yet tested the device in the apartment, the place would not reach the signal was not found. Apartment, I note the usual "treshka.

Actually, to complain about the number of LAN ports, I personally will not, unless you plan to use the Extreme in the office with a dozen employees. Yes, and here the question: why would they all LAN, when in Wi-Fi can connect up to fifty users? As for the port USB - is a useful thing, lets turn to Extreme Time Capsule (for example).You can buy any external hard drive for 1-2 TB and get comparable features with the much more expensive device.

Connection

Connection process is more or less detail was described in the article about the Time Capsule. The most important thing that you need to know - is setting the provider. Everything else will happen quickly and painlessly.

Review of the Apple Time Capsule

With the work I have no problems, for the sample I attached to the Extreme External Hard Drive Verbatim 500 GB. In the Finder, the laptop he defined as a network drive - all can enjoy. True, you may need a little Mojo, if we talk about the Mac OS, it must be in one place to see established a tick on the item "Enable file sharing". I have all happened the first time and painlessly. In fact, after using the Extreme, I was not disappointed in the Time Capsule one iota, but you if are thinking to buy, would suggest a bunch of Extreme and some capacious hard drive. In order for the "time machine" was the place, and for any film, video and so on.

Little about the technical side of things, the possibilities of this accessory:

• Interacting with computers, Mac, iPhone, iPod touch, and Windows PC, certified for Wi-Fi standard, 802.11a, 802.11b, 802.11g and 802.11n
• NAT, DHCP, PPPoE, Passthrough VPN (IPSec, PPTP and L2TP), DNS Proxy, SNMP, IPv6 (tunnel 6-in-4 and manual tunnels)
• IEEE 802.11a/b/g/n
• Simultaneous work with bands 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz (an important point.) On the Web site, in principle, it is described very lucidly, better not say: "Some Wi-Fi devices operate at 2.4 GHz, including iPhone, iPod touch and devices using standard 802.11b / g. Others can work in either 2,4 GHz, or higher-speed 5 GHz band - a PC Mac, based on the latest standard, 802.11n, and Apple TV. Thanks to the AirPort Extreme, you no longer have to choose - it allows you to work simultaneously in both bands. Multiband device will automatically use the best available range. This means that all of your Wi-Fi devices provide the best wireless performance and the most comprehensive coverage. "
• All so you can easily create a guest network. For example, if you at home, like me, often the visitors come with laptops, "just five minutes to sit and all that, then let them enjoy this very guest network. Not that zalezut somewhere else is not necessary. And you can do for them the password, you can not do, it's nice
• Will not go away to work with printers, here too, everything just
• Can connect up to 50 simultaneous users

Accordingly, it is because of the notorious 802.11n in our country and no official AirPort Extreme. As regards the rate, the interest I once again advise Ru_mac, in particular, this and that that discussion. In the community, in principle, you will find answers to almost any question about the Extreme. As far as my experience with the use, by Extreme laptops were connected to MBP 17 and Sony VAIO TZ, PS3, iPhone, and several other mobile devices, all right. I have a continuing interest from AKADO in the region of changing equipment (and so on until the end of December), in general, it is less so now I spread the video on YouTube. Yeah, so, with the speed and stability, all right, AirPort Extreme is not capricious, even if it is connected to pieces of seven devices, no reboots, crashes and other things.

The printer is connected not tried it. I note this at once.

Time Machine

To be honest, we should have on hand the previous version to see how much faster the new Extreme.In addition, I have no external drive for 1 or 2 terabytes, and Verbatim 500 GB slightly more than half packed with all sorts of necessary films, videos and so on. As promised site Apple, performance with Time Machine has increased by 60%. Nice figure. Especially if you recall the long hours, yet created a backup of 150 GB using Time Capsule (also the previous generation).

In general, if you tried to do it with your Mac and the new Extreme, please tell us about his experiences in the forum. As soon as I try to make a "backup" he immediately communicated to you this useful information.

Conclusions

Apple AirPort Extreme stands in Russia about ten thousand. This is the latest version. Penultimate without antenna gain - just over six thousand. In my opinion, it is possible to buy and Extreme previous generation with support for Draft-N, especially if you do not particularly important performance for "Time Machine".

You know, somehow I do not particularly interested in this accessory before, a bit too carried away by Time Capsule. For small, in general, you get a powerful and versatile device that is completely ready to become a sort of substitute for "capsule". I'm not talking about the newest, but about the "old" version of the enhancement. External hard drive to 2 TB can be bought for six thousand rubles, here you are, ready to network storage. And you can not buy such a capacious drive, take the 1 TB, they now stand empty and not a penny, but clearly less than last year. Extreme I liked almost all the issues caused a power supply. In other highly recommend all tired of reboots and tedious configuration of their routers. For you, it will be like a breath of fresh air.

icult.ru/item/129/128/1/1028 / "target =" _blank "> iCult.ru for giving the test AirPort Extreme.