Apple Quietly Releases 802.11n Capable Airport Extreme [Updated]

[aswitcher]

If you need a GB ethernet switch, they are easily come by, and in port numbers to suit your needs.

I think Apple are aiming at having all multimedia and data transfers done through wireless N not ethernet. The ethernet ports are there I think to allow you to easily get everything access to your broadband, to attach ethernet storage, and other enabled devices - and other pre-N Macs - to your N network. I also wonder what other ethernet devices they might have lined up. I personally would have liked to see 2 USB ports. I dont think they intend this WAP to be more than that.

 

[weldon]

USB2.0 theoretically maxs out at 480Mbps. Practically it maxs out at 240Mbps, 802.11n maxs out at 160Mbps (at least most of the pre-n's do). Same ballpark.

But see, that's my point. You need a fast backplane in the Airport Extreme and more bandwidth on the wired side so that 802.11n or the USB AirDisk can't flood the backplane and the wired side and prevent *other* network activity from happening. If you plan on using the AirDisk feature extensively, you wouldn't want to put all of wired computers into the 3 provided RJ-45 jacks.

If you need a GB ethernet switch, they are easily come by, and in port numbers to suit your needs.

Right, but Apple doesn't sell a switch. It's silly that their premier networking product would cause all your wired Macs to step down in speed if you connect them to the Airport Extreme.

If I do get one of these things (and I might if the NAS feature works well) then I will put it behind a Gig-E switch with a fast backplane and good support for jumbo frames. But then, I've been a network engineer. I don't expect most people to figure this out on their own. When Apple's claim to fame is "it just works" they should make products that don't hobble the capabilities of the Macs that use them.

 

[aswitcher]

If I do get one of these things (and I might if the NAS feature works well) then I will put it behind a Gig-E switch with a fast backplane and good support for jumbo frames. But then, I've been a network engineer. I don't expect most people to figure this out on their own. When Apple's claim to fame is "it just works" they should make products that don't hobble the capabilities of the Macs that use them.

Sure, I too would prefer a GB switch inthe AE but I would only likley use one of them ever, no matter how many AEs and AppleTVs I might have, most of my network would be wireless.

But since you know something about switches, could you recommend a 4/6 port Gig-E switch?

 

[bgarlock]

Consumer and Pro version?

I would like for Apple to make both a consumer, and Pro version of the Airport Extreme. Wouldn't a Pro version with gig-E, FW800, FW800, and E-SATA port for HD connectivity be nice? I would pay extra for that. Especially with Time Machine coming, have a NAS device attached at these speeds would be nice.

I think a lot of shops would pay extra for the faster connectivity, and features. Apple has other Pro models, why not in the WiFi range? Hopefully they are working on something like this.

Do any other vendors offer anything like this? Maybe I am just dreaming

After you have transferred data over gig-E, anything less can be painful. Especially if you are moving some serious data. Also, with the probability of HD content on iTunes, and the need to back it up, and stream it, these speeds are going to be necessary for any kind of good experience.

Any one else like to chime in on this idea?

 

[shamino]

But since you know something about switches, could you recommend a 4/6 port Gig-E switch?

I'd recommend you just walk into your local computer superstore and look around. Most 8-port GigE switches are less than $100 these days, including models from the major vendors.

I would like for Apple to make both a consumer, and Pro version of the Airport Extreme. Wouldn't a Pro version with gig-E, FW800, FW800, and E-SATA port for HD connectivity be nice? I would pay extra for that. Especially with Time Machine coming, have a NAS device attached at these speeds would be nice.

I think a lot of shops would pay extra for the faster connectivity, and features. Apple has other Pro models, why not in the WiFi range? Hopefully they are working on something like this.

Maybe, but how much more would people spend? If it ends up costing more than a standalone NAS and a standalone WiFi router, would you still buy it? I wouldn't.

Do any other vendors offer anything like this?

Not right now. I did some searching (see above in this thread). Aside from Apple's product, I was only able to find one other vendor of n-class router with file sharing - Linksys. Their product has GigE, but does not support printer sharing. No FW/SATA ports. And it costs more than Apple's product.

After you have transferred data over gig-E, anything less can be painful. Especially if you are moving some serious data. Also, with the probability of HD content on iTunes, and the need to back it up, and stream it, these speeds are going to be necessary for any kind of good experience.

You and I may have a different definition of "serious data", but, IMO, anyone running a high performance network shouldn't be using consumer-grade devices of any kind. Buy yourself a proper GigE router and use a separate wireless base station. All-in-one devices designed for home users to access their cable modems work great for their intended purpose, but they are all woefully inadequate for running a high-performance network.

Don't expect $5000 worth of performance from a $100 (or $180) device. It just won't happen.

 

[tschmidty6]

Airport Extreme 802.11n - Work with old machines?

Hey,

What details do we know about the new airport extreme and how it will work with older machines? I have a iBook G4 right now and am looking to hook up a 320gig MyBook by Western Digital to it (which I already own). I also will be getting a MacBook in June. If I purchase the basestation now, will it work flawlessly with my iBook? Will the 802.11n capablilities get in the way? I'd apprecaite any tips / knowledge you might have. Thanks!

Travis