How good is AirPort Extreme as router in 2022?

[dumastudetto]

We still use a cluster of AirPort Extremes across our entire enterprise. They seamlessly integrate with all our Apple devices to provide immersive connectivity experiences. Speed and security is all best-in-class.

Everything is connected wirelessly too, so we can roam freely around our office space for ultra productivity.

 

[FirDerrig33]

I love the AP extremes and expresses. right now it's only extremes (Ac ones for the actual internet) and the N ones to work as ethernet switches. it's awesome. One day I'll set up my expresses to make a whole home music streaming funhouse like Sonos but cheaper.

 

[diamond.g]

I sometimes miss using my AirPort Extremes, switched to Ubiquiti when I wanted to do a home security system (that didn't rely on external connectivity).

 

[pullman]

Once we get our fiber connection I'll be wiring a second AEBS to the top floor to improve connectivity.

 

[EugW]

I finally stopped using my AirPort Extreme as a router. Now I just use my several AirPort Extremes as access points, and let my internet gateway be the router, the reason being I just moved up to a 10 GbE Mac mini M4 on 1.9 Gbps internet service. Most of my home network backbone is still Gigabit, and that's what the AirPort Extremes hang off of, but there is a dedicated CAT6* line going from the modem in the basement to the Mac mini in the home office on the second floor.

I still love the AirPorts Extremes as access points though, since they're so stable and they work so well with Apple devices, even brand new ones (like recent iPhones, my iPad Pro M4, etc.). So, over the years, I've been slowly collecting them cheap on the used market to build out the coverage on my large and oddly shaped house, and to build out the WiFi network into the backyard too. Here is my current setup:

I've actually run outdoor CAT6 into the yard into the cabane and to the gazebo. Fortunately, the guy who built the house ran power to both. The two AirPort Extremes work just fine through our Canadian winters.

*I had two runs from the basement to the 2nd floor home office, one being CAT5e and the other being CAT6. My M1 Mac mini was running off the CAT5e fine on Gigabit. After I swapped in the 10 GbE M4 Mac mini, it initially negotiated fine at 2.5 Gbps, but I noticed it later dropped down to 1 Gbps. I've since switched it over to the CAT6 line to ensure stability of the connection.

 

[pullman]

That's a very nice setup. They're so inexpensive these days that it's tempting to buy more. Our house currently doesn't motivate it for me though. A few years ago I tried one of those tall Extremes but strangely enough that resulted in much worse coverage and speeds in our house so I returned it and reinstalled the square AEBS which is rock solid and has good reach.

I finally stopped using my AirPort Extreme as a router. Now I just use my several AirPort Extremes as access points, and let my internet gateway be the router, the reason being I just moved up to a 10 GbE Mac mini M4 on 1.9 Gbps internet service. Most of my home network backbone is still Gigabit, and that's what the AirPort Extremes hang off of, but there is a dedicated CAT6* line going from the modem in the basement to the Mac mini in the home office on the second floor.

I still love the AirPorts Extremes at access points though, since they're so stable and they work so well with Apple devices, even brand new ones (like recent iPhones, my iPad Pro M4, etc.). So, over the years, I've been slowly collecting them cheap on the used market to build out the coverage on my large and oddly shaped house, and to build out the WiFi network into the backyard too. Here is my current setup:

View attachment 2450447

I've actually run outdoor CAT6 into the yard into the cabane and to the gazebo. Fortunately, the guy who built the house ran power to both. The two AirPort Extremes work just fine through our Canadian winters.

*I had two runs from the basement to the 2nd floor home office, one being CAT5e and the other being CAT6. My M1 Mac mini was running off the CAT5e fine on Gigabit. After I swapped in the 10 GbE M4 Mac mini, it initially negotiated fine at 2.5 Gbps, but I noticed it later dropped down to 1 Gbps. I've since switched it over to the CAT6 line to ensure stability of the connection.