Comments on the Apple Airport AccessPoint from the AccessPointReviews page.
See also: ApFirmwareSwapping
- Apple Airport Base Station (15 April 2001)
- Approximate Cost: $299
- OS Support: Mac Native, and Windows (Freebase), and Java Setup
Protocol: 802.11b (WiFiCertified)
- Features:
- Nics: 1 Wireless, 1 Ethernet, 1 56k Modem
- Server Functions: DHCP both on Wireless and Ethernet Sides, NAT
- Antenna Connectors: Yes if you drill a hole in the case to connect via the Orinoco Silver card inside.
- Bridged Mode: Yes
- Security: Basic NAT, 40 bit WEP and MAC filtering
- Power Source: 12 V, 1.25 Amp DC
- Useful Links (Reviews, Product Description etc):
Windows Configuration Program, Freebase http://freebase.sourceforge.net/
Java Configuration Program http://edge.mcs.drexel.edu/GICL/people/sevy/airport/
Replacing fried capacitors and other modifications http://www.vonwentzel.net/ABS/
- Comments/Thoughts:
This product is basically the same Orinoco RG-1000. It works great and is easy to setup. One minor complaint is that you may need a Mac at sometime to update the software. The other programs (FreeBase and Java Programs) do all the functions required. WEP worked fine with a Intel 2011 card, Apple Airport Card, and Lucent/Orinoco Gold. Product is stable and speed is as expected for a 802.11 base station. It now supports PPPoE with Apple Airport version 1.3. --TerrySchmidt
- Limited to 10 simultaneous wireless connections. Ethernet DHCP settings are fairly inflexible; LAN addresses shared are 10.0.1.1 - 10.0.1.50, a range that cannot be adjusted. Corporate trivia: I believe this product is what Starbucks is using for wireless access at their shops. --Pete
IGNORE ALL OF THE ABOVE COMMENTS. The airport is not limited to 10 connections, that is just the recommended number per base station. http://maccentral.macworld.com/storyforum/forums/_news_0103_09.migration/?read=12 Also JAReD of SeattleWireless has tested and firmed this. Second the ethernet settings are not inflexible at all. Use either the FreeBase configuring program, or the java configuration program, and you can set the DHCP range to whatever you want. -- TerrySchmidt
The Aiprort works great with other OSes as well. The only thing you need a Mac for is to update the firmware, which is only an issue if you want to use PPPoE. One thing to keep in mind though is that the Airport does have a history of overheating after the warrenty has expired, so take the Base Station out of it's housing, and you won't have the overheating problems. -- TerrySchmidt
July 17, 2001 Apple has identified a problem with a small number of AirPort Base Stations that causes them to continuously blink status lights, not respond to wired or wireless connections and reset every few seconds even after a hard reset. The problem affects AirPort Base Stations in the following serial number range: PW940XXXXXXX to PW952XXXXXX. Customers with an AirPort Base Station in the serial number range with the aforementioned symptoms should call 1-800-APL-CARE in the U.S. and 1-800-263-3394 in Canada to make arrangements for a replacement. -MichaelCodanti
The AirPort, RG-1000, and AP-500 are almost all identical hardware and software. In fact you can swap the firmware. (See ApFirmwareSwapping)