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AirPort Extreme and Time Capsule Update Details: Dual-Band, Guest Networks, Remote File Access

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Apr 12, 2001
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As we noted earlier today, Apple has updated their AirPort Extreme Base Station and Time Capsule offerings. A few of the new features are worth highlighting:

Simultaneous dual-band support - Operates simultaneously on both 5 GHz (802.11n) and 2.4 GHz (802.11b/g) frequencies to allow all wireless products to connect on the best available band. On previous models, users wishing to permit 802.11b/g devices such as many older Macs or the iPhone or iPod touch to connect to their access point were required to run in "mixed mode" at 2.4 GHz, negating some of the peformance benefits of 802.11n-enabled devices running on 5 GHz networks.

Guest networking - Creates a secondary network to allow family and visitors to connect to the Internet, while keeping the primary network with attached printers, drives, and other devices secured. The secondary network can be configured with a different password from the primary network or can have no password at all.

135917-wireless_security20090303.jpg.jpeg
Guest Network Setup​
Access files on a networked drive from anywhere - Allows MobileMe subscribers to register their AirPort Extreme Base Station or Time Capsule with their MobileMe account, providing them access to their files from anywhere via the Internet. Drives will appear in the Finder sidebar like any other attached drive, acting just like a personal file server with remote access.

Article Link: AirPort Extreme and Time Capsule Update Details: Dual-Band, Guest Networks, Remote File Access
 
Article Link
https://www.macrumors.com/2009/03/03/airport-extreme-and-time-capsule-update-details-dual-band-guest-networks-remote-file-access/
Anyone have any idea on whether this will be offered as a firmware/software update on existing TCs?
 
That's actually pretty awesome. I'm loving the guest account, and having the equivalent of a file server from anywhere you can access MobileMe is pretty sweet!
 
Man would i like for some of these features to be added to my current AEBS via Firmware (if no new internal hardware is needed, of course).

Any chance? :rolleyes:
 
colinmack said:
Anyone have any idea on whether this will be offered as a firmware/software update on existing TCs?
Click to expand...

They probably could not do dual-mode 5Ghz and 2.4Ghz, but the MobileMe option and guest sharing is plausible. But, then there would be no need to spend more money and upgrade! :D
 
crees! said:
So remote Time Machine backups then, eh?
Click to expand...

lol have fun with that!

Grimace said:
They probably could not do dual-mode 5Ghz and 2.4Ghz, but the MobileMe option and guest sharing is plausible. But, then there would be no need to spend more money and upgrade! :D
Click to expand...

Yes, I believe dual-band functionality is hardware-based. Now if the original AirPort Extreme did 5Ghz (don't know), then it may be possible as a FW update.
 
access by iphone?!

so theoretically, you could point your iphone/itouch to your time capsule remotely and stream your video library. think this would require an iphone app? shouldn't be too hard.
 
Guest sounds very cool indeed.

Remote File Access - this was meant to work in the original Airport Extreme right? I've never got it working/don't think it had an option in Airport Utility.
 
I have a question to anyone who understands the WiFI technique etc.

Because on the info page for the Time Capsule, it says this:

"Speed and range will be less if an 802.11a/b/g product joins the network."
(http://store.apple.com/us/product/MB764)

Is this just an old info text that they forgot to update with the new Time Capsules and AirPort Extremes? Because what else is the point with dual-band networking if it will still be slow as soon as a a/b/g product joins...
 
I don't think the AEBS supports remote file sharing through MobileMe. Only the TimeCapsule does. The article is a little bit incorrect:D
 
Virtuality said:
I have a question to anyone who understands the WiFI technique etc.

Because on the info page for the Time Capsule, it says this:

"Speed and range will be less if an 802.11a/b/g product joins the network."
(http://store.apple.com/us/product/MB764)

Is this just an old info text that they forgot to update with the new Time Capsules and AirPort Extremes? Because what else is the point with dual-band networking if it will still be slow as soon as a a/b/g product joins...
Click to expand...

May be a mistake. If you have a dual-band router (I do), then the G devices can operate on one band and the N devices on the other. They don't touch each other wirelessly.
 
Oh well, I was hoping Apple would update the Time Capsules with 2 or 4 hot-swappable raid drives...

Basically, I want a Mediasmart Server or Drobo but I was hoping Apple would do something to compete with these..
 
Would be nice to know how I register my Airport Extreme with MobileMe for remote file access. I've installed the two Airport updates released but no work from Apple on how to register...or even if it will work with the previous extreme.
 
Didn't expect this to be released :eek: And I just bought a Time Capsule from my local Apple Store on Sunday....!! :mad::p Specifically to do exactly what the new one does - use the TC as an N only network and use my old AEBS (fast ethernet) to create a second b/g only network!
 
I like the new features too. I wonder if Apple or an App developer will figure out a way to make it work for iPhone streaming. That would be really cool. I'm surprised they didn't bump the storage or lower the price. A 1TB external goes for $100 now, so $500 seems pretty steep for what they're offering. I haven't read enough reviews/comments about using an AEBS with an external for wireless TM backups. That might be the lower cost purchase or get a 500GB + another TB of storage for $400.
 
Virtuality said:
I have a question to anyone who understands the WiFI technique etc.

Because on the info page for the Time Capsule, it says this:

"Speed and range will be less if an 802.11a/b/g product joins the network."
(http://store.apple.com/us/product/MB764)

Is this just an old info text that they forgot to update with the new Time Capsules and AirPort Extremes? Because what else is the point with dual-band networking if it will still be slow as soon as a a/b/g product joins...
Click to expand...

That is a link to the previous generation AEBS. The new AEBS is http://store.apple.com/us/product/MB763?mco=NDE4Mzg1Nw
 
jholzner said:
Would be nice to know how I register my Airport Extreme with MobileMe for remote file access. I've installed the two Airport updates released but no work from Apple on how to register...or even if it will work with the previous extreme.
Click to expand...

There's an update out.
 
swajames said:
Didn't expect this to be released :eek: And I just bought a Time Capsule from my local Apple Store on Sunday....!! :mad::p Specifically to do exactly what the new one does - use the TC as an N only network and use my old AEBS (fast ethernet) to create a second b/g only network!
Click to expand...

Then Just return it to the store that you bought it at....:eek::apple:
 
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