This would also sound very convincing if I told it to myself before going to sleep at night, but it's still nonsense and there's no excuse for such older hardware. "Other companies do it too"? Isn't this supposed to be Apple, the company of being a class above the rest?
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Apple Now Selling Linksys Velop Mesh Wi-Fi System But Will Continue Offering AirPort Line
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This would also sound very convincing if I told it to myself before going to sleep at night, but it's still nonsense and there's no excuse for such older hardware. "Other companies do it too"? Isn't this supposed to be Apple, the company of being a class above the rest?
You've had something weird going on for sure...I've had Extremes since 2012 (still do) - and I literally never reboot them unless there's a firmware update.
There was an update a month or two (?) ago that added a feature called "daisy chaining" that is supposed to allow the Orbi satellites to connect to each other without going to the hub first. I haven't used this function myself or seen any reviews on it, but I believe it's there.
Plugging one "router" into another "router" does not give isolation between the two networks. We need two isolated networks at our house because we have a side gig fixing computers. Lots of our "fixing" involves machines with viruses and malware infections. We don't want those machines infecting our personal machines so I have setup two isolated nets. With only two routers, even though there are two different IP spaces, a client on the downstream router can access clients on the upstream router. You need 3 routers. One router is the "main" one that is connected to the internet on the WAN side, and the two other routers WAN ports plug into LAN ports on the main router. With that setup, clients on sub-router 1 cannot see clients connected to sub-router 2 and vice versa.
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Agreed....I would think twice about going with an all Google setup for my network. Google has a history of suddenly abandoning things that don't meet their current corporate vision.
The writing has been on the wall about Apple’s network products for quite a while now. I’m already planning a move to a Ubiquiti setup in my home, to take place this year. It’ll replace the HP 1910-24G switch, provide better/wider support for VLANs in the home, and enable PoE for Video surveillance. In the meantime, I just got a 1900AC router to tide me over for my AC wifi needs, rather than shell out for Apple’s dead product.
Started reading the LinkSYS Velop User Guide. Got to the part where it says...
"During setup you will create a Linksys Smart Wi-Fi account so you can use the app to view or change your Velop system settings from anywhere you have an internet connection."
No thanks. I'll stick with routers that don't require a vendor's cloud account to setup.
-- GetRealBro
"During setup you will create a Linksys Smart Wi-Fi account so you can use the app to view or change your Velop system settings from anywhere you have an internet connection."
No thanks. I'll stick with routers that don't require a vendor's cloud account to setup.
-- GetRealBro
Had the 3 node Linksys Velop system in my 3,000 sq. ft. house for about a year and hated it. Nodes would randomly drop out and need to be reset (which didn't always work). Picked up an Amplifi HD system and couldn't be happier. Hasn't dropped out once since I installed it 2 months ago and speeds are faster everywhere throughout the home.
This is getting frustrating. I've seen other routers that require this too.
WTF? I'm not giving someone else the keys to my network!
I don't understand why Apple wouldn't choose to favor Amplifi/Ubiquiti over Linksys. Much more in line with Apple's quality and design ethos, a much better product overall, and I know there are plenty of Apple engineers with Ubiquiti in their houses 
I use google wifi now, and it couldn't be simpler. I previously had the onhub, so it is a plus that I was still able to use that with google wifi.
I have a mesh network in my home, my parents home, and my office. I can manage all three from the same app and remotely.
I bought 3 AC routers - one for each level - for ⅓ of that upper price. You can keep it, I'm good over here.
Back around 2011 we were given a "flat" Airport Extreme. I set it up (easy and quick), and it's worked well since then. No problems at all.
But last summer, I got a hankerin' to try something newer. The "mesh" systems interested me, so I bought a 2-unit Velop (went to ebay and found a new package considerably cheaper than from amazon).
But -- without an iOS device (I'm one of the few users of this forum who doesn't have, and will probably never have, a smartphone or tablet), it can be daunting to set up and get running. It does have a browser-based interface, but some aspects of it are wanting.
I managed, though. Once set up the Velop system runs well enough. I did get into a fix trying to put it into bridge mode -- and then not being able to get out of bridge mode without a factory reset and a "full initial setup" again. I may have done it the hard way (as I usually do).
Now that Apple has brought it into their store lineup, I'm wondering if they'll come out with a Mac OS app by which to access it?
An "Airport Utility-like" interface would be very useful..!
But last summer, I got a hankerin' to try something newer. The "mesh" systems interested me, so I bought a 2-unit Velop (went to ebay and found a new package considerably cheaper than from amazon).
But -- without an iOS device (I'm one of the few users of this forum who doesn't have, and will probably never have, a smartphone or tablet), it can be daunting to set up and get running. It does have a browser-based interface, but some aspects of it are wanting.
I managed, though. Once set up the Velop system runs well enough. I did get into a fix trying to put it into bridge mode -- and then not being able to get out of bridge mode without a factory reset and a "full initial setup" again. I may have done it the hard way (as I usually do).
Now that Apple has brought it into their store lineup, I'm wondering if they'll come out with a Mac OS app by which to access it?
An "Airport Utility-like" interface would be very useful..!
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Here's my beef with the current state of home internet.
Instead of fitting homes with ethernet, we're solving the issue by throwing more wireless devices at it.
Instead of fitting homes with ethernet, we're solving the issue by throwing more wireless devices at it.
getrealbro wrote:
"No thanks. I'll stick with routers that don't require a vendor's cloud account to setup."
Velop -has- a web-based GUI that can be used to set it up.
I don't own any iOS devices, so I had no choice but to set mine up via the web GUI.
It took some "figurin' out", though. For some reason, Linksys expects the buyer to have smartphone access to either iOS or Android. Then you create an account and access the Velop that way.
As a point of order, I believe only Orbi and Velop provide a webGUI.
ALL of the other "mesh" routers out there require iOS and a similar "log into our website first" approach to set them up.
I welcome corrections.
"No thanks. I'll stick with routers that don't require a vendor's cloud account to setup."
Velop -has- a web-based GUI that can be used to set it up.
I don't own any iOS devices, so I had no choice but to set mine up via the web GUI.
It took some "figurin' out", though. For some reason, Linksys expects the buyer to have smartphone access to either iOS or Android. Then you create an account and access the Velop that way.
As a point of order, I believe only Orbi and Velop provide a webGUI.
ALL of the other "mesh" routers out there require iOS and a similar "log into our website first" approach to set them up.
I welcome corrections.
All the churn and drama in this market really makes me want to just spend the $$$ to buy a Cisco Aironet that'll probably serve me for the next ten years and that never has to be touched once it's configured.
I don't need routing anyway; just an access point. 99% of what's in the consumer market is extreme overkill for me.
I don't need routing anyway; just an access point. 99% of what's in the consumer market is extreme overkill for me.
I live my airport. Not impressed with the range tho. No way am I paying 350 for a router either.
I have the AirPort Extreme (since 2013) and it's probably the BEST product I have of Apple's. Never ONCE had an issue with it and works great in my home.
I've been following the "will the Apple Airport network hardware be discontinued or not?" threads since the original rumor. My primary, core concern with network connectivity is security and reliability because of how connected our house is and how much we rely on a (near) bullet proof WiFi setup.
Over the years I've added many HomeKit devices, and currently I've got August smart locks front and back entrance doors, the Chamberlain HomeKit garage opener, Eve Elgato sensors on certain windows and basement door, Ecobee 3 thermostat with 3 remote sensors, 30+ Philips Hue lights, 4 Koogoeek outlets to control certain fans/air purifiers, iDevices outdoor switch for backyard lights, iHome switch for front yard lights, and most recently Logitech Circle 2 cameras for the front and back doors. Not to mention all the non-HomeKit WiFi devices (iMac, laptops, TVs, etc.)
To support all these devices, I've got 3 AEBS 6th gens in my house in key locations for WiFi coverage, two in wireless extend mode so all my network devices are on the same SSID. I guess that would be considered a "mesh" network, of sorts, but long story short I'm very happy with the network performance overall in our 3,600 sq. ft. brick bungalow (finished basement, main, finished attic/2nd floor). I've got 2 Apple TVs (4th gen and 4K) and an old iPad Air setup as HomeKit hubs. All 3 AEBs, both ATVs, and of course the cable modem are connected battery backups for power outages.
My point in all of this is that my whole house is connected, which I love for the automation, but it comes down to security and relability, right? What do I trust for reliability and security on the networking side? For me, it's the Apple AEBS hardware and software.
No company is perfect when it comes to security and privacy, Apple included. But I'm really worried that if Apple eventually obsceletes the latest AEBS hardware and I have no choice to but to migrate to a new home network platform - I'll be exposing myself to some-yet-unknown huge security flaw (intentional or not) that's built in to every router software (Chinese-owned company computing products all have default backdoors for the Chinese gov't, I think that's sort of assumed by everyone. And the US gov't has been trying hard for YEARS to force companies to build in backdoors to OS and networking software). And who actually, seriously trusts companies like Google or Amazon to make networking hardware with a security-first approach, rather than a "here's more data we can monetize at the expense of security and privacy" approach?
Yes, I'm probably being way paranoid. But does anyone else share this sort of concern that if Apple drops their WiFi hardware - we're all giving up one of the key reasons to go with Apple in the first place: security and privacy (and yes reliability)?
I don't see any other companies out there that take such a hard-line approach to consumer privacy and security as Apple. And I don't trust other companies to stand up to government agencies trying to FORCE backdoors into this type of software. I don't understand how Apple doesn't see networking as key, CRITICAL part of their ecosystem.
Over the years I've added many HomeKit devices, and currently I've got August smart locks front and back entrance doors, the Chamberlain HomeKit garage opener, Eve Elgato sensors on certain windows and basement door, Ecobee 3 thermostat with 3 remote sensors, 30+ Philips Hue lights, 4 Koogoeek outlets to control certain fans/air purifiers, iDevices outdoor switch for backyard lights, iHome switch for front yard lights, and most recently Logitech Circle 2 cameras for the front and back doors. Not to mention all the non-HomeKit WiFi devices (iMac, laptops, TVs, etc.)
To support all these devices, I've got 3 AEBS 6th gens in my house in key locations for WiFi coverage, two in wireless extend mode so all my network devices are on the same SSID. I guess that would be considered a "mesh" network, of sorts, but long story short I'm very happy with the network performance overall in our 3,600 sq. ft. brick bungalow (finished basement, main, finished attic/2nd floor). I've got 2 Apple TVs (4th gen and 4K) and an old iPad Air setup as HomeKit hubs. All 3 AEBs, both ATVs, and of course the cable modem are connected battery backups for power outages.
My point in all of this is that my whole house is connected, which I love for the automation, but it comes down to security and relability, right? What do I trust for reliability and security on the networking side? For me, it's the Apple AEBS hardware and software.
No company is perfect when it comes to security and privacy, Apple included. But I'm really worried that if Apple eventually obsceletes the latest AEBS hardware and I have no choice to but to migrate to a new home network platform - I'll be exposing myself to some-yet-unknown huge security flaw (intentional or not) that's built in to every router software (Chinese-owned company computing products all have default backdoors for the Chinese gov't, I think that's sort of assumed by everyone. And the US gov't has been trying hard for YEARS to force companies to build in backdoors to OS and networking software). And who actually, seriously trusts companies like Google or Amazon to make networking hardware with a security-first approach, rather than a "here's more data we can monetize at the expense of security and privacy" approach?
Yes, I'm probably being way paranoid. But does anyone else share this sort of concern that if Apple drops their WiFi hardware - we're all giving up one of the key reasons to go with Apple in the first place: security and privacy (and yes reliability)?
I don't see any other companies out there that take such a hard-line approach to consumer privacy and security as Apple. And I don't trust other companies to stand up to government agencies trying to FORCE backdoors into this type of software. I don't understand how Apple doesn't see networking as key, CRITICAL part of their ecosystem.
I got an ASUS router for faster throughput on WiFi but it’s flaky compared to the Apple kit. I had not once needed to reboot the Time Capsule for WiFi dropouts but it’s that regular on the ASUS it is no surprise that it has an option to schedule a reboot. Just like most of these janky routers.
I have gigabit internet from Centurylink in Seattle. The Airport Extreme can NOT perform NAT fast enough to support gigabit internet speeds. It is limited to about 350 Mbps in my testing. Which is okay for most users but not up to current standards.
