Apple Releases AirPort Base Station Firmware Update 7.9.1

[Sedulous]

And? Such telemetry data collection is not an issue. Many companies keep track of customer statistics of their online customers for BI purposes.

Data usage can be part of billing and providing google / AWS customers a telemetry reporting service.

Your ISP, cell provider logs what sites you are visiting ( and probably required by law, even in the us), your data usage etc.

And I don’t want my router sniffing that information and reporting it back to the manufacturer. It is bad enough the ISPs do it.
Likewise, sure internet bound traffic can be encrypted but intranet data in the age of IoT smart home connected always online everything... the router is handling non-encrypted information.

 

[ksec]

My cable modem is bridged but the main AirPort Extreme is not bridged and is functioning as the router for the entire network. Connection is wired Ethernet.

And no, this is not new. People with speed problems may have one of these issues:

1. Running PPPoE.
2. Client computer too slow.
3. Running WiFi only.
4. Running software that slows down speed. eg. Anti-virus.
Etc.

Nope, Not a single one you listed. There is no PPPoE in FTTH over here in HK. And there are test that get similar results [1], although it was from 2013.

[1] https://www.smallnetbuilder.com/wir...pple-airport-extreme-80211ac-reviewed?start=1

 

[BigBoy2018]

Excellent product line. Apple doesn't give a rat's cent about power users anymore, because these were must-haves for a long time, and I think they still are.

Ugh, I hate to say it, but don’t live in the past (trust me, I live in the past when it comes to a lot of things in my life).

The AirPort Extreme was good for it’s time but all the current mesh systems destroy it in terms of performance. The Netgear Orbi is an absolute beast. To hear you praising the ancient AirPort Extreme (and as a so-called power user) at this point just seems silly.

 

[Stella]

ISPs have to keep logs, often required by law.

I suggest you use a VPN.

And I don’t want my router sniffing that information and reporting it back to the manufacturer. It is bad enough the ISPs do it.
Likewise, sure internet bound traffic can be encrypted but intranet data in the age of IoT smart home connected always online everything... the router is handling non-encrypted information.

 

[OzyOly]

Anyone know of any other company that discontinues a product and then releases a firmware or software update for that product 6 months or more later? Hats off to Apple! Many thanks!

Certainly not Microsoft. I don't buy into their ecosystem now as I've lost so much $ from abandoned platforms and pulled content.

 

[Sedulous]

ISPs have to keep logs, often required by law.

I suggest you use a VPN.

Please stop. I know ISPs keep logs.

A VPN has nothing to do with intranet traffic. Although data still passes through the router, it does not (or should not) pass outside the network. However, many if not most of the, mainstream router manufacturers could (and probably do) still sniff that data (and conceivably more).

 

[BigBoy2018]

Please stop. I know ISPs keep logs.

A VPN has nothing to do with intranet traffic. Although data still passes through the router, it does not (or should not) pass outside the network. However, many if not most of the, mainstream router manufacturers could (and probably do) still sniff that data (and conceivably more).

Oh lord. Chill with the tin hat stuff and worry about real dangers - like the next time you drive to the supermarket your chances of dying in a car crash are more severe than any chance someone will ‘sniff’ a morsel of your boring life and use it against you.

Honestly, get some perspective.

 

[Sedulous]

Oh lord. Chill with the tin hat stuff and worry about real dangers - like the next time you drive to the supermarket you’re chances of dying in a car crash are more severe than any chance someone will ‘sniff’ a morsel of your boring life and use it against you.

Honestly, get some perspective.

There is no reason for these routers to report this kind of information... except to benefit the manufacturer. Is it unreasonable to want to exclude this sort of thing from MY network? It isn’t about wild tin-foil hat conspiracy nut stuff. Please keep your insulting assumptions out of thread because like router network reporting, it doesn’t belong here.

 

[k1121j]

I loved mine just replaced it as it was slowly dying. Have an Orbi (4 bases) now and love it my entire property is completely covered with good WiFi.
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[doublepost=1559325797][/doublepost]

https://krebsonsecurity.com/2019/05...rmable-flaw-in-windows-xp-7-and-windows-2003/

What hospital that has hipaa compliance uses XP still? If this is true remind me not to go to that hospital

 

[liberte1776]

Install Documents by Readdle, it can access the Time Capsule (and any other SMB share) just fine.

Wow, that is really awesome, thanks! Did not know, and it does work great, now Apple just integrate the functionality into the Files app, huh?
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Maybe it being a discontinued product has something to do with that?

iOS has been out for many many years, and never Time Capsule integrated by Apple!
[doublepost=1559450773][/doublepost]I upgraded my TC to a 10 Gig drive! Much better now!

 

[retta283]

Ugh, I hate to say it, but don’t live in the past (trust me, I live in the past when it comes to a lot of things in my life).

The AirPort Extreme was good for it’s time but all the current mesh systems destroy it in terms of performance. The Netgear Orbi is an absolute beast. To hear you praising the ancient AirPort Extreme (and as a so-called power user) at this point just seems silly.

Who said anything about it being a superior product to modern ones? They've worked for me for years, and since I have not required anything better, why should I spend the money? I am not in the router business anymore like I was then, I am just riding on existing equipment.

 

[EugW]

Nope, Not a single one you listed. There is no PPPoE in FTTH over here in HK. And there are test that get similar results [1], although it was from 2013.

[1] https://www.smallnetbuilder.com/wir...pple-airport-extreme-80211ac-reviewed?start=1

Connection is as below, with backbone all Ethernet only:

Cable modem --> AirPort Extreme 802.11ac ("Basement" acting as router) --> unmanaged 24-port Gigabit switch --> unmanaged 8-port Gigabit switch --> AirPort Extreme 802.11ac ("Office" acting as switch & WiFi bridge only) --> computer

This is what I get on my 2017 iMac (Ethernet):

This is what I get on my cheap, almost decade old Acer X3400 Win 10 PC with Phenom II X6 1055T (Ethernet):

Here is what I get on my iPad Pro 10.5" (WiFi):

The only other thing I can think of that might be different than some setups is that I have IPv6 enabled.

 

[SurferPup]

I love my AirPort Extremes. I have two - the other is for Ethernet over Wi-Fi for strong coverage inside and around the my property. The best WLAN transmitter on the market. Hopefully will be brought back one day.

 

[alphaod]

Apart from looking nice and having a pretty easy setup process from the get-go, the AirPort Extreme has long been surpassed by many products on the market, in just about everything: performance, price, easy to use, features.

The only AirPort product I still use is the Express because it's AirPlay 2 compatible, but that's about the only good thing I have to say about it.

 

[JP2014]

Good for its time, but current routers (like the Netgear Orbi) are such leaps and bounds better than the last airport extreme that its laughable that anyone would miss it at this point.

I have a fiber connection 1000mbps up and down and still haven’t found a router setup that gets me better and more consistent speeds than the two 6th gen airport extremes that I currently have running. So I definitely miss Apple’s routers.

 

[BigBoy2018]

I have a fiber connection 1000mbps up and down and still haven’t found a router setup that gets me better and more consistent speeds than the two 6th gen airport extremes that I currently have running. So I definitely miss Apple’s routers.

All I can tell you is the airport has a max output of 1.3gbs and you would only get anywhere near that speed when youre right next to the router. The Orbi maxes out a 3gbs and the coverage is a hell of a lot wider.

So thats great that your happy with the airport extreme, but it simply doesnt compare.

I have a couple friends who, like me, went from the airport extreme to the Orbi, and we all were like .. “holy ——-!!!”

 

[BadgerPharm37]

That's super cheap.
[doublepost=1559272800][/doublepost]I loved these routers. They always worked great except up until late. We ended up having issues with them overheating and turning themselves off Decided to move out from Apple's Wi-Fi systems but have still yet to find something as reliable.
I would buy a new Wi-Fi system straight away if they decide to get back into them

I used my airport extreme with an external hard drive until it started to drop connections, and the USB port intermittently stopped recognizing the hard drive. With all the new mesh systems, most don't have USB ports, or don't recognize external hard drives which is super annoying. It wasn't cheap, but after trying out 3 different systems, I settled on the linksys velop 4 router system from costco (which was $100 off at the time). Wasn't happy with orbi, they are big and ugly and the usb ports don't work. The linksys perform great, but no usb ports. less ethernet jacks (2 per), but thats not a huge deal for me personally. Unfortunately just have to plug in the external drive to make backups every now and then.

 

[Lodesman]

Who said anything about it being a superior product to modern ones? They've worked for me for years, and since I have not required anything better, why should I spend the money? I am not in the router business anymore like I was then, I am just riding on existing equipment.

My thoughts entirely - well said !

 

[McScooby]

Was the update not just to remove Back To My Mac functionality? Haven’t updated yet, just curious if it’s gone!

 

[jezbd1997]

I used my airport extreme with an external hard drive until it started to drop connections, and the USB port intermittently stopped recognizing the hard drive. With all the new mesh systems, most don't have USB ports, or don't recognize external hard drives which is super annoying. It wasn't cheap, but after trying out 3 different systems, I settled on the linksys velop 4 router system from costco (which was $100 off at the time). Wasn't happy with orbi, they are big and ugly and the usb ports don't work. The linksys perform great, but no usb ports. less ethernet jacks (2 per), but thats not a huge deal for me personally. Unfortunately just have to plug in the external drive to make backups every now and then.

Any issues with reliability? I heard about some issues and the 1 port would be kind of annoying, I’d just have to use more switches.

 

[Darth-Kylie]

iCloud is safer than a local backup

iCloud shouldn’t be treated as a backup. It’s a convenience for syncing and having access to data across all your Apple devices, no more (except in the case of iCloud Backup for iOS devices).

Apple Support documents make the ‘iCloud is not a backup’ thing explicit, and its mention has become more prominent in those documents in the last year or so.

But it’s understandable that people think of iCloud that way, if they aren’t looking out for the subtleties in Apple’s feature descriptions. For example, iCloud Photos containing your full-quality originals could be taken as a backup.

Most of the iCloud services can be considered a live file system. Damage on one device can spread easily to others.

 

[jonnysods]

Congrats on the update everyone!

I had to get rid of my TC a while back - was getting concerned that it was abandonware. At least they pushed something new out.

 

[jlocker]

I loved all my Apple WIFI routers over the years, they were great. Now I use Netgear's 802.11AX/WIFI 6 router. Love that this is still a US based company and it is right down the road from Apple Headquarters. I live in a very congested neighborhood and with all the 125 wifi routers around me my signal was not great and a lot of drops. Now with the new Netgear RAX80 which i can use the DFS channels. I am the only person on channel 100 right now and my connection is rock solid. Using it under 802.11AC right now, but this fall I think we will start seeing more Apple products with the AX standard, so i will be ready for the change.

 

[jezbd1997]

I loved all my Apple WIFI routers over the years, they were great. Now I use Netgear's 802.11AX/WIFI 6 router. Love that this is still a US based company and it is right down the road from Apple Headquarters. I live in a very congested neighborhood and with all the 125 wifi routers around me my signal was not great and a lot of drops. Now with the new Netgear RAX80 which i can use the DFS channels. I am the only person on channel 100 right now and my connection is rock solid. Using it under 802.11AC right now, but this fall I think we will start seeing more Apple products with the AX standard, so i will be ready for the change.

I was looking at getting the RAX80 as well, as an airport ac replacement. Worth the extra bucks for a “new new” router?

 

[jrodmonaco]

I think my AirPort Extreme is starting to die. It seems like my internet freezes up completely and randomly somewhere between 20-60 minutes apart, but only for around 20-30 seconds. I don't think it's my ISP either because they have been pretty solid for years, but maybe it's the modem. They gave me a new one though last year when I upgraded to 500Mbps. Still waiting for mesh WiFi 6 before I upgrade.

This is exactly what it is happening with mines. Did you figure out anything else?