Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
Not a power user by any means, so the question is:

Do I upgrade to the most current version or not?

Of course. Works just fine. Plus, v5.6 is also available with all the bells & whistles of the previous version.

You will lose the following with v6.0:

- SNMP configuration
- Syslog configuration
- IPv6 configuration
- 802.11x configuration
- Log viewing

Lots of negative experiences in the Apple thread below but I haven't seen any problems on my home network which has a TC on the main floor and two Airport Extremes (upstairs and basement) functioning as wireless network extenders.

https://discussions.apple.com/thread/3698039?start=0&tstart=0

There's three MBPs, a Mac mini, an iPad, an Apple TV and two iPhone 4Ss using the network...with no post-upgrade issues. I will note that v6.0 is showing slightly decreased data rate speeds but there's no discernible practical difference so it may just be a different calibration routine built into the new software.
 
The truth is, Apple is being more consumer friendly and that's obviously good for people. If Apple wanted to be anti-consumer they would remove this new app and replace it with the older and harder to use app. But the power users would like that. You see, what's good for consumers is often at odds with what's good for the so called "power users".

Disagree. This app would be fine for all users if they just added an option to show advanced configuration. That way, the power users are happy they can do all they want to and Jo Average does not get confused by the things they don't need to manage.
 
user. Probably below average. LOL

I'm just a guy who is new to Apple and just picked up a iMac and a MBP in the last year. I also scored a used Airport Extreme to replace my crappy Belkin unit at the house. Not a gamer, just want internet access when I want it with no complications and a little security, even though my nearest neighbor is likely 3 acres away.

Not a power user by any means, so the question is:

Do I upgrade to the most current version or not?

Absolutely, and it'll be smooth sailing too.
 
I like the new interface a lot, but I wish they would add some of the advanced features back. As other posters have suggested, it wouldn't be hard to make a switch to toggle between "Basic" and "Expert" mode. That way people who just want to hook up their Airport and get it running can simply use the basic mode, while those who want more control over advanced settings can use the expert mode.

Overall, I like it - but I still need to use the 5.6 utility to manage some things.
 
Cross that bridge when you get there. 5.6 was released today. Apple hasn't even announced the next OS update. My guess is that 10.8 (or whatever it will be called) won't be available for at least 18 months, or even longer.

It isn't as if the Airport is the only router that works with the Mac. Either the new devices will support that functionality in some other way, or people who need that functionality will look elsewhere. But I'm guessing that 99% of people will be fine with what is provided.
I'd rather the bridge be there to cross when the time comes.

Apple should be a little more forthcoming about their plans for Airpot Utility 6.x. Are they planning to add an "Advanced" mode?

It's not that they dropped support for 802.11g from 6.0 (although that is annoying as well) it's the removal of management features from the utility and putting out 5.6 doesn't tell us what Apple will do with 6.x going forward.
 
Ipv6

I don't know what will happen in the future with the different utility versions. I do really need some of the advanced features, in particular the IPv6 configuration. I guess over time they will bring the new utility up to feature parity with 5.6 and then they'll kill the older version. I like the eye candy part of the new utility that shows the topology of your home network when you have multiple devices, but I had gotten used to the old style.

Anyway, I disagree with the people who say that Apple is just about simplicity and that most people don't need a lot of configuration features. I am ok with simplicity in the surface and some power tools underneath. That's what the Mac has been in the past few years. Mac OSX on the surface and a UNIX like toolset underneath.

Going back to the utility. It would be good to have also an http interface. It is a pain in the neck to configure these devices on the road when using firewalled laptops, as they block the ports used by the utility. An http interface would be great.
 
from what i can understand from scanning this thread we can keep the 5.6 version of the utility? if so do i need to copy it out of the utilities folder before downloading 6.0? i'd like to try out the newer one and setup the icloud stuff(hated that they took that away when i switched to icloud) then just use 5.6. From other posts i gather that alot of functionally i use has been taken away for now
 
Absolutely, and it'll be smooth sailing too.

When I first switched to an Airport Extreme after ditching my Linksys, it was a night and day difference. In the past I would have to reset my Linksys on a regular basis. I never have to reset the Airport - "it just works." Apple just gets things right. :apple:
 
from what i can understand from scanning this thread we can keep the 5.6 version of the utility? if so do i need to copy it out of the utilities folder before downloading 6.0? i'd like to try out the newer one and setup the icloud stuff(hated that they took that away when i switched to icloud) then just use 5.6. From other posts i gather that alot of functionally i use has been taken away for now

Easy, install the 6.0 update, then run it and install the new firmware. Use the utility to set your iCloud if needed. After you get done with that, go to the apple web site and install the 5.6 airport utility, and install it. Use that if you wish to, both apps will be in you utility folder. (The current version 6.0 is just called airport utility, the older version is called airport utility 5.6.)
 
Managed to access the hard drive in my Time Capsule from work with no hassle at all! The steps I took were:

1. Add my iCloud Apple ID to the Back to My Mac section in Airport Utility (whilst connected to my home network)

2. Went to work

3. Checked my "Shared" networks in Finder and there it was!

Image


Hope this helps.

Any way to access the shared Disk from Windows?
 
Easy, install the 6.0 update, then run it and install the new firmware. Use the utility to set your iCloud if needed. After you get done with that, go to the apple web site and install the 5.6 airport utility, and install it. Use that if you wish to, both apps will be in you utility folder. (The current version 6.0 is just called airport utility, the older version is called airport utility 5.6.)

good deal...saw the update pop up on my ipad yesterday but didnt run it yet.

thanks

----------

I can't speak to your devices, but my Airports haven't needed a restart for small updates for a while now.

A.

interesting my Airport extreme always used to want to restart when i'd change anything whether it be wifi password, add a MAC address to my allowed list or anything. My time capsule is the same way.
 
I don't understand why this is an either/or issue. Either simplify (dumb down) for the idiot user (me) OR maintain a more complex system.

Perhaps it is my (infinite) ignorance, but wouldn't it have been possible to give a simpler system as the default for the average user, but maintain the advanced capabilities for the power user. Those capacities were already there, why remove them when they could be left in place. It's not as if those now deleted settings had to be created for the new configuration - they were already there.

While I like the new interface, I certainly can understand the advanced users' anger at the lost capacities.

It is odd to me that Apple would remove something already in place. It shouldn't be an either/or fight between advanced users and average users when both could be happy with the configuration.

Just the opinion of a neophyte...:D
 
When I first switched to an Airport Extreme after ditching my Linksys, it was a night and day difference. In the past I would have to reset my Linksys on a regular basis. I never have to reset the Airport - "it just works." Apple just gets things right. :apple:

+1

Set it and forget it!

After switching from Netgear, several years of no problems ever, yay:)
 
If the latest update to Final Cut Pro X is any indication, Apple does indeed listen to user feedback. If enough of us express our frustration to Apple in a polite and courteous way, they may put options back in future versions of AirPort Utility (6.x). Hopefully MacRumors users who are frustrated will contact the company and do more than simply vent here. I for one plan to send Apple some feedback on this.
 
If the latest update to Final Cut Pro X is any indication, Apple does indeed listen to user feedback. If enough of us express our frustration to Apple in a polite and courteous way, they may put options back in future versions of AirPort Utility (6.x). Hopefully MacRumors users who are frustrated will contact the company and do more than simply vent here. I for one plan to send Apple some feedback on this.

Agreed I will send a feedback email to Apple as well.
 
Managed to access the hard drive in my Time Capsule from work with no hassle at all! The steps I took were:

1. Add my iCloud Apple ID to the Back to My Mac section in Airport Utility (whilst connected to my home network)

2. Went to work

3. Checked my "Shared" networks in Finder and there it was!

Image
I get this error:
timecapsule.png

I am guessing my office's firewall is blocking the ports.
 
Techies hate moving technology forward for the masses. It's quite ironic if you think about it since the only way you can really move technology forward is to make it accessible and useable by the masses.

Not necessarily true.

You can make software easier to use instead of dumbing down. Its called an "Advanced" button, or "show advanced options" in the Preferences.

Apple are being lazy and taking the easy way out by removing the advanced functionality.
 
That version restriction is probably in place to ensure that it's installed on a supported platform going forward. Maybe right now it's not using any APIs specific to Lion (that you'e encountered yet), but as the application is updated, there's no guarantee it will continue to work on Snow Leopard.

The point is that Apple graciously made the upgrade path to Lion brain-dead easy and affordable so people don't have reasons not to upgrade. You're finding reasons for no good reason.

They may look the same on the surface, and function the same, but under the hood, there's a lot of differences and it's only a matter of time before those differences start to show themselves.

I'm sorry, but you completely contradict your point.

In one breath you state that the poster is "finding reasons for no good reasons", but then you go on to state that "there's a lot of differences and it's only a matter of time before those differences start to show themselves".

THIS last logic would be why some people do not want to upgrade.

I upgraded to Lion the day it came out - and I'm now wishing I never had. My MacBook (and now I have a MBP) was solid on SL. Never needed rebooting. Ever.

Now, I loose wireless after 30 seconds, and only switching to the 2.4GHz band restores connection. 5GHz band usage is extremely messed up.

Just because something new comes out does not make it better, for the exact reasons you stated. SOMETHING changed, and you may not know what until it's too late.
 
- wifi bug
You are certain that Lion contains more Wifi bugs than Snow Leopard?
- finder window focus bug
Again, are you sure there are more bugs in Lion's Finder compared to Snow Leopard's Finder.
- iCal's new hideous look
There are enough third-party apps that tap into the OS's calendar if you don't like the look of it.

- address book's removal of key features
The UI is different and thus makes managing groups a bit harder but what actual features were removed?

- slower, more sluggish animations
I think you confuse 'additional animation' with 'slower animation'. And anyway can switch that off.

- worse battery life
Do you have an A-B test (with all additional features like iCloud switched off)?
- inability to run (marginally) older apps
Every OS updates kicks out some older apps. It is for you to decide how important your old apps are to you (compared to the new features of the OS and to Lion-only applications from Apple and third-parties).

- disappearing disk space
Really? Some data please.

- mission control does less than exposé
That is the only feature I really miss in Lion, the all-windows Expose.

- hidden scroll bars obscure useful information
This is really grasping at straws. The next time you will complain the menubar got one pixel larger.
- can no longer drag file from the desktop into an exposé window
Funnily, I never knew that existed.
- must upgrade in order to use iCloud, for no reason whatsoever (except money-grabbing)
You have to pay for a new OS to use new features in the OS? How outrageous. And I am sure making 90% of the features of MobileMe free is a clear money grab.
I could go on, and on, and on.
I am sure of that. It seems that have that unique ability to only retain negative experiences.
 
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.