argh why doesn't the Airport Extreme or the Time Capsule have a built in modem?!

[mmomega]

I'm not sure why people have problems setting it up.

Disconnect power from both.
Connect CAT6 cable from modem to AEBS port.
Turn both devices on.
All lights turn green.
Log into AEBS and set up your WiFi network.

It has been like this for ages, only thing different with the AEBS than most routers is that you use an app to gain access rather than dialing in to 192.168.1.1.

You can get more complicated if you want the AEBS to handle your PPPoE, etc but just to get it functioning it isn't difficult.
I believe it could potentially be more of a PITA for an All-in-One unit than 2 separate.

In my case my AEBS are in a separate room from the modem. I have a 16port gigabit switch mounted in a closet and CAT6 ran to wall ports in each room and AEBS are hanging upside down from the ceiling in 2 rooms, ethernet bridged together to give a strong WiFi signal to any part of the house.

My stepsons UVerse all-in-one box is HUGE and you just want to hide the thing, it's difficult to place it anywhere in his apartment without it being a large eyesore.

 

[takeshi74]

i just don't like the fact of having 2 devices when 1 can do all!

One can't. No single modem can be used with all the connectivity options out there therefore you can't have your dream all-in-one. In any case, there's good reason for the old saying "jack of all trades, master of none". You're always making compromises with such solutions.

 

[frannbug]

Apart from the arguments already laid out, there is also the issue that the more things you place in one box, the more likely you will have to replace everything when one part fails. Just like a multi-colour inkjet refill that needs replacing when only one colour has run out. With separate boxes you only need replace the bit that isn't working.

 

[animatedude]

One can't. No single modem can be used with all the connectivity options out there therefore you can't have your dream all-in-one. In any case, there's good reason for the old saying "jack of all trades, master of none". You're always making compromises with such solutions.

i understand your point of view but since Apple is obsessed with simplicity i don't understand why they didn't figure out a way to solve this problem by at least having the most popular connection (DSL) modem built in the Airport Extreme, this would drive the sales up, don't you think?

i find Airport Extreme to be VERY useless when most ISP will provide you with free modem/router with WiFi capabilities.

anyways, it looks like the Airport Extreme used to have built-in modem but Apple removed back in 2007 according to wikipedia.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AirPort_Extreme_802.11n

 

[blueroom]

The router + modem (Gateway) from your cable company are usually gubbage. Bell sells a modified WNDR-3700 with ADSL modem built in but alas the latest rage the 4500 is even better. Now Bell users are stuck with tech from two years ago.

Cable companies should offer stand alone modems and stay out of the router business (and vice versa).

 

[skorpien]

^ This

I'm with Telus, and even if I were to purchase the same modem/router that they gave me online (with the stock firmware), it wouldn't work with their service. Telus, and I'm sure many other ISPs, like to flash their equipment with their own specific firmware that restricts you from doing anything useful with their router. As such, I have to run my Extreme with a double NAT error if I want to set up my home's network the way I want...

 

[radiogoober]

i understand your point of view but since Apple is obsessed with simplicity i don't understand why they didn't figure out a way to solve this problem by at least having the most popular connection (DSL) modem built in the Airport Extreme, this would drive the sales up, don't you think?

i find Airport Extreme to be VERY useless when most ISP will provide you with free modem/router with WiFi capabilities.

anyways, it looks like the Airport Extreme used to have built-in modem but Apple removed back in 2007 according to wikipedia.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AirPort_Extreme_802.11n

This post exemplifies the aggravation of being a software developer or hardware manufacturer. I couldn't cope with customers complaining about insanely ridiculous things. I still have several apps in the store, and on occasion get hate mail becAuse my app doesn't have "xxxxx" functionality - which I obviously never said that it did, or because my app doesn't do things in a way that make no sense, but some random user misunderStands the purpose of it and believes it should behave in whichever weird way he's imagined.

I've lived in four different states and in two different countries. I've never seen a DSL box, nor have I seen a DSL modem with a built in wifi router. Time Warner in NYC didn't use them. I guess it isnt *that* popular.

 

[animatedude]

This post exemplifies the aggravation of being a software developer or hardware manufacturer. I couldn't cope with customers complaining about insanely ridiculous things. I still have several apps in the store, and on occasion get hate mail becAuse my app doesn't have "xxxxx" functionality - which I obviously never said that it did, or because my app doesn't do things in a way that make no sense, but some random user misunderStands the purpose of it and believes it should behave in whichever weird way he's imagined.

I've lived in four different states and in two different countries. I've never seen a DSL box, nor have I seen a DSL modem with a built in wifi router. Time Warner in NYC didn't use them. I guess it isnt *that* popular.

this is the problem of the majority of US-based members of this forum, you think everyone here lives in the US.

Hello! Apple most profit come from worldwide sales.

and correct me if i'm wrong but the most popular internet connection in Europe and the middle east is DSL.

 

[brentsg]

i still think AirPort Extreme with built-in DSL or Cable modem will save most of us headaches and will make ISP consider providing Airport Extreme to its customers which equals more sales for everyone.

Too much variability, it's a terrible idea.

 

[skorpien]

this is the problem of the majority of US-based members of this forum, you think everyone here lives in the US.

Hello! Apple most profit come from worldwide sales.

and correct me if i'm wrong but the most popular internet connection in Europe and the middle east is DSL.

You're assuming all DSL modems are the same. They are not. One ISP's modem might not necessarily work with another ISP's service.

At a time when you could use any dial up modem to connect to your ISP, this idea would have worked. As it is, ISPs all over the world utilize too many differing (and sometimes proprietary) technologies (DSL or otherwise) to make your idea feasible or profitable to Apple.

And even if Apple were to make a modem/router combo unit, the ISPs themselves would probably not allow customers to use these devices with their service.