My AirPort Extreme 802.11ac is starting to get lagging with the increase of devices, streaming Netflix and online gaming on the PS4. I replaced a 2012 cable modem with a new one but it didn't help so I figured it must be the router. I heard that Apple stopped developing Airport routers. Do you have any suggestions on what to replace the Airport Extreme with?
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What to replace Airport Extreme
- Thread starter cpeebles25
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Amplifi by Ubiquiti. If you don't need the whole mesh system just get the base router. Looks awesome, works great, and it has a nice app.
Not necessarily the router...
Routers don't tend to slow down, you may be experiencing more interference from other nearby networks, or other wireless devices that don't use WiFi but operate in the same frequencies. If this is the case, a new router won't necessarily improve things, it will operate in the same frequency ranges as the Airport. Also, if using Cable internet, more neighbors may be on the network which tends to slow things down, particularly in high use times.
The AP Extreme AC router is dual band (2.4 and 5GHz). 2.4 has longer range, but operates in the same frequencies that wireless landline phones, bluetooth devices, wireless keyboards and mice, radars, and microwaves to name a few. And, 2.4 is considerably slower than 5GHz. Because the range is farther, neighbor's routers may overlap with your router. All of these tend to slow things down.
5GHz has a shorter range and suffers less from interference with other devices, and offers speeds up to 10x that of 2.4Ghz. You are less likely to see neighbor's 5GHz networks due to the shorter range, but might not reach all areas of your home (without additional access points).
The problem is, most of us accept defaults when setting up our gear, using the same SSID for both frequency bands and therefore we have little control over which frequency our devices will use, often falling back to the 2.4GHz signal. I set my SSID to be different for 5GHz (NETWORK vs NETWORK-5G for example). Then, on devices that support 5GHz, I program the 5G SSID but not the 2.4 SSID. This leaves the 2.4 range for the few devices that cannot use the 5GHz.
Also, if you do see neighbor's networks, determine which channel they use and manually set your channels to be different rather than accept "automatic". If you can, avoid channel 6 on the 2.4 frequency which is right in the middle of the spectrum and most susceptible to interference.
If the range is poor in parts of the home, consider an additional access point such as Airport Express. If you can, connect this via Ethernet to the main router and set the WiFi up identical to the router to allow you to freely roam without switching networks. If ethernet is a challenge, consider MOCA or Ethernet over Powerline adapters to use house Coax (MOCA) or power lines to transmit the data to a remote location. If you go this route, don't skimp as older technologies were pretty slow.
I have had a Time Capsule AC for several years and experience no slow downs, in fact my ISP keeps raising my service level and my speeds increase every time they do. I added an older AP Extreme and AP Express via ethernet and power line and am able to connect to 5G band anywhere in my home with speeds equal to my ISP service (currently about 70Mbps). I also took the time to tune my channels so the Airport devices use different channels that don't overlap, and avoid sharing channels with neighbors WiFi.
You may be able to improve your network speeds at little or no cost by doing some of these steps.
Routers don't tend to slow down, you may be experiencing more interference from other nearby networks, or other wireless devices that don't use WiFi but operate in the same frequencies. If this is the case, a new router won't necessarily improve things, it will operate in the same frequency ranges as the Airport. Also, if using Cable internet, more neighbors may be on the network which tends to slow things down, particularly in high use times.
The AP Extreme AC router is dual band (2.4 and 5GHz). 2.4 has longer range, but operates in the same frequencies that wireless landline phones, bluetooth devices, wireless keyboards and mice, radars, and microwaves to name a few. And, 2.4 is considerably slower than 5GHz. Because the range is farther, neighbor's routers may overlap with your router. All of these tend to slow things down.
5GHz has a shorter range and suffers less from interference with other devices, and offers speeds up to 10x that of 2.4Ghz. You are less likely to see neighbor's 5GHz networks due to the shorter range, but might not reach all areas of your home (without additional access points).
The problem is, most of us accept defaults when setting up our gear, using the same SSID for both frequency bands and therefore we have little control over which frequency our devices will use, often falling back to the 2.4GHz signal. I set my SSID to be different for 5GHz (NETWORK vs NETWORK-5G for example). Then, on devices that support 5GHz, I program the 5G SSID but not the 2.4 SSID. This leaves the 2.4 range for the few devices that cannot use the 5GHz.
Also, if you do see neighbor's networks, determine which channel they use and manually set your channels to be different rather than accept "automatic". If you can, avoid channel 6 on the 2.4 frequency which is right in the middle of the spectrum and most susceptible to interference.
If the range is poor in parts of the home, consider an additional access point such as Airport Express. If you can, connect this via Ethernet to the main router and set the WiFi up identical to the router to allow you to freely roam without switching networks. If ethernet is a challenge, consider MOCA or Ethernet over Powerline adapters to use house Coax (MOCA) or power lines to transmit the data to a remote location. If you go this route, don't skimp as older technologies were pretty slow.
I have had a Time Capsule AC for several years and experience no slow downs, in fact my ISP keeps raising my service level and my speeds increase every time they do. I added an older AP Extreme and AP Express via ethernet and power line and am able to connect to 5G band anywhere in my home with speeds equal to my ISP service (currently about 70Mbps). I also took the time to tune my channels so the Airport devices use different channels that don't overlap, and avoid sharing channels with neighbors WiFi.
You may be able to improve your network speeds at little or no cost by doing some of these steps.
OP:
You would do well to take the next few weeks and start investigating the various "mesh type" systems that are out there.
There are quite a few now: Netgear Orbi, Linksys Velop, eero, google wifi, Ubiquiti Amplifi, and others. Be aware that most (not all) of them require a Smartphone or tablet to set up (using iOS or Android). Orbi and Velop can be setup using a web interface.
Go to amazon and start reading the reviews and Q&A's.
I would NOT buy another Apple networking device now -- Apple is no longer developing them, and another 3 or 4 years down the line may refuse to support or update them any longer. (I still have an old AirPort Extreme that's still working, but also now have a Velop system that works well).
You would do well to take the next few weeks and start investigating the various "mesh type" systems that are out there.
There are quite a few now: Netgear Orbi, Linksys Velop, eero, google wifi, Ubiquiti Amplifi, and others. Be aware that most (not all) of them require a Smartphone or tablet to set up (using iOS or Android). Orbi and Velop can be setup using a web interface.
Go to amazon and start reading the reviews and Q&A's.
I would NOT buy another Apple networking device now -- Apple is no longer developing them, and another 3 or 4 years down the line may refuse to support or update them any longer. (I still have an old AirPort Extreme that's still working, but also now have a Velop system that works well).
if you decide to buy one of the mesh systems, you need to quite careful about what you choose as they have been hyped up, especially in the tech podcast advertising.
There is a good MacVoices podcast about mesh networking from 27th June this year, with dave Hamilton and Chuck Joiner.
A few months ago John Gruber was advertising Eero, and enthusing about the low loss between the first and second and third router. I was surprised because I thought the loss he described was pretty bad. Not at all what we have been hearing. And not hugely better than apple airports connected wirelessly.
My four apple airports with an ethernet cable, which I know everybody can't do, has no loss and has worked perfectly for several years.
If I do end up replacing with a mesh system eventually I will still be using ethernet.
I agree with techwarrior you should check for interference.
There is a good MacVoices podcast about mesh networking from 27th June this year, with dave Hamilton and Chuck Joiner.
A few months ago John Gruber was advertising Eero, and enthusing about the low loss between the first and second and third router. I was surprised because I thought the loss he described was pretty bad. Not at all what we have been hearing. And not hugely better than apple airports connected wirelessly.
My four apple airports with an ethernet cable, which I know everybody can't do, has no loss and has worked perfectly for several years.
If I do end up replacing with a mesh system eventually I will still be using ethernet.
I agree with techwarrior you should check for interference.
Here is what I used to replace my lightning damaged AirPort Extreme:
http://www.arris.com/surfboard/products/wi-fi-cable-modems/sbg7580-ac/
Could not be happier.
Re: Apple discontinuing Airport products... they re-assigned the staff to other products. While Airport standalone network gear may be end of road, I suspect Apple will ultimately add Airport functionality into other products. It is a tough gig to compete with small companies on WiFi gear, the equipment doesn't turn over like phones and Macs, people tend to keep these relatively low priced devices for many years. So, finding a more consumable\higher value platform to deploy networking on might be in the cards.
That said, current Airport gear is still being sold, and Apple tends to support for up to 5 years. By then, next-gen WiFi, and faster ISP links are likely to demand gear that can keep up with the newer technologies. So, any investment now is likely to be obsolete in a few years.
802.11ax is due to be "approved" in 2019 and aims to deliver 4x speeds (compared to 802.11ac) over both 2.4 and 5GHz frequencies with several technologies to reduce the impact of overlapping networks in dense environments. Theoretically, it is expected speeds up to 10Gbps may be possible in ideal conditions. My guess is that the resulting WiFi gear would have both speed and range benefits over current technologies, making Mesh less attractive for most home users.
If 802.11ax delivers on it's goals, 4-10Gbps WiFi speeds with less complexity will be the norm, making everything we know today obsolete, including Mesh. Mesh may have a place in wider deployments like public places, but may not be necessary in home environments.
That said, current Airport gear is still being sold, and Apple tends to support for up to 5 years. By then, next-gen WiFi, and faster ISP links are likely to demand gear that can keep up with the newer technologies. So, any investment now is likely to be obsolete in a few years.
802.11ax is due to be "approved" in 2019 and aims to deliver 4x speeds (compared to 802.11ac) over both 2.4 and 5GHz frequencies with several technologies to reduce the impact of overlapping networks in dense environments. Theoretically, it is expected speeds up to 10Gbps may be possible in ideal conditions. My guess is that the resulting WiFi gear would have both speed and range benefits over current technologies, making Mesh less attractive for most home users.
If 802.11ax delivers on it's goals, 4-10Gbps WiFi speeds with less complexity will be the norm, making everything we know today obsolete, including Mesh. Mesh may have a place in wider deployments like public places, but may not be necessary in home environments.
OP, I had issues similar to yours as well as brick and metal in the walls that gave my Airport fits. For me, the Google Wifi has been really great. Main drawback for me is the lack of ethernet ports on the units, but the wifi has been so solid that I haven't felt like I need to hardwire anything. I bought the 3-pack and it covers my very long 1600-ish sq ft apartment.
I went with Google Wifi for the price and it paid off. I've heard great things about other systems, too.
I went with Google Wifi for the price and it paid off. I've heard great things about other systems, too.
Plus, you don't have to worry about which information of yours Google will/won't sell. Just assume all data is being utilized for targeted ads at all times.
