AirPort

AirPort is the registered brand name for Apple on the wireless network technology (see Wireless LAN) products based on the IEEE 802.11 DSSS standard, such as AirPort Extreme or Time Capsule. In Japan, the name " AirPort " has already been registered by IO DATA, which is why Apple affected products sold there under the name " AirMac ".

• 2.1 AirPlay
• 2.2 NAS

All AirPort base stations act as a wireless router. They are compatible with all Wi-Fi -enabled computers.

The AirPort base station of the first generation was based on a shrunken 486 - processor in conjunction with an AirPort card. It contained a modem and an Ethernet port. A later version came in White ( " Snow" ) instead of gray, had a second Ethernet port, and contained a PowerPC 860 processor. This AirPort generation transmits only IEEE 802.11b.

The AirPort Extreme Base Station replaced the first generation in January 2003, enabling transmission speeds of 54 Mbit / s Depending on the version, it is equipped with a built-in modem and an external antenna port, all versions also feature a USB port to which a printer on the network can be operated independently from other computers or printer servers via the Bonjour protocol. There is also a version with power over Ethernet.

Apple had to take from the European market in the summer of 2006, this AirPort Extreme Base Station. You violated the Directive 2002/95/EC (RoHS ) on the prohibition of certain substances in the manufacture and processing of electrical and electronic equipment and components.

On 9 January 2007, a completely new model was presented. It features a USB 2.0 port and three Ethernet ports (initially 100 Mbit, 1 Gbit later ). The USB port can also be used in addition to printers, to include a USB hard drive as a NAS (Network Attached Storage). Using a USB hub can be connected several devices. The station supports the new WLAN standard 802.11n, and can be operated in addition to the 2.4 - GHz frequency range in the 5 GHz frequency range. It also supports WPA2 encryption, closes the vulnerabilities of the EPA standards. This model is backward compatible and also supports the older wireless 802.11b / g and the WEP and WPA encryption. A presented in March 2009, the new version supports dual-band mode, ie it can be operated in the 2.4 GHz frequency range and in the 5 GHz frequency range at the same time. Improved antennas are built in October 2009 devices to improve range and throughput. All devices of the AirPort Extreme in 2007 and the following have no external antenna connection.

AirPort Express is the smallest and most affordable AirPort Base Station. It offers guests a RJ45 Ethernet port and USB port ( only for printers ) as the only Apple base station also has a 3.5 mm stereo audio analog connection for a stereo. This makes it possible to stream audio via AirPlay (interface) on the local network to the Airport Express base station. This connection is combined with an optical TOSLINK output for digital audio. AirPort Express uses the Wi-Fi 802.11a/b/g (since March 17, 2008 and IEEE 802.11n) and supports the more modern WPA and WPA2 encryption methods nor the WEP encryption.

AirPort Time Capsule is an AirPort Extreme Base Station ( 802.11ac ) with integrated hard disk. She works with Time Machine, a backup program that is 10.5 part of the operating system since Mac OS X. The USB port can be used for either another hard drive or a printer. The two currently available versions of the fifth generation differ in the hard disk drive capacity (2 TB ( ME177LL / A ) and 3 TB (part ME182LL / A).

Unlike routers from other manufacturers the device (as well as all other Apple router) can be configured only with the supplied software from Apple AirPort Utility. A web interface to configure the device does not exist. AirPort Utility exists for Mac OS, iOS and Windows. A configuration of Time Capsule on Linux is not possible.

The device can simultaneously be used as a NAS. The built -in HDD is on each router connected network participants. The protection against unauthorized use are made through the assignment of a password or by means of user accounts. If you connect to the Time Capsule via USB hard drives to further, these are also secured via the same password or user account.

The first generation (2008 ) of the Time Capsule was able to use Wi-Fi for either the 2.4 GHz band or the 5 GHz band. Since the second generation (March 2009) supports the dual-band Time Capsule, so that the simultaneous use, for example, an iPod Touch ( 2.4 GHz) wireless data traffic with the MacBook (5.0 GHz) does not slow down. Outwardly, the two devices are indistinguishable except for the nameplate with dual band. The second generation can preserve the new features of the AirPort Utility use ( inter alia separate guest - Fi and iCloud internet login option). Since the 5th generation Time Capsule supports the IEEE 802.11 ac draft, analogous to the Airport Extreme the 6th generation. The housing design has fundamentally changed (standing instead of lying).

Applications

The base stations AirPort Extreme and AirPort Express can be used to

• Provide a Wi-Fi connection (using NAT). For this purpose, a DSL or cable modem is plugged into the Ethernet port.
• Provide a USB printer over Wi-Fi or Ethernet
• Provide one or more USB hard drives via WLAN or Ethernet ( AirPort Extreme )
• Establish a bridge between WLAN and Ethernet and around
• By WDS to extend the range of a WLAN.

AirPlay

In addition, can be played back via AirPort Express wirelessly sound from iTunes on the hi-fi (or powered speakers). In this formerly AirTunes, AirPlay now mentioned method, the music from iTunes via the AirPort Express station (or Apple TV ) via WLAN is streamed. The stereo system is connected via a TOSLINK input or analog phone jack on the AirPort Express station. On the base station side, a mini- Toslink connector or adapter may be required.

In iTunes, AirPort Express station can be selected as a speaker. While AirPlay could be used only on iTunes earlier as its predecessor AirTunes, it has become an integral part of the operating systems iOS and OS X. On iOS, is there no sound when playing video in sync on OS X only when playing through the native framework ( eg. via QuickTime, DVD Player or HTML5 video ). Third-party software (eg VLC) set the tone on the AirPort delayed by a few seconds.

NAS

With AirPort Extreme, the user can integrate a USB hard drive as a NAS (Network Attached Storage). Apple calls this function AirPort Disk on the hard disk can over the network using the Windows network share (SMB ) can be accessed. If the hard drive with Apple's own file system HFS formatted, its benefits can be used over the network using AFP.

Although the AirPort Extreme router has only a USB port, however, multiple printers and hard disks can be connected simultaneously via a USB hub. Since the USB2.0 specification defines a maximum current of 500 mA, the pick-up input of an external USB 2.0 hard drive ( also 5400rpm ) exceeds this value. It is therefore necessary to have an USB hard drive with power supply needed.

In addition, the built- in Time Capsule can be used to backup with Time Machine. Previously, you could also be accessed via a MobileMe membership from the Internet to the AirPort disk or Time Capsule. Even under iCloud allows access with "Back to my Mac ".

The built- in many Apple computers AirPort card is a simple wireless card. It supports the recognized industry standard IEEE 802.11b and IEEE 802.11g ( newer cards also IEEE 802.11n ), and thus supports a data transfer rate of up to 54 Mbit / s ( IEEE 802.11b / g and up to 2.5 times faster data transfer when IEEE 802.11n) as well as a WEP encryption up to 128 bit and WPA and WPA2.

AirPort was introduced with the iBooks the first generation. With a base station could go via wireless network to the Internet. This required an AirPort card can be installed. The necessary antennas were integrated as standard from the iBook.

Criticism

In the first generation Time Capsule accumulated from mid-2009 reports on prematurely broken " Time Capsule " units, where the power supply has reportedly failed due to heat early. The website "The Apple Time Capsule Memorial Register" contains a list of defective units and their serial numbers and background knowledge. The operator of the site take since February 15, 2010 at no more messages after, the suspicion of systematic manufacturing error. On June 12, 2010, Apple announced a general recall program is known in which units were also repaired or replaced free of charge, in which the legal guarantee period had already expired. If repair costs are incurred prior to the announcement of the recall program, they will be reimbursed.