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Apple's New, Improved Airport
timbck2 writes: "Apple has just released a new and greatly improved version of their Airport 802.11b wireless network access point, with better WEP encryption (128-bit now instead of 40-bit), better non-Mac PC integration, and a new LAN connection port. Here are the tech specs." An anonymous reader pointed to Apple's rather bland press release as well. This is a good upgrade to the Airport, with thanks probably due in part to companies like Linksys who are making much less expensive 802.11 base stations (which work great with Airport cards, too), though lacking a modem.
Since PC stands for Personal Computer, a Mac still qualifies as a PC.
InstantCool
yes
They have done more than add 128 bits WEP. 128 bits WEP is still easy to crack.
But Apple has added Radius and a firewall too. See their FAQ at http://www.apple.com/airport/faq/.
I think some of you are really tooooo far into geekdom.
When one says "PC" is the Mac the first thing to pop into your mind? Not for me... I think in terms of two classifications for desktop machines (as does the general non-Slashdot public in my estimation):
1) PC - Anything running Windows, Unix, Linux, etc... The "beige-box" desktop computer.
2) Mac - Anything Apple.
A group of AT&T researchers broke WEP security (even the 128 bit version). See paper here. They recommend treating 802.11 connections as open and using things like SSL and SSH to protect sensitive data.
[Insert pithy quote here]
here
that link is very long, not sure if it will be good.
I went into there knowledge base and found mac support.
The Kruger Dunning explains most post on
No probably. Read the FAQ, natch. :^)
http://www.apple.com/airport/faq/
Q: Why didn't AOL work with AirPort before?
A: AOL has a unique login protocol, which kept AirPort from being able to establish an AOL connection. Working together, Apple and AOL have devised a method to allow AOL customers to use AirPort. In fact, AirPort is currently the only wireless solution that works with AOL.
It's all 0s and 1s. Or it's not.
Here is a great site with all the info on modifying your base station for extended range.
I am surprised that they did not apply the 802.11a standard that some other base station makers have recently announced for increased bandwidth over the wireless portion of the LAN. Oh well, I'll just have to wait...
802.11a isn't something you just "apply." It is a different range of spectrum entirely (5 GHz, not 2.5 GHz), requiring a totally new RF design.
Just so everyone knows, Apple gets their wireless LAN stuff from Agere Systems (ORiNOCO). Oh, and here is a little press release too.
Actually, they do support ethernet-ethernet wireless bridging. I have a Win box, a linux box and a Powerbook all hooked up to the base station with a cheap 8 port router and it works a treat. I use it to do my NAT. Also will serve DHCP too. What bothers me is that they don't have a DNS server in the box. That would make it much more useful. I have to use my ADSL modem to do that.
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Configuration is done via a built-in web server. NAT, firewall that you can punch holes in as needed, DMZ, MAC filtering, 128-bit WEP, 3 10/100 downlink, one 10/100 uplink, printer server, and a port to plug in a modem (I don't know what protocols it supports over the modem, though). It can route AppleTalk, and you can install firmware upgrades from any computer (you just upload a file via your web browser).
It cost $199, about $100 less than the Airport Base Station. The new base station has some excellent features (AOL, better network config stuff), but I'm not regreting my choice at all.
-jon
Remember Amalek.
From Apples website: AirPort 2.0 software
Compatible with all versions of AirPort Cards and Base Stations, AirPort 2.0 software brings enhanced features to AirPort wireless networks. AirPort 2.0 software can upgrade original AirPort Cards to support 128-bit encryption (encryption for original AirPort Base Stations will remain 40-bit). Software Update will auto install AirPort 2.0.
Basically, as I remember from a briefing, I think you get all the new features except the 128 bit encryption. Which makes sense, but should also be relatively easy to get around with an Orinocco gold card transplant.
http://www.apple.com/airport/
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Well, I was wondering that too, but in the tech specs it states that you still need at least one Mac around to set up the base station. So without software to set it up from a PC, I'd say they're not really marketing to the PC-only crowd just yet.
(from http://www.apple.com/airport/specs.html)System Requirements
For PC users
It seems a lot of folks are misunderstanding the new AOL support. You see, the AirPort also has an internal modem for those without broadband. Previously, the modem could only be used to dial into a PPP account. With version 2.0 of the AirPort software, it can dial into an AOL account for Internet access (i.e., it now has a version of AOL's proprietary software in its firmware). This is not a feature that most geeks will notice, as we'll be using the AirPort's ethernet interface with our broadband connections and *maybe* the modem for PPP backup. But for those that get their Internet access via an AOL dialup, and would like to share it with their 802.11 equiped machines via NAT/DHCP, this is godsend.
Linksys really is ass on a stick though. They don't guarantee anything beyond the ability to route HTTP, and all that I have seen from them has been finicky and kept rather short uptimes.
How would this differ than just using AOL over a standard TCP/IP connection? My LinkSys cable/DSl 4 port gateway/router lets me connect to AOL just fine. I just have my AOL client set to use TCP/IP instead of a dialup connection.
The difference is that the Airport can dial-in to AOL to login, while your use is over TCP/IP.
--Dan
"Delivers improvements for many USB and FireWire devices, including support for additional digital cameras, and overall improvements to CD and DVD burning. Enhancements have been made to AFP, SMB, and WebDAV networking, as well as improved support for printing. This update also delivers better application compatibility, including updates to the Finder and Mail application. In addition, hardware accelerated video mirroring has been enabled for the new PowerBook G4."
You can automatically get and install it through the "Software Update" control panel.
LEAP is apparently a good enough add-on to 128-bit WEP that Cisco uses it on their internal network. As I understand it, LEAP constantly changes the WEP key, which prevents it from staying constant long enough to be decoded through a sniffer attack.
Unfortunately, this is only Cisco LEAP client support, so only the AirPort cards inside Macs and Powerbooks will be able to benefit from this, and not the base stations.
#naabhaprzrag, #sverubfr-000, #agi-fcbafberq, negvpyr[pynff*=' negvpyr-ary-'] { qvfcynl: abar !vzcbegnag; }
Intel and Dell are both offering a router that is easily configurable via http and doesn't require proprietary software to be installed. It also has a "firewall", two RJ45 ports, etc.
And it's only $289 from Dell.
Apple was first to the wireless market with affordable bases by a year, and first with laptops that had built-in antennae for even longer.
- Vincit qui patitur.
The tech at the Apple Store was surprised to learn that that nugget of info had been omitted from the website.
Scott
"Hokey religions and ancient weapons are no match for a good blaster at your side, kid."