is the airport extreme base station a modem router?

Question

is the airport extreme base station a modem router?

that's all really, i want a good wireless modem router to replace my dodgy set up (safecom wired modem router with wireless netgear wireless router plugged in) which doesn't always work properly. i want something simple, fast and with a good range (i have some thick walls and floors to get through), i just can't find anything on the apple web site that says specifically that the airport extreme base station actually has a modem in it. so, does it? and would you recommend it? thanks for your replies.

iMac (mid 2007), Mac OS X (10.5.4), 20" 2.4 Ghz 2GB RAM - iPod Touch 16GB

Posted on Oct 23, 2008 11:50 AM

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Answer 1

Duane

Level 10

124,293 points

Oct 23, 2008 12:15 PM in response to Philippe Mion

No the AirPort Extreme base station (AEBS) does not contain any modem. It is a wireless router with USB printer sharing capabilities.

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Answer 2

Oct 23, 2008 12:29 PM in response to Philippe Mion

thanks for that, that's clear, why does apple not sell a modem router? they're so keen on slim, sleek and keen on clutter free gear, why would you want to plug this beauty into yet another thing (the modem)? anyway, thanks again, i don't think i'll bother.

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Answer 3

Duane

Level 10

124,293 points

Oct 23, 2008 12:54 PM in response to Philippe Mion

What type of modem would you include?

A 56K dial up modem? Apple used to do that. Most router users do not use dial-up.

DSL modem? Cable modem? If so, what brand of ISPs is your modem compatible with? Every ISP has a list of preferred modems which means that not all of their systems communicate in a standard way. Which means that you can't build one modem to connect to every DSL system or every cable modem system.

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Answer 4

Oct 23, 2008 1:06 PM in response to Duane

i'd include a dsl modem, i'm in the uk so i guess i can check with my isp which dsl modem they'd recommend but still, when you know that companies like netgear sell mimo modem routers, i don't see why apple doesn't.

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Answer 5

Duane

Level 10

124,293 points

Oct 23, 2008 1:27 PM in response to Philippe Mion

Netgear probably has 2 dozen or more different devices on the market. That means that they have to design/build/test/support all of those systems. That all costs money.

Apple currently sells 3 routers that adhere to international standards for Ethernet and IEEE 802.11b/g/n wireless communication. Much simpler.

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Answer 6

Oct 23, 2008 2:37 PM in response to Philippe Mion

3 routers you say, but are they modem routers?

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Answer 7

Duane

Level 10

124,293 points

Oct 23, 2008 8:37 PM in response to Philippe Mion

No, none of Apple's routers are modem routers.

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Answer 8

Oct 24, 2008 12:51 AM in response to Philippe Mion

Please send your suggestion to Apple:
http://www.apple.com/feedback/airportextreme.html
it's an old but nonetheless sensible idea.
A lot of people would like to buy an ADSL and wireless router (I mean in one box).
A lot of my users, friends and colleagues didn't buy an AEBS just because of
this missing ADSL port.
<pre>--------
don't look for my Macs models in my signature, this would be uggly... and irrelevant 🙂
--
dan</pre>

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Answer 9

Oct 24, 2008 2:39 AM in response to Duane

duane, what is your own set up then if you don't mind me asking?
same question to daniel azuelos, and what works best for you?
thanks everyone.

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