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Airport Extreme 6th Generation

I have an Airport Extreme 6th Generation (Model A1521). It still works great for my home network and the specifications are still impressive in 2022 with the exception of no 802.11ax or WPA3.


So if I were to replace it with a device with 802.11ax and WPA3, there is a confusing number of options to choose from and I'm hoping someone here can help with a few options.


What I'm looking for is something as simple and reliable as the AE 6th Gen and a utility as easy to use as Airport Utility. Could be a single or mesh device. Would need to be backward compatible because the range of devices on the network are from an iMac Late 2009 to iPhone 12 Mini with several in-between. Next year will have more WiFI ax on the network.


Any advise is appreciated. Even a reliable brand would be helpful.

iMac 27" 5K, iMac 27″

Posted on Dec 5, 2022 8:36 AM

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Dec 5, 2022 8:58 AM

Most, if not all, wireless routers offered today will be backwards compatible with your current wireless clients. As you already know, both WPA3 / 802.11ax (now called WiFi 6), is slowly being introduced starting with router manufacturers, followed by wireless client manufacturers.


Personally, I have found routers provided by either Synology or Asus to be great options for replacing aging AirPort base stations. Just note that all non-Apple routers do not use the AirPort Utility, but rely on a web-based administrator interface that you simply access with a web browser on your smart phones or computers.


To help you get started, I suggest that you check out the SmallNetBuilders site. They go through an exhaustive amount of testing/reviewing Wi-Fi routers that should help you narrow down your search.


If you have any specific question, do not hesitate to ask. FWIW, in my case, I replaced my Apple gear with those from Ubiquiti ... but this equipment is more prosumer/business grade ... so not a direct replacement.



5 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Dec 5, 2022 8:58 AM in response to Joe Gramm

Most, if not all, wireless routers offered today will be backwards compatible with your current wireless clients. As you already know, both WPA3 / 802.11ax (now called WiFi 6), is slowly being introduced starting with router manufacturers, followed by wireless client manufacturers.


Personally, I have found routers provided by either Synology or Asus to be great options for replacing aging AirPort base stations. Just note that all non-Apple routers do not use the AirPort Utility, but rely on a web-based administrator interface that you simply access with a web browser on your smart phones or computers.


To help you get started, I suggest that you check out the SmallNetBuilders site. They go through an exhaustive amount of testing/reviewing Wi-Fi routers that should help you narrow down your search.


If you have any specific question, do not hesitate to ask. FWIW, in my case, I replaced my Apple gear with those from Ubiquiti ... but this equipment is more prosumer/business grade ... so not a direct replacement.



Dec 5, 2022 10:04 AM in response to Joe Gramm

You're very welcome!


I went with the UniFi line. I did it piecemeal, starting with replacing my Linksys/Cisco Ethernet switches, then replacing one base station at a time with UniFi access points ... and, finally, my remaining "main" AirPort Extreme with a UniFi Security Gateway. Done this back starting in 2018 when Apple announced that it was getting out of the networking hardware business. The many added networking "features" that the UniFi system is "night & day" different than the simple Apple gear. Once I got fully up to speed, I would never go back.


If you have any questions, related to UniFi, just ask. You can also go to their support site forum and see what folks post there to get an idea on what you can experience. However, like this forum, most folks post when they have issues.

Dec 6, 2022 9:25 AM in response to Joe Gramm

The Asus is an excellent router. You can see how much more advanced it is vs. your Apple base station. I personally do not have any experience with this particular model, but from other Asus models I have worked with, you should find it feature-rich, and dependable.


Regardless, of which model you eventually go with, make sure you understand the vendor's return policy, just in case you are not satisfied with it. I'm sure you already know that ... just wanted to bring that up.

Airport Extreme 6th Generation

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