Q: Is it 1st or 2nd Generation Airport Extreme

AirPort Utility on your Mac will tell you what you have, or you can post back with the Model No, found on the bottom of the device.

The Model No will start with the letter "A" followed by 4 numbers.....as in Axxxx

The problem is that the A1143 model number was used for both the 1st and 2nd Gen AirPort Extreme.

The only way you will know for sure is to check using AirPort Utility.

The 1st Gen used 10/100 Ethernet ports. The 2nd Gen moved up to Gigabit Ethernet ports, 10 times faster. Other than that, they are the same product.

If the owner still has the box.. which is unlikely.. there is a part number.. they are different.

The 10/100 is MA073LL/A

The gigabit is MB053LL/A

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AirPort_Extreme

I know this is an old thread, but I had the same question, so I figured others might hit this page as well.

I eventually realized I could put the serial number from the bottom of the unit into Apple's Service and Support Coverage form. It returned back specific model info about the unit, including the fact mine was 2nd gen.

Here is a link to the form: https://selfsolve.apple.com/agreementWarrantyDynamic.do

I had the same question. While everything said here might be correct... I'll rather go to apple service and support and enter your serial number... it will show you which exact model you have.

https://checkcoverage.apple.com

Greetings.