How to set up latest Airport Extreme with option from Utility v5.6.1?

Question

How to set up latest Airport Extreme with option from Utility v5.6.1?

Hi @ all,

I just purchased two Airport Extreme Basestations (the towers) for replacing

my currenty 5th gen Airport Extreme Basestations. I knew already for a while,

that the Airport Utility v6.3.x, compared to Utility v5.6.x, lacks a huge amount

of VERY useful and important features. However, I was not aware, that there's

no Airport Utility, i.e. for Windows or older OSX Versions, which will support

them generally with their new specific hardware (in my case: 802.11ac settings).

In Airport Utility v5.6.x you were able to get a broader selection of Band/Protocol

combinations, when pressing the ALT-key before clicking on the selector.

In Utility v6.3.x you even do NOT get ANY selection at all!!!????

Hello?? Apple?? Sure, the Airport Utility 6.3.x (or 1.3 on iOS), is REALLY held

very easy for people, who don't usually understand those technologies but are

put into the position, to set them up easily. BUT: There are ALSO very experienced

people out there, who NEED more options!! And: The lack of those options doesn't

even make sense, since the hardware DOES offer this varieties of options?!!

Why not offering an "Advanced User Mode" in those Utilities?

So here's my question: Is there ANY chance, to set up my new "towers" with more

options, than the current Airport Utilities do offer?

Thanks in advance,

Frank

Posted on Apr 17, 2014 2:43 AM

Reply

Answer 1

Apr 17, 2014 6:11 AM in response to Frank Dopierala

If you try to set up the new AirPort Extreme with AirPort Utility 5.6.1, you will receive a notice that you need a more up to date version of AirPort Utility.

Nevertheless, AP 5.6.1 will allow you to set up the basics....wireless network name, password, etc.

It will appear that you can change other settings that are not found in more recent versions of AirPort Utility, but if you go in and check using a newer version of AirPort Utility, you will find that the settings that you thought you had made have not "stuck".

For example, you want to change the Radio Mode on the new Extreme and not use the Automatic setting. AP 5.6.1 will appear to let you do this. But, if you check the setting using a more recent version of AirPort Utility you will see that the setting is still set at "Automatic".

So, the bottom line here is that unless the newer version of AirPort Utility has the specific setting that you want to change, you will not be able to make that change.