Jo Ann Meyer

Q: Wireless routers that work with OS 10.9.4, besides Airport?

I got a Linksys router but it does not support Maverick OS. Besides buying an Airport, are there other routers out there that will work with this OS 10.9.4?

MacBook Pro (15-inch Early 2011), OS X Mavericks (10.9.1)

Posted on Aug 3, 2014 8:26 AM

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Q: Wireless routers that work with OS 10.9.4, besides Airport?

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  • by BobHarris,

    BobHarris BobHarris Aug 3, 2014 9:14 AM in response to Jo Ann Meyer
    Level 6 (19,479 points)
    Mac OS X
    Aug 3, 2014 9:14 AM in response to Jo Ann Meyer

    The Linksys should work just fine.  So will most WiFi routers.

     

    So please describe what problem you are seeing.

     

    NOTE:  The WiFi security should be set to WPA2 personal (that is to say not enterprise).  I would surprised if it does not have WPA2, but if not, then WPA, but NOT WEP, as WEP is easily compromised.  Also WEP is a pain because password encryption standards were never set for WEP so Apple did it one way, and everyone else did it Microsoft's way.

     

    If you want an open network, you could go with no WiFi security, but that is not really a good idea, except maybe to do debugging.

  • by CT,

    CT CT Aug 3, 2014 9:18 AM in response to Jo Ann Meyer
    Level 6 (17,882 points)
    Notebooks
    Aug 3, 2014 9:18 AM in response to Jo Ann Meyer

    Just to confirm:  I have an ancient POS Linksys.  It's been working just fine for years and is currently routing for 3 Mavericks machines.

  • by Raicya,

    Raicya Raicya Aug 3, 2014 9:36 AM in response to Jo Ann Meyer
    Level 3 (874 points)
    iPad
    Aug 3, 2014 9:36 AM in response to Jo Ann Meyer

    I use a Linksys router WRT320N bought -in 2010- for my Windows computer and last year bought an iMac, the Linksys router work perfectly with my iMac.

    What kind of problem do you have with the Linksys router?

  • by Jo Ann Meyer,

    Jo Ann Meyer Jo Ann Meyer Aug 3, 2014 11:46 AM in response to BobHarris
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Aug 3, 2014 11:46 AM in response to BobHarris

    Thank you for you information. I just bought a Linksys N600, model E2500-NP to replace my 2007 Belkin. When I tried to install it, got message that it was not compatible with Maverick OS. Went to support site and it was like a catch 22 trying to find out what model would support that OS.  The Lion and Mountain Lion were mentioned but other than the non-compatible message I got when trying to install it, never got an answer. Hence my question. I am probably going to have to go with the expensive Airport extreme.

  • by Jo Ann Meyer,

    Jo Ann Meyer Jo Ann Meyer Aug 3, 2014 11:46 AM in response to CT
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Aug 3, 2014 11:46 AM in response to CT

    Thanks, Please see reply to Bob Harris, above.

  • by Jo Ann Meyer,

    Jo Ann Meyer Jo Ann Meyer Aug 3, 2014 11:47 AM in response to Raicya
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Aug 3, 2014 11:47 AM in response to Raicya

    Thanks, please see my reply to Bob Harris, above.

  • by CT,

    CT CT Aug 3, 2014 12:12 PM in response to Jo Ann Meyer
    Level 6 (17,882 points)
    Notebooks
    Aug 3, 2014 12:12 PM in response to Jo Ann Meyer

    It sounds as if you are trying to install some software which came with the router. If so... That should not be necessary and, although I'm making a gross generalization, it is rarely a good idea to install such stuff bundled with a third party device.

  • by Jo Ann Meyer,

    Jo Ann Meyer Jo Ann Meyer Aug 3, 2014 1:55 PM in response to CT
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Aug 3, 2014 1:55 PM in response to CT

    Thanks, the only instructions for set up were to insert the cd in my computer and then I could go no further. I just returned that router and bought a Netgear Smart Wifi router (R6250) and have set it up with no problem. More expensive but still less than Airport. Did it all wirelessly. I need these things to be smarter than me and this one seems to be. Although not completely clueless about computers, I am medium clueless. Thanks again.

  • by BobHarris,

    BobHarris BobHarris Aug 3, 2014 2:06 PM in response to Jo Ann Meyer
    Level 6 (19,479 points)
    Mac OS X
    Aug 3, 2014 2:06 PM in response to Jo Ann Meyer

    For future reference, most routers allow you to use your web browser to connect to the router's local area network IP address (often 192.168.1.1, or very close to that), then enter the admin username and admin password to configure the router (Apple routers are the exception, where you must use their Airport Utility from a Mac or an iPhone/iPad/iPod Touch).

     

    Generally the default IP address to use, the admin name and admin password are provided in the written documentation (easy to miss, as it can all be said in a single short paragraph), or knowing the make and model, Google will often find the defaults for just about any router (again excluding Apple routers).

     

    Since you are up and running, chances are you will not need this information for several years, and by that time, things may change, or you might use this information to help a neighbor

  • by Roger Wilmut1,

    Roger Wilmut1 Roger Wilmut1 Aug 3, 2014 2:11 PM in response to CT
    Level 9 (78,228 points)
    iTunes
    Aug 3, 2014 2:11 PM in response to CT

    CT wrote:

     

    It sounds as if you are trying to install some software which came with the router. If so... That should not be necessary and, although I'm making a gross generalization, it is rarely a good idea to install such stuff bundled with a third party device.

    Unlike many routers (including some Linksys models) this one apparently cannot be set up using a locally generated web page and a browser: it requires its own setup software either off the CD or downloaded - hence the incompatibility. Anyone looking to buy a non-Apple router should check that it uses browser setup as proprietary software is very likely to cause problems (even assuming that there is an OSX version).

  • by CT,

    CT CT Aug 3, 2014 2:42 PM in response to Roger Wilmut1
    Level 6 (17,882 points)
    Notebooks
    Aug 3, 2014 2:42 PM in response to Roger Wilmut1

    Thanks for the clarification.  I had a look at the linksys documentation for this router. While it does seem possible to configure the thing using one's browser, it certainly appears they intend the typical user to use the configuration software. The browser-based strategy is kind of buried in the documentation, and the configuration software - if it only worked! - looks to be much easier. Anyway, it's no longer an issue for the OP, but it's educational for me!

  • by BobTheFisherman,

    BobTheFisherman BobTheFisherman Aug 3, 2014 2:54 PM in response to Jo Ann Meyer
    Level 6 (15,371 points)
    Aug 3, 2014 2:54 PM in response to Jo Ann Meyer

    All consumer level routers will work and are OS agnostic. What may not work is the unnecessary software. Follow the instructions for setting up the router manually.

  • by Randy M.,

    Randy M. Randy M. Aug 16, 2014 10:21 AM in response to Jo Ann Meyer
    Level 1 (9 points)
    Aug 16, 2014 10:21 AM in response to Jo Ann Meyer

    It is actually the instillation software that wont work.  So what I can make from it all is what Bob says is true, IF it was installed.  The problem we all seem to be having is the installation software is not Maverick compatable so we can't get to the point where it would work fine as a secured network.  Several other sites have voiced openions similar to the above and that is what I had to conclude and the experience I had.  I am going to take it back and try another brand, the problem there is short of knowing who supports Maverick, I fear it will be trial and error to and from the store as they all say (including Linksys) "10._ and higher" on the box.

  • by BobHarris,

    BobHarris BobHarris Aug 16, 2014 7:02 PM in response to Randy M.
    Level 6 (19,479 points)
    Mac OS X
    Aug 16, 2014 7:02 PM in response to Randy M.

    I fear it will be trial and error to and from the store as they all say (including Linksys) "10._ and higher" on the box.

    Keep in mind that may non-Apple routers can be configures without any installed software (even those that offer configuration software), by just using any browser to connect to the router's IP address (often 192.168.1.1) and logging in with the Default admin username and admin password of the router (which is often described in the router's documentation, and if not, can very often be found Googling with the router make and model number; I've done this myself).

     

    So while the provided wizard software may not work, often times it is very possible to use a browser to configure the router.

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