Damowhite666

Q: How long does Apple support it's routers for?

Basically. I'm looking for a new router I'd like to know how long Apple support their routers for, I know security flaws and bugs are found quite often so I'd like to know how long it's going to be before a router would stop receiving updates as I know other router manufactures out there once a router is end of life that's it no firmware updates will be available.

 

Thanks.

Posted on Feb 24, 2016 3:36 AM

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Q: How long does Apple support it's routers for?

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  • by Bob Timmons,

    Bob Timmons Bob Timmons Feb 24, 2016 6:25 AM in response to Damowhite666
    Level 10 (105,003 points)
    Wireless
    Feb 24, 2016 6:25 AM in response to Damowhite666

    In general, Apple will offer support for 5-7 years after a product is discontinued.  But, they may not offer any firmware updates at all once a product is discontinued.

     

    For example, the 5th Generation AirPort Extreme was discontinued in June 2013. There have been no firmware updates for the product since that time.

     

    As far as security flaws and bugs......it is not usually the router that is the problem......it is almost always the operating system of the computer.

  • by Damowhite666,

    Damowhite666 Damowhite666 Feb 24, 2016 6:35 AM in response to Bob Timmons
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Notebooks
    Feb 24, 2016 6:35 AM in response to Bob Timmons

    "Apple will offer support" Assuming you mean technical support?


    I was thinking of vulnerabilities within the router firmware rather than the operating system of a PC and it's running operating system.


    https://www.cvedetails.com/vulnerability-list/vendor_id-49/product_id-4933/Apple -Airport-Extreme.html


    I wouldn't want a router that's only a few years old that no longer receives firmware updates because of the above.


    Thank you for your response.

  • by Bob Timmons,

    Bob Timmons Bob Timmons Feb 24, 2016 6:47 AM in response to Damowhite666
    Level 10 (105,003 points)
    Wireless
    Feb 24, 2016 6:47 AM in response to Damowhite666
    "Apple will offer support" Assuming you mean technical support?

    Yes, for a price after the 90 day "free" period ends after you purchase the product.

     

    wouldn't want a router that's only a few years old that no longer receives firmware updates because of the above.

    You might be able to find a manufacturer that offers firmware updates after a product is discontinued, but off hand, I can't think of one unless you want to look at professional products designed for business applications.  Cisco is worth a look in that regard.

  • by Bob Timmons,Solvedanswer

    Bob Timmons Bob Timmons Feb 24, 2016 9:02 AM in response to Damowhite666
    Level 10 (105,003 points)
    Wireless
    Feb 24, 2016 9:02 AM in response to Damowhite666

    Firmware updates for a product do not always end when the model is discontinued.  For example, say you bought a 2nd Generation AirPort Extreme in 2008, and it was discontinued in 2009.  Apple continued to offer firmware updates for this product up until June 2013.  Not bad.

     

    So, it's just not possible to accurately predict what Apple might do in the future with any given product.

  • by Damowhite666,

    Damowhite666 Damowhite666 Feb 25, 2016 12:24 AM in response to Bob Timmons
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Notebooks
    Feb 25, 2016 12:24 AM in response to Bob Timmons

    Interesting...

     

    Thanks for that.