Can I still use the 1st generation AirPort Express (Model A1084) as network extenders with a latest model AirPort Extreme (Model ME918LL/A) as my base station? I was just going to buy up a few of these at low cost and place them all over the house to make sure my network was as amplified as possible. Thanks!
MacBook Pro with Retina display, iOS 10.3.1
Hi Jimmie,
Up until last night I was using an A1088 to stream music via AirPlay.
The major issue you'll face with this isn't nothing to do with the hardware, it's a software problem...
A few years ago, apple decided to pull the plug on support for the b/g airports. Nothing really wrong with that but what they also did is frankly abysmal.
The later releases of OSX/ airport utility will not recognize the older airports...
So even though the hardware may be perfectly functioning, you'll struggle to access the airport to update the network settings.
I had to update my wireless network settings yesterday which I knew would mean reconfiguring all of the airports.
I had an old PowerBook which I kept, and kept running an old version of OSX, specifally to maintain my older airports but that's no longer functioning either!
An hour on the phone to apple support this morning essentially resulted in them sending me a link to this support site, on which there is literally no material at all on updating older airports...
I love apple products but this is a classic example of how they make many decisions purely on the basis of profit rather than what's best for loyal customers...
If you think those older routers are cheap, you should compare the cost to other paperweights on the market!
Can I still use the 1st generation AirPort Express (Model A1084) as network extenders with a latest model AirPort Extreme (Model ME918LL/A) as my base station?
No, if you are asking about wirelessly extending the signal, since there is no setting to "extend a wireless network" on the older A1084 version of the AirPort Express.
By the way, a 1st Generation version of the AirPort Express is actually model A1264....which would be compatible with your AirPort Extreme.....as well as the current A1392 version of the Express.
Apple did not start to use the "Generation" naming until "n" wireless devices were introduced in 2008. The A1084 model, which was discontinued in 2007, is an older "b/g" wireless product, which does not even support "n" wireless.
Hi Hugoshere -
I updated my wifi which knocked my Airport Express (A1084) off the network. Since my back-up also stopped working, I was hoping I could connect manually ... if I'm understanding you correctly, that's not possible.
Is there any hope?
All insights appreciated!
Todd
AP Express A1084 Compatibility
