Is AirPort or Time Capsule worth it?

Detroit_Waves · 3 May 2012 at 14:33

Hey guys,

So I've been having issues with my router for a while now, and now I'm looking at changing it out. So I started looking at the Apple AirPort, and then, after finding out the Time Capsule has a router built in, that too. So, can anyone offer any advice as to whether it is worth picking either of these up, and if not, what I should look at instead!

lamboman · 3 May 2012 at 16:22

What are the problems with your current router?

As for the AirPort or TC, they're not the absolute, full-stop fastest routers out there, but they're definitely close. If you don't have any issues with the lack of flexibility with some of the settings, they're among the most reliable (if not the most reliable), fastest routers out there. Stick in bridge mode and you can't really complain about it! Bridge mode is more sensible as Apple use NAT-PMP instead of UPnP, which isn't broadly supported.

Worth noting just in case, but I've found Time Machine with an external drive connected to the AEBS to be sketchy at best. Sometimes it "loses" the drive and fails to remount it for backup. This is with the current firmware.

Skyboat · 3 May 2012 at 16:36

lamboman said:
If you don't have any issues with the lack of flexibility with some of the settings, they're among the most reliable (if not the most reliable), fastest routers out there.

This. Apart from some restrictions (such as a lack of any sort of QoS and other features I dearly miss from Tomato/DD-WRT) it's been by far the best router I've ever owned (and I've used a lot of the 'top' brands).

Tunney · 3 May 2012 at 20:00

They aren't cheap especially when you add in the cost of an external ADSL modem. However, my time capsule has been the most reliable router I've ever owned. Zero problems and it's happy backing up multiple machines. Worth it if you've got a lot of Apple gear.

Sgt Chubb · 4 May 2012 at 16:49

My Airport Extreme has worked fantastic for everything we connect to it, including a few Macs, an ooooold Windows Laptop, iPods and an Xbox 360 (which went from being constantly closed NAT to constantly open).

Expensive, but worth every penny. It updating its own firmware is fantastic as well, once you install an application onto the house's main machine.

Skully · 4 May 2012 at 17:20

If you have an iOS device you can update the firmware too.

Detroit_Waves · 6 May 2012 at 02:38

Its good to hear, as a router its pretty stable.

The problem I have, is that my router just isn't stable enough with my Macbook Pro. Sometimes it can't take forever to load up a single good page, if I have a couple of windows open, plus when I have my second Macbook Pro running also, the tour just panics and stops either from accessing the internet with any sort of speed, if at all!

lamboman · 6 May 2012 at 16:06

What router is it? Could be down to another issue, you never know.

LordSplodge · 6 May 2012 at 16:30

I've used an Airport Extreme for years now wit now problems. Before that I went through loads of different types. Like most Apple gear though the AE isn't for you if you're a tinkerer though. It lacks some options. However a TC is a great way to have set-and-forget backups.

Detroit_Waves · 7 May 2012 at 01:36

lamboman said:
What router is it? Could be down to another issue, you never know.

Its just a net gear thing that came from our internet provider. Ive tried everything possible that I know of, as well as opening a thread on here to try and fix it, and nothing worked unfortunately.

lamboman · 7 May 2012 at 13:05

Just had a look at your other thread. The problem is that it could be any number of issues, such as DNS servers, Wi-Fi channels, people piggy-backing on your connection (though of course, if you have sufficient wireless security this shouldn't be any issue), or any other weird setting really. It's difficult to say without knowing more.

I'd start by doing a network survey using iStumbler, which will tell you how many wireless networks there are in your area, and the channels that they are using.

Detroit_Waves · 8 May 2012 at 02:18

Yeah, that in itself is one of the biggest problems. The fact it could be any number of small problem. Ive never heard of Istumbler however, so Im downloading it now, ill put a pic up here of the results, as you may be able to gather more useful information from it than me!

lamboman · 8 May 2012 at 10:40

All that iStumbler does is look at the channels that the wireless access points in your proximity are using, as well as their signal strength, and noise. Useful to place your laptop where you usually sit with it, and fiddle about with the channels on your router until you get the strongest signal.

Detroit_Waves · 9 May 2012 at 01:21

Well here is the result, however, it makes almost no sense to me.

As for the channels, Ive tried a whole variety of them, and nothing has solved the problem.

likwid · 9 May 2012 at 09:24

Where do you live? That is a crazy amount of networks! I really know very little about networking but the sheer number could be the problem. You should ask this question in the networking forum.

lamboman · 9 May 2012 at 10:40

likwid said:
Where do you live? That is a crazy amount of networks! I really know very little about networking but the sheer number could be the problem. You should ask this question in the networking forum.

Keep in mind that this picks up all Wi-Fi signals it can, whereas your Wi-Fi menu only picks up networks that are above a certain signal strength.

Detroit_Waves, try playing around with the channels on your Netgear. Channels do overlap; IIRC 1, 6 and 11 are the ones that don't. But do have a play, you should be able to improve things.

SimonR · 9 May 2012 at 21:33

I have just finished my 10th Airport extreme install, for one of my apple clients. He has a large house and we used an Airport Express to extend his network upstairs in his bedrooms. I have to say for apple users they really are a must, especially in areas where there are a lot of other WiFi, they are really rock steady. Many of my clients like the fact they can offer a guest network without exposing their personal network. I have two more APE installs this weekend.

FreeStream · 9 May 2012 at 22:37

I've had my Airport Extreme since 2007 in 5GHz Bridge mode.

Never have I ever had an issue with it.

It has to be the most reliable piece of tech I have ever had, plus its uptime is basically 100%!

Detroit_Waves · 9 May 2012 at 23:01

likwid said:
Where do you live? That is a crazy amount of networks! I really know very little about networking but the sheer number could be the problem. You should ask this question in the networking forum.

I live in central Hollywood, which probably explains the amount of Networks.

I have asked the question previously in Networking, but to no avail. I may open a new thread there again to see, but my hopes aren't high unfortunately.

I have tried playing around with the channels previously, but nothing was able to sort it. I was referred to multiple sites with links, offering things to do, such as altering the DNS, but nothing worked at all.

lamboman · 10 May 2012 at 17:26

Detroit_Waves said:
I live in central Hollywood, which probably explains the amount of Networks.

I have asked the question previously in Networking, but to no avail. I may open a new thread there again to see, but my hopes aren't high unfortunately.

I have tried playing around with the channels previously, but nothing was able to sort it. I was referred to multiple sites with links, offering things to do, such as altering the DNS, but nothing worked at all.

Have you tried reinstalling fresh firmware? Resetting? Which model is it? Just looking at that the first channel I would try is 3, but then again, if you've tried then clearly channels aren't the problem.

Just think it's a good idea to try absolutely everything you can before moving on to something else. Unfortunately all too often people think that the router is the cause of all their problems. While this is often the case, just as often it isn't.