Wi-Fi Networking – Apple’s AirPort Family
ByHistorically, Apple branded their wireless-capable kit as “AirPort”. The underlying technology, however is Wi-Fi – just as with PCs – and these days even Apple have deferred to using the generic term “wireless”. Whatever you want to call it, the end result is that Macs and PCs can connect to the same networks, and to each other. So feel free to mix things up on the same network.
Wi-Fi, also known by the less user-friendly name 802.1 1, is actually a family of slightly different standards, all of which work with each other Most recent computers can handle 802.1 1 n. This allows faster data transfer than the earlier 802.1 1 g (aka AirPort Extreme) and 802.1 1 b (aka “non-Extreme” AirPort).
Apple produces three routers – AirPort Extreme (pictured below), AirPort Express and the Time Capsule. All are wireless, nicely designed, fully featured and very easy to set up. You will, however find that Apple’s wireless hardware is more expensive than similar non-Apple devices and none of the current line-up feature their own modem – you will have to purchase one separately to use ADSL or cable broadband.
That said, there are good reasons to opt for Apple hardware, especially if you already use a Mac computer Here are a couple more features to consider when looking at Apple wireless kit:
AirTunes
Available on the AirPort Express. AirTunes allows you to connect to a hi-fi and stream music from your PC or Mac. By default it works only with iTunes, but coupled with a third-party app called Airfoil (rogueamoeba.com/airfoil). it can stream audio from any application.
Time Machine
If you have a Mac and intend to use OS X’sTme Machine to manage your backups, it’s worth considering the Time Capsule, though a similar result can be achieved with a router that can connect to a network-friendly external hard drive (also known as a NAS drive).
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