View source for AirPort

{{Short description|Discontinued line of products by Apple Inc}}
{{distinguish|text=an [[airport]], a building used for air travel}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=October 2013}}
{{Infobox Computer
| name = AirPort
| developer = [[Apple Inc.]]
| type = Wireless base stations and cards
| logo = Connectwaves 20070109.png
| photo = Early AirPort (2364225930).jpg
| caption = First three AirPort Base Station models, including the AirPort Extreme to the right
| first_release_date = 1999
| discontinuation_date = 2018
| processor = 
| baseprice = 
}}
'''AirPort''' is a discontinued line of [[Wireless router|wireless routers]] and [[Network interface controller|network cards]] developed by [[Apple Inc.]] using [[Wi-Fi]] [[Communication protocol|protocols]]. In [[Japan]], the line of products was marketed under the brand '''AirMac''' due to previous registration by I-O Data.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.iodata.jp/prod/network/wnlan/2004/wn-apga/index.htm |title=Wn-Apg/A |publisher=Iodata.jp |date=September 15, 2006 |access-date=2021-10-07 |archive-date=June 7, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170607111444/http://www.iodata.jp/prod/network/wnlan/2004/wn-apga/index.htm |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url= http://apple.com/jp/airmacexpress|title= アップル – AirMac Express|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130104144207/http://www.apple.com/jp/airmacexpress/|archive-date=2013-01-04 |work=Apple, Inc.}}</ref>

Apple introduced the AirPort line in 1999. Wireless cards were discontinued in 2009 following the [[Mac transition to Intel processors]], after all of Apple's Mac products had adopted built-in Wi-Fi. Apple's line of wireless routers consisted of the AirPort Base Station (later [[AirPort Extreme]]); the [[AirPort Time Capsule]], a variant with a built-in hard disk for automated backups; and the [[AirPort Express]], a compact router.

In 2018, Apple discontinued the AirPort line. The remaining inventory was sold off, and Apple later sold routers from [[Linksys]], [[Netgear]], [[Ubiquiti|Amplifi]] and [[Amazon (company)|Eero]] in Apple retail stores.<ref name="apple-airport-cancellation">[https://9to5mac.com/2018/04/26/apple-airport-cancellation/ Apple officially discontinues AirPort router line, no plans for future hardware]</ref>

==Overview==
AirPort debuted in 1999, as [[Stevenote#"One more thing..."|"one more thing"]] at [[Macworld]] New York, with [[Steve Jobs]] surfing the web on an [[iBook]] using wireless internet technology for the very first time in a public demo of an Apple laptop. The initial offering consisted of an optional expansion card for Apple's new line of [[iBook]] notebooks and an AirPort Base Station. The AirPort card (a repackaged Lucent [[ORiNOCO]] Gold Card [[PC Card]] adapter) was later added as an option for almost all of Apple's product line, including [[PowerBook]]s, [[eMac]]s, [[iMac]]s, and [[Power Macintosh|Power Mac]]s. Only [[Xserve]]s did not have it as a standard or optional feature. The original AirPort system allowed transfer rates up to 11&nbsp;[[Mbit/s]] and was commonly used to share Internet access and files between multiple computers.

In 2003, Apple introduced '''[[AirPort Extreme]]''', based on the [[IEEE 802.11g-2003|802.11g]] specification, using Broadcom's BCM4306/BCM2050 two-chip solution. AirPort Extreme allows theoretical peak data transfer rates of up to 54&nbsp;Mbit/s, and is fully backward-compatible with existing [[IEEE 802.11b-1999|802.11b]] wireless network cards and [[wireless access point|base stations]]. Several of Apple's desktop computers and portable computers, including the [[MacBook Pro]], [[MacBook]], [[Mac Mini]], and [[iMac]] shipped with an AirPort Extreme (802.11g) card as standard. All other [[Macintosh|Macs]] of the time had an expansion slot for the card. AirPort and AirPort Extreme cards are not physically compatible: AirPort Extreme cards cannot be installed in older Macs, and AirPort cards cannot be installed in newer Macs. The original AirPort card was discontinued in June 2004.

In 2004, Apple released the '''[[AirPort Express]]''' base station as a "[[Swiss Army knife]]" multifunction product. It can be used as a portable travel router, using the same AC connectors as on Apple's AC adapters; as an audio streaming device, with both line-level and optical audio outputs; and as a USB printer sharing device, through its USB host port.

In 2007, Apple unveiled a new '''AirPort Extreme (802.11 Draft-N) Base Station''', which introduced 802.11 Draft-N to the Apple AirPort product line. This implementation of 802.11 Draft-N can operate in both the 2.4&nbsp;GHz and 5&nbsp;GHz ISM bands, and has modes that make it compatible with 802.11b/g and 802.11a. The number of Ethernet ports was increased to four—one nominally for WAN, three for LAN, but all can be used in bridged mode. A USB port was included for printers and other USB devices. The Ethernet ports were later updated to Gigabit Ethernet on all ports. The styling is similar to that of the [[Mac Mini]] and [[Apple TV (device)|Apple TV]].<ref name="apextreme-2007">{{cite web |url=https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2007/01/09Apple-Introduces-New-AirPort-Extreme-with-802-11n/ |title=Apple Introduces New AirPort Extreme with 802.11n |date=January 9, 2007 |publisher=Apple }}</ref>

In January 2008, Apple introduced '''[[AirPort Time Capsule|Time Capsule]]''', an AirPort Extreme (802.11 Draft-N) with an internal hard drive. The device includes software to allow any computer running a reasonably recent version of Mac OS or Windows to access the disk as a shared volume. Macs running Mac OS X 10.5 and later, which includes the Time Machine feature, can use the Time Capsule as a wireless backup device, allowing automatic, untethered backups of the client computer. As an access point, the unit is otherwise equivalent to an AirPort Extreme (802.11 Draft-N), with four Gigabit Ethernet ports and a USB port for printer and disk sharing.

In March 2008, Apple released an updated '''AirPort Express Base Station''' with 802.11 Draft-N 2x2 radio. All other features (analog and digital optical audio out, single Ethernet port, USB port for printer sharing) remained the same. At the time, it was the least expensive ($99) device to handle both frequency bands (2.4&nbsp;GHz and 5&nbsp;GHz) in 2x2 802.11 Draft-N.<ref>{{cite web|last=Fleishman |first=Glenn |url=http://db.tidbits.com/article/9506 |title=AirPort Express Base Station (Early 2008) – Technical Specifications |publisher=Db.tidbits.com |date=March 10, 2008 |access-date=2021-10-07}}</ref>

In March 2009, Apple unveiled '''AirPort Extreme''' and '''Time Capsule''' products with simultaneous dual-band 802.11 Draft-N radios. This allows full 802.11 Draft-N 2x2 communication in both 802.11 Draft-N bands at the same time.<ref name="support.apple.com">{{cite web|url=http://support.apple.com/kb/SP20 |title=AirPort Extreme Base Station (802.11 Draft-N) – Technical Specifications |publisher=Support.apple.com |date=June 14, 2011 |access-date=2021-10-07}}</ref>

In October 2009, Apple unveiled the updated AirPort Extreme and Time Capsule products with antenna improvements (the 5.8&nbsp;GHz model).

In 2011, Apple unveiled an updated AirPort Extreme base station, referred to as '''AirPort Extreme 802.11n (5th Generation)'''.<ref name="AirPort Extreme Setup Guide">{{cite web|url=http://manuals.info.apple.com/en_US/airport_extreme_5th_gen_setup.pdf |title=AirPort Extreme Setup Guide |access-date=2021-10-07}}</ref> The latest AirPort base stations and cards work with third-party [[wireless access point|base stations]] and wireless cards that conformed to the 802.11a, 802.11b, 802.11g, 802.11 Draft-N, and 802.11 Final-N networking standards. It was not uncommon to see wireless networks composed of several types of AirPort base station serving old and new Macintosh, [[Microsoft Windows]], and [[Linux]] systems. Apple's software drivers for AirPort Extreme also supported some Broadcom and Atheros-based PCI Wireless adapters when fitted to [[Power Macintosh|Power Mac]] computers. Due to the developing nature of Draft-N hardware, there was no assurance that the new model would work with all 802.11 Draft-N routers and access devices from other manufacturers.

===Discontinuation===
In approximately 2016, Apple disbanded its wireless router team.<ref name="Mark Gurman, Bloomberg 2016.11.21">{{cite news |last1=Gurman |first1=Mark |title=Apple Abandons Development of Wireless Routers |url=https://www.bloombergquint.com/technology/apple-said-to-abandon-development-of-wireless-routers-ivs0ssec |access-date=2021-10-07 |publisher=Bloomberg News |date=21 Nov 2016 |archive-date=October 6, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211006133135/https://www.bloombergquint.com/technology/apple-said-to-abandon-development-of-wireless-routers-ivs0ssec |url-status=dead }}</ref> In 2018, Apple formally discontinued all of its AirPort products, exiting the router market.<ref name="Mark Gurman, Bloomberg 2018.04.26: official discontinuation">{{cite news |last1=Gurman |first1=Mark |title=Apple Officially Discontinues Its AirPort Wireless Routers |url=https://www.bloombergquint.com/onweb/apple-officially-discontinues-its-airport-wireless-routers |access-date=2021-10-07 |publisher=Bloomberg News |date=26 Apr 2018 |archive-date=October 6, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211006200713/https://www.bloombergquint.com/onweb/apple-officially-discontinues-its-airport-wireless-routers |url-status=dead }}</ref> ''Bloomberg News'' noted that "Apple rarely discontinues product categories"<ref name="Mark Gurman, Bloomberg 2018.04.26: official discontinuation" /> and that its decision to leave the business was "a boon for other wireless router makers."<ref name="Mark Gurman, Bloomberg 2016.11.21" />

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|+ Overview of AirPort (AirMac)-branded products
|-
! Family brand
! Image
! Functions
! Introduced / Discontinued
|-
! Card
| [[File:Apple_AirPort_7877.jpg|alt= Card not Base Station|125px]]
| style="text-align:left;" | Adds wireless networking interface to Macintosh personal computers
| 1999–2005
|-
! Base Station
| [[File:Minns du? Apple AirPort m 1999. Jag har tre (Graphite), kan sälja två om någon samlar. (14243015299).jpg|125px]]
| style="text-align:left;" | Wireless networking switch and internet router
| 1999–2003
|-
! Extreme
| [[File:Airport Extreme Base Station - 08 (14496189685).jpg|125px]]
| style="text-align:left;" | Wireless networking switch and internet router; USB print server. Later (square-shaped) versions added network-attached USB storage & backup.
| 2003–2018
|-
! Express
| [[File:Apple Airport Express.jpg|125px]]
| style="text-align:left;" | Wireless networking switch, access point, bridge; internet router; USB print server; streaming audio receiver
| 2004–2018
|-
! Time Capsule
| [[File:Appletimecapsule.jpg|125px]]
| style="text-align:left;" | Network-attached backup storage, wireless networking switch, and internet router
| 2008–2018
|}

==AirPort routers==
[[File:Chipsets.svg|thumb|right|Evolution of chipsets]]
An AirPort router is used to connect AirPort-enabled computers to the Internet, each other, a wired [[local area network|LAN]], and/or other devices.{{Citation needed|date=July 2025}}

===AirPort Base Station===
{{multiple image
| image1 = Apple graphite airport base station front.jpg
| caption1 = Original ''Graphite'' (1999)
| image2 = Apple Airport-001.jpg
| caption2 = ''Snow'' (2001)
| align = right
| direction = horizontal
| total_width = 250
| header = AirPort Base Stations
}}
The original AirPort Base Station (known as ''Graphite'', model M5757, part number M7601LL/B) features a [[dial-up modem]] and an [[Ethernet]] port. It employs a Lucent WaveLAN Silver PC Card as the Radio, and uses an embedded [[AMD Élan]] SC410 processor. It connects to the machine via the Ethernet port. It was released July 21, 1999. The Graphite AirPort Base Station is functionally identical to the [[Lucent]] RG-1000 wireless base station and can run the same firmware. Due to the original firmware-locked limitations of the Silver card, the unit can only accept 40-bit WEP encryption. Later aftermarket tweaks can enable 128-bit WEP on the Silver card. Aftermarket Linux firmware has been developed for these units to extend their useful service life.

A second-generation model (known as ''Dual Ethernet'' or ''Snow'', model M8440, part number M8209LL/A) was introduced on November 13, 2001. It features a second Ethernet port when compared to the Graphite design, allowing for a shared Internet connection with both wired and wireless clients. Also new (but available for the original model via software update) was the ability to connect to and share [[AOL|America Online]]'s dial-up service—a feature unique to [[Apple Inc.|Apple]] base stations. This model is based on [[Motorola]]'s [[PowerPC]] 855 processor and contained a fully functional original AirPort Card, which can be removed and used in any compatible Macintosh computer.

===AirPort Extreme Base Station===
[[File:Airportextreme.jpg|thumb|right|AirPort Extreme Base Station]]

Three different configurations of model A1034 are all called the "AirPort Extreme Base Station":<br />1. M8799LL/A – 2 Ethernet ports, 1 USB port, external antenna connector, 1 56k (V.90) modem port<br />2. M8930LL/A – 2 Ethernet ports, 1 USB port, external antenna connector.<br />3. M9397LL/A – 2 Ethernet ports, 1 USB port, external antenna connector, powered over Ethernet cable (PoE/UL2043)

The AirPort Base Station was discontinued after the updated AirPort Extreme was [https://web.archive.org/web/20110608033152/http://www.apple.com/pr/library/2003/jan/07airportextreme.html announced] on January 7, 2003. In addition to providing wireless connection speeds of up to a maximum of 54&nbsp;Mbit/s, it adds an external antenna port and a [[Universal Serial Bus|USB]] port. The antenna port allows the addition of a signal-boosting antenna, and the USB port allows the sharing of a USB printer. A connected printer is made available via [[Bonjour (protocol)|Bonjour]]'s "[[Zeroconf|zero configuration]]" technology and [[Internet Printing Protocol|IPP]] to all wired and wireless clients on the network. The [[CPU]] is an AU1500-333MBC [[Alchemy (processor)]]. A second model ([https://support.apple.com/specs/airport/AirPort_Extreme_Base_Station_no_modem.html M8930LL/A]) lacking the modem and external antenna port was briefly made available, but then discontinued after the launch of AirPort Express (see below). On April 19, 2004, a third version, marketed as the ''AirPort Extreme Base Station (with Power over Ethernet and UL 2043)'', was introduced that supports [[Power over Ethernet]] and complies to the [[UL (safety organization)|UL]] 2043 specifications for safe usage in air handling spaces, such as above suspended ceilings. All three models support the [[Wireless Distribution System]] (WDS) standard. The model introduced in January 2007 does not have a corresponding PoE, UL-compliant variant.

An AirPort Extreme base station can serve a maximum of 50 wireless clients simultaneously.

===AirPort Extreme 802.11n===
{{Main|AirPort Extreme}}
[[File:AirPort Extreme 2007.jpg|thumb|right|AirPort Extreme 802.11n]]
The AirPort Extreme was updated on January 9, 2007, to support the [[IEEE 802.11|802.11n]] protocol. This revision also adds two LAN ports for a total of three.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.apple.com/airportextreme|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130531112921/https://www.apple.com/airportextreme|archive-date=2013-05-31|title=AirPort Extreme|work=Apple Inc.}}</ref> It now more closely resembles the square-shaped 1st generation Apple TV and Mac Mini, and is about the same size as the mini.

The new '''AirPort Disk''' feature allows users to plug a USB hard drive into the AirPort Extreme for use as a [[network-attached storage]] (NAS) device for Mac OS X and Microsoft Windows clients.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.apple.com/airportextreme/features/harddrivesharing.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130531014925/http://www.apple.com/airportextreme/features/harddrivesharing.html|archive-date=2013-05-31|title=AirPort Extreme – Sharing|work=Apple Inc.}}</ref> Users may also connect a USB hub and printer. The performance of USB hard drives attached to an AirPort Extreme is slower than if the drive were connected directly to a computer. This is due to the processor speed on the AirPort extreme. Depending on the setup and types of reads and writes, performance ranges from 0.5 to 17.5&nbsp;MB/s for writing and 1.9 to 25.6&nbsp;MB/s for reading.<ref name="AnandTech AirPort Extreme (5th gen) review">{{cite web|title=Airport Extreme (5th Gen) and Time Capsule (4th Gen) Review – Faster WiFi|url=http://www.anandtech.com/show/4577/airport-extreme-5th-gen-and-time-capsule-4th-gen-review-faster-wifi-/7|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110815191251/http://www.anandtech.com/show/4577/airport-extreme-5th-gen-and-time-capsule-4th-gen-review-faster-wifi-/7|url-status=dead|archive-date=August 15, 2011|website=AnandTech|first=Brian|last=Krug|access-date=2021-10-07}}</ref> Performance for the same disk connected directly to a computer would be 6.6 to 31.6&nbsp;MB/s for writing and 7.1 to 37.2&nbsp;MB/s for reading.

The AirPort Extreme has no port for an external antenna.

On August 7, 2007, the AirPort Extreme began shipping with [[Gigabit Ethernet]], matching most other Apple products.

On March 19, 2008, Apple released a firmware update for both models of the AirPort Extreme to allow AirPort Disks to be used in conjunction with [[Time Machine (macOS)|Time Machine]], similar to the functionality provided by [[Time Capsule (Apple)|Time Capsule]].<ref>{{cite web
 | title = Time Machine now works with AirPort Extreme's AirDisk feature
 | first=N. |last=Patel
 | publisher=Engadget.com
 | date = March 19, 2008
 | url = https://www.engadget.com/2008/03/19/time-machine-now-works-with-airport-extremes-airdisk-feature/
 | access-date =2021-10-07 | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20080320180628/http://www.engadget.com/2008/03/19/time-machine-now-works-with-airport-extremes-airdisk-feature/| archive-date= March 20, 2008 | url-status= live}}</ref>
On March 3, 2009, Apple unveiled a new AirPort Extreme with simultaneous dual-band 802.11 Draft-N radios. This allows full 802.11 Draft-N 2x2 communication in both 802.11 Draft-N bands at the same time.

On October 20, 2009, Apple unveiled an updated AirPort Extreme base station with antenna improvements.

On June 21, 2011, Apple unveiled an updated AirPort Extreme base station, referred to as ''AirPort Extreme 802.11n (5th Generation)''.

===AirPort Express===
{{Main|AirPort Express}}
{{multiple image
| image1 = Apple airport express.jpg
| caption1 = Original (2004)
| image2 = AirPort Express 2012.jpg
| caption2 = Revised (2012)
| align = right
| direction = horizontal
| total_width = 250
| header = AirPort Express
}}

The AirPort Express is a simplified and compact AirPort Extreme base station. It allows up to 50 networked users, and includes a feature called AirTunes (predecessor to [[AirPlay]]). The original version (M9470LL/A, model A1084) was introduced by Apple on June 7, 2004,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2004/06/07Apple-Unveils-AirPort-Express-for-Mac-PC-Users/ |title=Apple Unveils AirPort Express for Mac & PC Users |date=June 7, 2004 |work=Apple Inc.}}</ref> and includes an [[Mini-TOSLINK|analog–optical audio mini-jack output]], a [[Universal Serial Bus|USB]] port for remote printing or charging the iPod (iPod Shuffle only), and a single [[Ethernet]] port. The USB port cannot be used to connect a hard disk or other storage device.

The AirPort Express functions as a [[wireless access point]] when connected to an Ethernet network. It can be used as an [[Network bridge|Ethernet-to-wireless bridge]] under certain wireless configurations.
It can be used to extend the range of a network, or as a printer and audio server.

In 2012, the AirPort Express took on a new shape, similar to that of the second and third generation Apple TV. The new product also features two 10/100&nbsp;Mbit/s Ethernet LAN ports.

===AirPort Time Capsule===
{{Main|AirPort Time Capsule}}
{{multiple image
| image1 = Appletimecapsule.jpg
| caption1 = Original (2008)
| image2 = Apple time capsule g5 out.jpg
| caption2 = Tower (2013)
| align = right
| direction = horizontal
| total_width = 250
| header = Time Capsule
}}

The AirPort Time Capsule is a version of AirPort Extreme with a built-in hard drive currently coming in either 2&nbsp;TB or 3&nbsp;TB sizes, with a previous version having 1&nbsp;TB or 500&nbsp;GB. It features a built-in design that, when used with Time Machine in Mac OS X Leopard, automatically makes incremental data backups. Acting as a wireless file server, AirPort Time Capsule can serve to back up multiple Macs. It also includes all AirPort Extreme (802.11 Draft-N) functionality.

On March 3, 2009, the Time Capsule was updated with simultaneous dual-band 802.11 Draft-N capability, remote AirPort Disk accessibility through [[Back to My Mac]], and the ability to broadcast a guest network at the same time as an existing network.

On October 20, 2009, Apple unveiled the updated Time Capsule with antenna improvements resulting in wireless performance gains of both speed and range. Also stated is a resulting performance improvement/time reduction on Time Capsule backups of up to 60%.

In June 2011, Apple unveiled the updated Time Capsule with a higher capacity 2&nbsp;TB and 3&nbsp;TB. They also changed the wireless card from a Marvell chip to a Broadcom BCM4331 chip. When used in conjunction with the latest 2011 MacBooks, MacBook Pros, and MacBook Airs (which also use a Broadcom BCM4331 wireless chip), the wireless signal is improved thanks to Broadcom's Frame Bursting technology.<ref name="AnandTech AirPort Extreme (5th gen) review" />

On June 10, 2013, Apple renamed the Time Capsule to the AirPort Time Capsule and added support for the 802.11ac standard.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.apple.com/airport-time-capsule/specs/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161115112405/http://www.apple.com/airport-time-capsule/specs/|archive-date=2016-11-15|title=AirPort Time Capsule - Tech Specs|work=Apple Inc.}}</ref>

AirPort Time Capsule backups will no longer be supported starting with macOS 27 in 2026.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-06-10 |title=Warning: Apple Says macOS 27 Won't Support AirPort Time Capsule Backups |url=https://www.macrumors.com/2025/06/10/macos-27-wont-support-airport-time-capsule/ |access-date=2025-06-10 |website=MacRumors |language=en}}</ref>

==AirPort cards==
[[File:Apple AirPort 7877.jpg|thumb|right|An original Apple AirPort 802.11b card]]Apple produced numerous [[wireless card]] used to connect to wireless networks such as those provided by an AirPort Base Station.

===AirPort 802.11b card===
The original model, known as simply ''AirPort card'', was a re-branded [[Lucent]] WaveLAN/Orinoco Gold PC card, in a modified housing that lacked the integrated antenna. It was designed to be capable of being user-installable. It was also modified in such a way that it could not be used in a regular PCMCIA slot (at the time it was significantly cheaper than the official WaveLAN/Orinoco Gold card).

An AirPort card adapter is required to use this card in the slot-loading [[iMac]]s.

===AirPort Extreme 802.11g cards===
[[File:Apple Airport Extreme 802.11g card.jpg|thumb|An Airport Extreme 802.11g card installed in an [[iBook]] G4]]
Corresponding with the release of the AirPort Extreme Base Station, the AirPort Extreme card became available as an option on the current models. It is based on a Broadcom 802.11g chipset and is housed in a custom form factor, but is electrically compatible with the [[Mini PCI]] standard. It was also capable of being user-installed.

Variants of the user-installable AirPort Extreme card are marked A-1010 (early North American spec), A-1026 (current North American spec), A-1027 (Europe/Asia spec (additional channels)) and A-1095 (unknown).

A different 802.11g card was included in the last iteration of the PowerPC-based PowerBooks and iBooks. A major distinction for this card was that it was the first "combo" card that included both 802.11g as well as [[Bluetooth]]. It was also the first card that was not user-installable. It was again a custom form factor, but was still electrically a [[Mini PCI]] interface for the Broadcom WLAN chip. A separate USB connection was used for the on-board Bluetooth chip.

The AirPort Extreme (802.11g) card was discontinued in January 2009.

===Integrated AirPort Extreme 802.11a/b/g/n and /ac cards===

As 802.11g began to come standard on all notebook models, Apple phased out the user-installable designs in their notebooks, iMacs and Mac Minis by mid-2005, moving to an integrated design. AirPort continued to be an option, either installed at purchase or later, on the Power Mac G5 and the Mac Pro.[[File:Apple-Airport-Extreme-80211g-WiFi-Card.jpg|thumb|right|An Airport Extreme card pulled from a late 2007 MacBook]]With the introduction of the Intel-based MacBook Pro in January 2006, Apple began to use a standard [[PCI Express Mini Card|PCI Express mini card]]. The particular brand and model of card has changed over the years; in early models, it was [[Atheros]] brand, while since late 2008 they have been [[Broadcom]] cards. This distinction is mostly of concern to those who run other operating systems such as [[Linux]] on MacBooks, as different cards require different [[device drivers]].

The MacBook Air Mid 2012 13",<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ifixit.com/Teardown/MacBook-Air-13-Inch-Mid-2012-Teardown/9457/2#s36160|title=MacBook Air 13" Mid 2012 Teardown: Step 10|website=iFixit|first=Walter|last=Galan|date=June 12, 2012|access-date=2021-10-07}}</ref> MacBook Air Mid 2011 13"<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ifixit.com/Teardown/MacBook-Air-13-Inch-Mid-2011-Teardown/6130/1#s26668|title=MacBook Air 13" Mid 2011 Teardown: Step 6|website=iFixit|first=Andrew|last=Bookholt|date=July 21, 2011|access-date=2021-10-07}}</ref> and MacBook Air Late 2010 (11", A1370<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ifixit.com/Teardown/MacBook-Air-11-Inch-Model-A1370-Teardown/3745/2#s17834|title=iFixIt MacBook Air 11" Model A1370 Teardown|website=iFixitdate|first=Walter|last=Galan|date=October 21, 2010|access-date=2021-10-07}}</ref> and 13", Model A1369<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ifixit.com/Guide/Repair/Installing-MacBook-Air-13-Inch-Model-A1369-AirPort-Bluetooth-Card/4506/2#s20575|title=Installing MacBook Air 13" Model A1369 AirPort Bluetooth Card|website=iFixit|date=November 22, 2010|first=Walter|last=Galan|access-date=2021-10-07}}</ref>) each use a Broadcom BCM 943224 PCIEBT2 Wi-Fi card (main chip BCM43224: 2 × 2 2.4&nbsp;GHz and 5&nbsp;GHz<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ifixit.com/Teardown/MacBook-Air-13-Inch-Mid-2011-Teardown/6130/1#s26677|title=MacBook Air 13" Mid 2011 Teardown: Step 7|website=iFixit|first=Andrew|last=Bookholt|date=July 21, 2011|access-date=2021-10-07}}</ref>).

The MacBook Pro Retina Mid 2012<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ifixit.com/Teardown/MacBook-Pro-15-Inch-Retina-Display-Mid-2012-Teardown/9462/2#s36199|title=MacBook Pro Retine Mid 2012 Teardown: Step 11|website=iFixit|first=Kyle|last=Wiens|date=June 13, 2012 |access-date=2021-10-07}}</ref> uses Broadcom BCM94331CSAX (main chip BCM4331: 3 × 3 2.4&nbsp;GHz and 5&nbsp;GHz, up to 450&nbsp;Mbit/s).

In early 2007, Apple announced that most Intel [[Core 2 Duo]]-based Macs, which had been shipping since November 2006, already included AirPort Extreme cards compatible with the draft-802.11 Draft-N specification. Apple also offered an application to enable 802.11 Draft-N functionality on these Macs for a fee of $1.99, or free with the purchase of an AirPort Extreme base station.<ref name="apextreme-2007" /> Starting with Leopard, the Draft-N functionality was quietly enabled on all Macs that had Draft-N cards. This card was also a PCI Express mini design, but used three antenna connectors in the notebooks and iMacs, in order to use a 2 × 3 [[Multiple-input multiple-output communications|MIMO]] antenna configuration. The cards in the Mac Pro and [[Apple TV (device)|Apple TV]] have two antenna connectors and support a 2 × 2 configuration. The Network Utility application located in ''Applications → Utilities'' can be used to identify the model and supported protocols of an installed AirPort card.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://store.apple.com/us/product/D4141ZM/A|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120218231800/http://store.apple.com/us/product/D4141ZM/A|archive-date=2012-02-18|title=AirPort Extreme 802.11 Draft-N* Enabler|work=Apple Inc.}}</ref> 

Starting with the 2013 [[MacBook Air]], Macs began using the [[IEEE 802.11ac-2013|IEEE 802.11ac]] standard (main chip [http://www.broadcom.com/products/Wireless-LAN/802.11-Wireless-LAN-Solutions/BCM4360 BCM4360]: 2 × 2 : 2).<ref>{{cite web |title=Broadcom BCM94360CS2 |url=http://wikidevi.com/wiki/Broadcom_BCM94360CS2 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191003030122/http://wikidevi.com/wiki/Broadcom_BCM94360CS2 |archive-date=2019-10-03 |website=WikiDevi}}</ref><ref>[http://www.ifixit.com/Teardown/MacBook+Air+13-Inch+Mid+2013+Teardown/15042/1 iFixIt MacBook Air 13" Mid 2013 Teardown, Step 7: Airport card]</ref>

==Security==
AirPort and AirPort Extreme support a variety of security technologies to prevent [[eavesdropping]] and unauthorized network access, including several forms of [[cryptography]].

The original graphite AirPort base station used 40-bit [[Wired Equivalent Privacy]] (WEP). The second-generation model (known as Dual Ethernet or Snow) AirPort base station, like most other [[Wi-Fi]] products, used 40-bit or 128-bit [[Wired Equivalent Privacy]] (WEP). AirPort Extreme and Express base stations retain this option, but also allow and encourage the use of [[Wi-Fi Protected Access]] (WPA) and, as of July 14, 2005, [[WPA2]].

AirPort Extreme cards, which use the [[Broadcom]] chipset, have the [[media access control layer]] in software. The driver is [[closed source|proprietary]].

==AirPort Disk==
The AirPort Disk feature shares a hard disk connected to an AirPort Extreme or Time Capsule (though not AirPort Express), as a small-scale [[Network-attached storage|NAS]]. AirPort Disk can be accessed from Windows and Linux as well as Mac OS X using the SMB/CIFS protocol for FAT volumes, and both SMB/CIFS and AFP for HFS+ partitions. NTFS- or exFAT-formatted volumes are not supported.

Although Windows does not natively support HFS+, an HFS+ volume on an AirPort Disk can be easily accessed from Windows. This is because the SMB/CIFS protocol used to access the disk, and hence access from Windows is filesystem-independent. Therefore, HFS+ is a viable option for Windows as well as OS X users, and more flexible than FAT32 as the latter has a 4&nbsp;GiB file size limit.

Recent firmware versions cause the internal disk and any external USB drives to sleep after periods of time as short as 2 minutes.{{citation needed|date=March 2013}}

A caveat of the use of AirPort Disk is that the AFP port 548 is reserved for the service, which then does not allow for simultaneous use of port forwarding to provide AFP services to external users. This is also true of a Time Capsule setup for use as a network-based Time Machine Backup location, its main purpose and default configuration. An AirPort administrator must choose between using AirPort Disk and providing remote access to AFP services.{{citation needed|date=March 2013}}

The AirPort Extreme or Time Capsule will recognize multiple disks connected via a USB hub.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://support.apple.com/guide/aputility/share-a-usb-hard-disk-on-your-network-aprt2703/mac|title=AirPort Utility User Guide|quote=If you connect a USB hub to an AirPort Time Capsule or AirPort Extreme: You can connect several hard disks to the hub.|website=Apple Inc.}}</ref>

==See also==
*[[AirDrop]]
*[[AirPrint]]
* [[iTunes]]
* [[Sleep Proxy Service]]<ref name="apple-support-doc">{{cite web
| title       = Mac OS X v10.6: About Wake on Demand (Apple Article HT3774)
| url         = http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3774
| publisher=Apple
| date        = August 27, 2009
| access-date = 2021-10-07
| quote       = "Setting up Wake on Demand," "Setting up a Bonjour Sleep Proxy"
}}</ref>
* [[Timeline of Apple products]]
* [[Wireless LAN]]
* [[IEEE 802.11]]

==Notes==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20130607132659/https://www.apple.com/wifi AirPort products] (archived 2013-06-07)
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20080221111934/http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=107908 All AirPort products]
* [https://support.apple.com/manuals/airport AirPort manuals]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20080430173131/http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=75422 AirPort software compatibility table]
* [http://www.ifixit.com/Guide/First-Look/Airport-Extreme-802-11n/438/1/ Apple AirPort 802.11 N first look at ifixit]

{{Apple hardware since 1998}}
{{Apple hardware}}
{{Apple}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Airport}}
[[Category:Apple Inc. peripherals]]
[[Category:Macintosh internals]]
[[Category:Wi-Fi]]
[[Category:ITunes]]
[[Category:Computer-related introductions in 1999]]
[[Category:Products and services discontinued in 2018]]