The Apple Airport Extreme is a more advanced version of the original Apple Airport. The Airport Extreme serves as a base for wireless access point. For people who are new to the Wireless community, this simply means that it allows you to connect to the World Wide Web by wireless connection in the same way a local hot spot does. This installation of the device is simple enough: just connect it to your DSL modem or bridge cable, install and configure its utility program and you’re good to go. Of course, a WIFI ready computer is also required, but if you’ve going to hot spots, you would already know that. This device is compatible with all 802.11g devices and even with earlier 802.11 versions, and is by far the most competent among in its class today. The problem with this device, however, is that its performance drops significantly when used in combination with earlier devices, which use 802.11a and b. 
The basic package includes the unit, an instruction manual, an installation CD, an AC adapter, and a bracket for mounting on wall surfaces. Another downfall of this device is that network cables are not included with the package. Although this might not necessarily be an issue for users which already use an Ethernet cable to connect their modems to their DSL or bridge modem. The unit has two Ethernet ports, one for LAN, and another for WAN. When the device is configured for LAN, the local area automatically becomes a hot spot providing fast access to the internet for as many as 10 computers. The connection speed of course depends on the range, the number of units, the speed of the service provider, and the configuration of the device. The wireless network generated automatically allows all the units in the network to be connected to each other making sharing of files very easy, provided that the settings for the connections are configured properly. In addition to this, this device also has a USB port for the use of a shared printer in the network. The basic model only offers this much, but the high end model also includes a built-in modem and modem port for dial-up access, as well as an external antenna connection for extending the range of the device.
The configuration of the device is completed by using the Admin utility that comes with the package. The setup program is easy to use, and works well with both Mac and Windows operating systems. The utility allows the user to configure the device for use with 802.11g devices, 802.11b devices, or a combination of the two, depending on the network setup. As its name suggests, the Extreme part only refers to the g platform, as this model excels and perform its best when used entirely with 802.11g devices. In addition to its coverage, this device also offers its users the best security options possible. For one, the power of the antenna may be adjusted to control the radius of the network. When the device is configured for a closed network, SSID broadcasting is disabled. This means that other users who are trying to get a signal will not be able to locate the network. Also, logging in to the network would require not only the SSID or network name, but also an access password as well.
