Apple updates AirPort Base Station software

***AppleInsider*** · 03-11-2008, 05:14 PM

Apple on Tuesday updated its AirPort Base Station software for Mac OS X 10.4 Tiger and Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard, as well as recent version of the Windows operating system.

The 11.4MB update began showing up via the Mac OS X Software Update application as "AirPort Base Station Update 2008-001" earlier this afternoon for those users who own one of the company's 802.11 routers.

According to Apple's "release notes," the update includes general fixes and compatibility updates for AirPort Utility, AirPort Disk Utility, and AirPort Base Station Agent.

Shortly thereafter, a similar set of updates were released via the company's website under the heading "AirPort Utility 5.3.1." Those distributions was made available as a 8.8MB download for Leopard, a 9.33MB download for Tiger, and a 10.28MB download for Windows XP and Vista.

"AirPort Utility v5.3.1 is the simple to use, setup and management utility for the AirPort Express Base Station, the AirPort Extreme Base Station and Time Capsule," Apple said in the release notes for those downloads.

[ View this article at AppleInsider.com ]

gigi · 03-11-2008, 05:29 PM

Did this update contain the possibility to backup with time machine over the air with a regular airport extreme?

Ringo · 03-11-2008, 05:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gigi

Did this update contain the possibility to backup with time machine over the air with a regular airport extreme?

I sure hope so, but I don't see any mention of a firmware update being part of this.

DeaPeaJay · 03-11-2008, 05:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gigi

Did this update contain the possibility to backup with time machine over the air with a regular airport extreme?

Crossing my fingers that it does

Foo2 · 03-11-2008, 06:05 PM

No problems before. Now with 5.3.1 I can't access the configurations of my AEs. Setup just sits and spins.

aplnub · 03-11-2008, 06:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Foo2

No problems before. Now with 5.3.1 I can't access the configurations of my AEs. Setup just sits and spins.

No problems here with my stuff.

williado21 · 03-11-2008, 06:15 PM

Anyone who has applied this update to an AEBSn want to let us know if the USB Disk sharing bug is fixed? I had applied the 7.2.1 update and lost the ability to see my USB drives on my local network.

I finally downgraded back to the original 7.1 and all is well. Also, auto-mount of the drives was disabled under 7.2.1, so I hope this was fixed.

dwilliams

Zandros · 03-11-2008, 06:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Foo2

No problems before. Now with 5.3.1 I can't access the configurations of my AEs. Setup just sits and spins.

Mine won't even see my Airport Extreme Gigabit Ethernet…

/Adrian

Edit: Issue resolved itself with a restart of the base station.

krankerz · 03-11-2008, 06:20 PM

Update applied fine for me.

I hope this fixes the common disconnecting issue I have been experiencing over WiFi.

dgandy · 03-11-2008, 06:22 PM

So i just got the most recent update for the airport extreme and plugged my USB drive (w/ time machine backed up to it) into my airport extreme.
Airport disk utility couldnt find it (of course) but when i went to "Go" --> "Connect to server" --> smb://[airport name]/Time Machine Backups" it logged in and a finder window popped up. Then Time Machine kicked in and started trying to backup (it said "preparing...") This went on for about a minute until it said "Time Machine Error" & "The backup disk image could not be created." Now when I click on "Select Disk..." the airport disk doesnt show up.

it does seem like a start though and time machine definitely recognized the disk on the Airport Extreme, albeit for a brief minute.
Also, when i clicked "backup now" from the little icon in the toolbar, it found the airport disk again and tried to backup, even though there werent any disks listed in the "select disk..." window.

We'll see what happens.

ascii · 03-11-2008, 06:22 PM

If you have applied this update, please let us know if you can now select your Airport's external USB disk in the Time Machine control panel.

Edit: thanks dgandy

dgandy · 03-11-2008, 06:27 PM

Don't know if this is standard or not, but when i selected "go" --> "connect to server" it never mounted the drive to the desktop; it only popped up the finder window of the airport disk.

burkstrom · 03-11-2008, 06:29 PM

When I run Software Update I don't even see the update. I have an Airport Express, could that be why?

i386 · 03-11-2008, 06:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ringo

I sure hope so, but I don't see any mention of a firmware update being part of this.

Firmware still the same 7.2.1 for the old Airport Extreme, as for Time Machine doesn't recognise it either (thought as much... )

i386 · 03-11-2008, 06:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by burkstrom

When I run Software Update I don't even see the update. I have an Airport Express, could that be why?

I think it's only for the Extreme, the update doesn't include firmware as far as I can see.

AstroFish · 03-11-2008, 06:37 PM

I installed the AirPort Utility 5.3.1 update, restarted my AEBS and didn't spot anything new - then a few minutes later the fan kicked in on the CPU - what's going on I thought and then noticed the new Leopard Time Machine display at the top of the screen rotating in an encouraging way - opened the Time Machine preferences and lo and behold, it was beginning the arduous task of backing up 65GB of data to my LaCie USB drive connected to the AEBS. This is further than it's ever gotten before so leaving it to run overnight and see if it succeeds.

Note that the LaCie USB drive already had been hooked up locally to my PowerBook and Time Machine'd and then I'd moved it back to the AEBS and I'd tried out many of the subterfuges to get the AirDisk / Time Machine combo to work, but it never got past the initiating phase before quiting with an error. And despite the fact there is a valid Time Machine config on the LaCie USB drive, seems in this instance that's been ignored and Time Machine is backuping up afresh over wireless.

Also I haven't seen anything of the 'AirPort Base Station Update 2008-001' - it's not coming up in Software Update - all I was offered by SwUpdate was the AirPort 5.3.1 package. Does the former item contain firmware updates, as AirPort 5.3.1 package didn't contain any?

CREB · 03-11-2008, 06:53 PM

Well, bloody fantastic as I updated, and then tried to find out the details but now the update has been pulled from Apple's own site! I wonder what's in store for me now?

AstroFish · 03-11-2008, 07:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AstroFish

Also I haven't seen anything of the 'AirPort Base Station Update 2008-001' - it's not coming up in Software Update - all I was offered by SwUpdate was the AirPort 5.3.1 package. Does the former item contain firmware updates, as AirPort 5.3.1 package didn't contain any?

I just checked out the equivalent update on my XP machine and Apple Software Update actually reports the update as "AirPort Base Station Software Update 2008-001", "Version 5.3.1", "13.59MB" so suspect this was equivalent with my Mac update but the "2008-001" part was probably obscured. On the XP version, the following blurb came with the update:

"The AirPort Base Station Update 2008-001 includes general fixes and compatibility updates for the following applications:

- AirPort Utility

- AirPort Base Station Agent

- AirPort Disks Control Panel"

So no firmware updates for AEBS then, seems it was all AirPort Utility's fault that TM didn't work to AirDisk ...

AstroFish · 03-11-2008, 07:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AstroFish

I installed the AirPort Utility 5.3.1 update, ..... it was beginning the arduous task of backing up 65GB of data to my LaCie USB drive connected to the AEBS. This is further than it's ever gotten before so leaving it to run overnight and see if it succeeds.

Ach, should have kept an eye on what was going on - returned to my Mac and screen was blanked and couldn't revive it - had to reboot - and now Time Machine reports that the last backup failed because "The backup disk image could not be mounted" - despite the AirDisk being displayed in Time Machine Prefs and Finder has mounted the AirDisk and I can navigate to the TM backup directories therein. A false dawn for me - hope others find a way.

Foo2 · 03-11-2008, 08:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Foo2

No problems before. Now with 5.3.1 I can't access the configurations of my AEs. Setup just sits and spins.

5.3.1 doesn't like jumbo frames. Turning them off fixed the issue, which arose on all platforms tested.

Step · 03-11-2008, 09:44 PM

Anyone tested the "Add wireless client" functionality ('pin' or 'first attempt' method)? I just tried this yesterday unsuccessfully (several times) when a friend came over with a Win XP laptop. I finally gave in and just typed in my WPA2 key, but would like to be able to easily give access to future guests!

DayLight · 03-11-2008, 10:03 PM

hmmm, i had the screen on http://www.apple.com/support/downloads/ for acouple of hours now. just came back to use my computer and refreshed website.

the Drivers Have been Removed from the Apple Downloads page.

wonder why ?

well, life goes on...

toddr · 03-11-2008, 10:20 PM

i could not get my time capsule to work as either a base station or as a wireless client (I have been using it connected to my MBP). 5.3.1 fixed this -- I got it to join my wireless network with about 2 minutes work (after spending several frustrating hours last week with no success).

my guess is that 5.3.1 is mostly about patching problems with the time capsules.

cheers,
todd.

WholesaleMagic · 03-12-2008, 07:32 AM

It's unfortunate that they didn't release a firmware or OS update fixing the numerous problems with WiFi hangs and dropouts. Thousands of people have reported problems, but no word on a fix yet.

iMinnesotan · 03-12-2008, 09:25 AM

Well, the update didn't help my cause any. My MBP still drops its network connection just minutes after going on battery and Time Machine will not offer the air drive as a backup drive. I can mount the air drive on my airport extreme base station and transfer files, but I could before the update. I assume that air tunes on my airport express still drops out as well, but I didn't test it.

I got all excited for nothin'.

steviet02 · 03-12-2008, 10:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by iMinnesotan

Well, the update didn't help my cause any. My MBP still drops its network connection just minutes after going on battery and Time Machine will not offer the air drive as a backup drive. I can mount the air drive on my airport extreme base station and transfer files, but I could before the update. I assume that air tunes on my airport express still drops out as well, but I didn't test it.

I got all excited for nothin'.

I'm all done waiting for them to fix this, they apparently are forcing people onto the Time Capsule solution. I'll never buy another wireless router from them again.

jeffharris · 03-12-2008, 10:35 AM

I downloaded and installed the update. Actually, I downloaded both Apple AirPort 5.3.1 and the Airport Base Station Update 2008-001. The files seemed to be exactly the same thing, since the downloaded files' sizes and names were exactly the same.

So, it seems to simply update the Airport Utility, nothing else. Not the base station firmware or anything major. It didn't even require a Restart or Logout.

I'd have expected Apple to release USB port activation in the AirPort Extreme Base Station. Apparently not.

I WISH Apple didn't treat us all like idiots and explain in detail exactly what these updates do.
What would it take to list what's being 'fixed' or updated in the ReadMe?

djpadz · 03-12-2008, 11:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DayLight

hmmm, i had the screen on http://www.apple.com/support/downloads/ for acouple of hours now. just came back to use my computer and refreshed website.

the Drivers Have been Removed from the Apple Downloads page.

Looks like it's back on the downloads page, but Software Update isn't showing it (even though the Airport Utility is reporting that the newer version is available).

03-11-2008, 05:14 PM	#1
*AppleInsider* Kasper's Automated Slave Join Date: Nov 1997 Posts: 6,151	Apple updates AirPort Base Station software Apple on Tuesday updated its AirPort Base Station software for Mac OS X 10.4 Tiger and Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard, as well as recent version of the Windows operating system. The 11.4MB update began showing up via the Mac OS X Software Update application as "AirPort Base Station Update 2008-001" earlier this afternoon for those users who own one of the company's 802.11 routers. According to Apple's "release notes," the update includes general fixes and compatibility updates for AirPort Utility, AirPort Disk Utility, and AirPort Base Station Agent. Shortly thereafter, a similar set of updates were released via the company's website under the heading "AirPort Utility 5.3.1." Those distributions was made available as a 8.8MB download for Leopard, a 9.33MB download for Tiger, and a 10.28MB download for Windows XP and Vista. "AirPort Utility v5.3.1 is the simple to use, setup and management utility for the AirPort Express Base Station, the AirPort Extreme Base Station and Time Capsule," Apple said in the release notes for those downloads. [ View this article at AppleInsider.com ]

03-11-2008, 06:05 PM	#5
Foo2 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 594	wunnerful No problems before. Now with 5.3.1 I can't access the configurations of my AEs. Setup just sits and spins.

03-11-2008, 06:29 PM	#13
burkstrom Registered User Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 1	no update for me When I run Software Update I don't even see the update. I have an Airport Express, could that be why?

03-11-2008, 06:37 PM	#16
AstroFish Registered User Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: London Posts: 3	Seems Time Machine is working to AirDisk... I installed the AirPort Utility 5.3.1 update, restarted my AEBS and didn't spot anything new - then a few minutes later the fan kicked in on the CPU - what's going on I thought and then noticed the new Leopard Time Machine display at the top of the screen rotating in an encouraging way - opened the Time Machine preferences and lo and behold, it was beginning the arduous task of backing up 65GB of data to my LaCie USB drive connected to the AEBS. This is further than it's ever gotten before so leaving it to run overnight and see if it succeeds. Note that the LaCie USB drive already had been hooked up locally to my PowerBook and Time Machine'd and then I'd moved it back to the AEBS and I'd tried out many of the subterfuges to get the AirDisk / Time Machine combo to work, but it never got past the initiating phase before quiting with an error. And despite the fact there is a valid Time Machine config on the LaCie USB drive, seems in this instance that's been ignored and Time Machine is backuping up afresh over wireless. Also I haven't seen anything of the 'AirPort Base Station Update 2008-001' - it's not coming up in Software Update - all I was offered by SwUpdate was the AirPort 5.3.1 package. Does the former item contain firmware updates, as AirPort 5.3.1 package didn't contain any?

03-11-2008, 06:53 PM	#17
CREB Registered User Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 271	5.3.1 Pulled form Apple's Site Well, bloody fantastic as I updated, and then tried to find out the details but now the update has been pulled from Apple's own site! I wonder what's in store for me now?

03-11-2008, 05:29 PM	#2
gigi Registered User Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 46	Did this update contain the possibility to backup with time machine over the air with a regular airport extreme?

03-11-2008, 06:15 PM	#7
williado21 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 7	Anyone who has applied this update to an AEBSn want to let us know if the USB Disk sharing bug is fixed? I had applied the 7.2.1 update and lost the ability to see my USB drives on my local network. I finally downgraded back to the original 7.1 and all is well. Also, auto-mount of the drives was disabled under 7.2.1, so I hope this was fixed. dwilliams

03-11-2008, 06:20 PM	#9
krankerz Registered User Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: El Paso, TX Posts: 38	Update applied fine for me. I hope this fixes the common disconnecting issue I have been experiencing over WiFi.

03-11-2008, 06:22 PM	#10
dgandy Registered User Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 2	So i just got the most recent update for the airport extreme and plugged my USB drive (w/ time machine backed up to it) into my airport extreme. Airport disk utility couldnt find it (of course) but when i went to "Go" --> "Connect to server" --> smb://[airport name]/Time Machine Backups" it logged in and a finder window popped up. Then Time Machine kicked in and started trying to backup (it said "preparing...") This went on for about a minute until it said "Time Machine Error" & "The backup disk image could not be created." Now when I click on "Select Disk..." the airport disk doesnt show up. it does seem like a start though and time machine definitely recognized the disk on the Airport Extreme, albeit for a brief minute. Also, when i clicked "backup now" from the little icon in the toolbar, it found the airport disk again and tried to backup, even though there werent any disks listed in the "select disk..." window. We'll see what happens.

03-11-2008, 06:22 PM	#11
ascii Registered User Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 791	If you have applied this update, please let us know if you can now select your Airport's external USB disk in the Time Machine control panel. Edit: thanks dgandy

03-11-2008, 06:27 PM	#12
dgandy Registered User Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 2	Don't know if this is standard or not, but when i selected "go" --> "connect to server" it never mounted the drive to the desktop; it only popped up the finder window of the airport disk.

03-11-2008, 09:44 PM	#21
Step Registered User Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 11	Add wireless client? Anyone tested the "Add wireless client" functionality ('pin' or 'first attempt' method)? I just tried this yesterday unsuccessfully (several times) when a friend came over with a Win XP laptop. I finally gave in and just typed in my WPA2 key, but would like to be able to easily give access to future guests!

03-11-2008, 10:03 PM	#22
DayLight Registered User Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 10	hmmm, i had the screen on http://www.apple.com/support/downloads/ for acouple of hours now. just came back to use my computer and refreshed website. the Drivers Have been Removed from the Apple Downloads page. wonder why ? well, life goes on...

03-11-2008, 10:20 PM	#23
toddr Registered User Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 1	fixed my time capsule i could not get my time capsule to work as either a base station or as a wireless client (I have been using it connected to my MBP). 5.3.1 fixed this -- I got it to join my wireless network with about 2 minutes work (after spending several frustrating hours last week with no success). my guess is that 5.3.1 is mostly about patching problems with the time capsules. cheers, todd.

03-12-2008, 07:32 AM	#24
WholesaleMagic Registered User Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 4	It's unfortunate that they didn't release a firmware or OS update fixing the numerous problems with WiFi hangs and dropouts. Thousands of people have reported problems, but no word on a fix yet.

03-12-2008, 09:25 AM	#25
iMinnesotan Registered User Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 5	Well, the update didn't help my cause any. My MBP still drops its network connection just minutes after going on battery and Time Machine will not offer the air drive as a backup drive. I can mount the air drive on my airport extreme base station and transfer files, but I could before the update. I assume that air tunes on my airport express still drops out as well, but I didn't test it. I got all excited for nothin'.

03-12-2008, 10:35 AM	#27
jeffharris Registered User Join Date: May 2002 Location: New York City Posts: 313	Utility Update I downloaded and installed the update. Actually, I downloaded both Apple AirPort 5.3.1 and the Airport Base Station Update 2008-001. The files seemed to be exactly the same thing, since the downloaded files' sizes and names were exactly the same. So, it seems to simply update the Airport Utility, nothing else. Not the base station firmware or anything major. It didn't even require a Restart or Logout. I'd have expected Apple to release USB port activation in the AirPort Extreme Base Station. Apparently not. I WISH Apple didn't treat us all like idiots and explain in detail exactly what these updates do. What would it take to list what's being 'fixed' or updated in the ReadMe? • • • • • Macintosh: It just WORKS!

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