AirPort: Too Simple?

I've been a big fan of Apple's "AirPort" line of network devices for quite some time. The "Extreme", "Time Capsule" and "Express" models are all solid performers with excellent wireless range packaged in Apple's trademark minimalist design. No external antennas or buttons and just one LED to tell you when it's on and if it's working properly. Even the software Apple provides to setup and manage AirPort devices (AirPort Utility 6) has built-in wizards for adding or replacing AirPorts in your network. For 90% of users, Apple's Airport devices provide everything they need for a safe, reliable home network.

For the other 10%, Apple's network ecosystem forces some hard choices. For example, do you need a full-featured virtual private network (VPN) to connect to your home network when you're away or will "Back to My Mac" do? VPN capability is available on many sub-$100 routers these days, but AirPort devices don't have it and "Back to My Mac" has never been accused of being robust. Do you need to configure some basic "Quality of Service" (QoS) so your Netflix stream doesn't get interrupted by someone watching the latest "cat on a piano" YouTube vid? If so, you'll need something other than an AirPort. How about monitoring your bandwidth so your ISP doesn't charge you for exceeding your data cap? Sorry, the new AirPorts don't support SNMP (Simple Network Management Protocol) unlike almost every other router on the planet, so none of the myriad of bandwidth tracking applications will work.

These use examples aren't exclusive to neck-bearded Linux geeks. On the contrary, while maybe not mainstream, these are basic capabilities based on industry standards used by millions. And it isn’t like AirPort devices don’t have the hardware chops to handle these chores. As a rule, Apple puts better components in their devices than most other manufacturers. No, Apple simply chooses not to include these capabilities in the firmware they write for their AirPorts. Pity. I know Apple’s “simple is better” mantra has taken them far, but one would think the smart guys in Cupertino could figure out a way to keep things simple for the 90% while not completely ignoring the needs of the other 10.

As for me, I’m completely vested in Apple’s network infrastructure. With 4 Macs, two AppleTVs and more iOS devices than I can count, my family has gotten completely spoiled by all the AirPlay options in our home and “Back to My Mac” is the tool I use to manage all those Macs remotely when I’m away. It’s also much less work for daddy when our network purrs along so well, requiring little or no attention. After all, I am the family’s built-in IT guy.

For now, I’ll stick with my AirPort Extreme (the previous model that still provides SNMP) and the sprinkling of AirPort Expresses we use regularly for AirPlay. I’d love one of the new models with 802.11ac wireless, but unless Apple changes its mind about excluding SNMP, I’ll not give up my old Extreme just yet. It would be nice if Apple made something like an “AirPort Pro” with all the features necessary to keep me and the neck-beards happy, but I won’t hold my breath.