Welcome to the MacNN Forums.

finknottle · Sep 11, 2005, 07:21 PM

I have an Airport extreme base station connected to a cable modem. This might seem like a dumb question but do I need a router - or is there one in the airport extreme?

I would like to have a hardware firewall. If I do need one, what type of one would you recommend or any models that anybody thinks are very good?

Thanks in advance!

Cold Warrior · Sep 11, 2005, 07:53 PM

the airport extreme is a router. I don't know if it has a firewall -- I have an AE in my closet. Never used it. Got a WRT54G the same day so the AE has been collecting dust for nearly a year. But your mac has a firewall you can turn on.

brachiator · Sep 12, 2005, 02:49 AM

I think the firewall may be on by default, at least in 10.4.2. Check under System Preferences > Sharing > Firewall.

finknottle · Sep 12, 2005, 06:14 AM

Thanks for the replies. I have the firewall turned on already but I was reading recently and then listening to the Security Now Podcast that one should have both a hardware and software firewall. Would you disagree with this?
Thanks again!

brachiator · Sep 12, 2005, 09:38 AM

Oh, sorry! Seems I forgot to RTFP... ;-) No, I wouldn't disagree that having the hardware firewall is also helpful.

According to the Apple document Designing Airport Networks, at p. 17:

You can separate your wireless network from the outside world with firewall protection.
The AirPort Extreme Base Station and AirPort Express have a built-in firewall that
creates a barrier between your network and the Internet, protecting data from Internet-
based IP attacks. The firewall is automatically turned on when you set up the base
station to share a single Internet connection. For computers with a cable or DSL
modem, AirPort can actually be safer than a wired connection.

This doc and the rest of the Apple support site for AE should be the best place for you to start. Good luck!

finknottle · Sep 12, 2005, 07:04 PM

Perfect! Thanks very much for the quick answer!! I'm set so.
Thanks again

Screwball · Sep 22, 2005, 04:09 PM

I might sound dumb, but i'm new to these airport thingies..
So, if i get an iBook and an Airport Extreme Base Station, i'll be able to use wireless internet connection.Am i right in this one?What else do i need?I've got a DSL connection of 2 mbps.

brachiator · Sep 22, 2005, 04:18 PM

Yeah, pretty much. You'd plug the ethernet cable from the DSL modem into the Airport, configure the Airport from the iBook (including, I hope, enabling the security and encryption features), and you'd be off to the races.

\

Oh, and it doesn't sound dumb. Just be sure to read the manuals and such. It is pretty straightforward.

Screwball · Sep 22, 2005, 05:18 PM

Thanks a lot!
I previously thought it was much more complicated!Thanks again

Westfoto · Sep 29, 2005, 02:53 PM

I have a Aiport Base Station Extreme with out the antenna port, I also have an extra Wireless unit from Linksys - WRT54gs (should not have gotten the gs, oh well).

Here is my question.

I would like to extend the range of my wireless as I am in an old wood house and the wireless reception is very poor.

I have tried to set up the ABSE with WDS but the Linksys does not see the signal. I am wondering if I am setting it up wrong or if they just cannot talk to each other other than though wires.

Does anyone have any hints on this.

thanks,
West