AirPort Software update expected this month; other AirPort tidbits

Several people (including MacFixIt Editor John Rizzo) report having been told by Apple product managers and engineers that a new and improved version of the AirPort software is in the works and should be released before the end of January. It should fix crashing bugs and provide more feedback from the Base Station to the user.

John notes that the lack of feedback is especially acute when using a PPP connection: "If the PPP server has an authentication error, or the phone line is busy, the Airport software doesn't report this. You simply wait for an Internet connection that doesn't occur. You don't know if you configured AirPort Base Station incorrectly, or if the Base Station isn't working, or if ISP isn't responding."

Meanwhile, my AirPort Base Station continues to hum along just fine. My overall assessment now is that the Base Station is great if it sets up and works without any problems - which it often does. However, if any problems occur, trying to solve them will be about the least fun you can imagine having with your Mac. Hopefully, the updated software will improve on this.

By the way, the item in the AirPort software that says "Base Station Status: Not Connected" appears to refer only to a PPP connection. "Not connected" means that the Base Station is currently not connected to the Internet via a modem. It does not mean that you are not connected to the Base Station. If it does indicate you are connected, you can click the "Hangup" button to disconnect.

If you connect to the Internet via an Ethernet connection, the item will always say "Not Connected."

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