Apple releases AirPort 4.1, new AE 6.1 firmware

Apple today released AirPort 4.1 for Mac OS X 10.3, which supports all models of Apple AirPort base stations including the AirPort Extreme and AirPort Express models. It now supports Keyspan Express Remote for use with AirTunes (AirPort Express only), adds support for WPA security on WDS networks, and offers the ability to rename a USB printer connected to a base station. Apple also released AirPort Express 6.1 firmware, which includes support for the Keyspan Express Remote, USB printer renaming, WPA security on WDS networks, improved reliability on WDS networks, the ability to disable either the wireless/Ethernet interfaces, better audio playback for AirTunes, performance improvements, and several fixes related to PPOE, DNS traffic, device freezes, a variety of IP protocols, and more. [AirPort 4.1, AE 6.1] [updated]

The AirPort Express 6.1 updated is now packaged in a new utility application that simplifies the process of installing firmware updates. This application is available for use on Mac OS X 10.3 or later. New features include:

• Support for Keyspan Express Remote - You can now use a Keyspan Express Remote to control AirTunes.
  
  
• USB printer renaming - USB printers connected to the AirPort Express can now be renamed by using the AirPort Admin Utility (version 4.1 or later).
  
  
• WPA security for WDS networks - WDS networks comprising AirPort Extreme and AirPort Express base stations can now be secured with WPA-Personal security. All AirPort Extreme and AirPort Express units must be upgraded to the latest AirPort Extreme 5.5 or AirPort Express 6.1 firmware before the network can be secured with WPA
  
  
• Improved reliability for WDS networks - WDS nodes will now check for the presence of other WDS nodes. This should result in better WDS network connectivity. All AirPort Extreme and AirPort Express units must be upgraded to the AirPort Extreme 5.5 or AirPort Express 6.1 firmware
  
  
• Ability to disable the AirPort wireless interface - If you have your AirPort Express connected to an ethernet network for use with audio and printing features, you can now turn off the AirPort wireless interface if you do not wish to have a wireless network
  
  
• Ability to disable the ethernet interface - When the AirPort Express is configured as a wireless client, the ethernet interface is non-functional. You can now completely disable it so that ethernet connections will not recognize a link from the ethernet port on the AirPort Express. This setting will also disable the ethernet port when the AirPort Express is used as a WDS Relay or WDS Remote node
  
  
• The 6.1 firmware improves reliability of playing AirTunes audio through the AirPort Express
  
  
• In certain situations wireless clients could send certain types of data which could cause the AirPort Express to stop transmitting data. This issue is fixed in the 6.1 firmware
  
  
• The 6.1 firmware fixes performance and other concerns related to FTP, RTSP, IPSec, TCP, UDP, and other IP protocols
  
  
• Certain DNS traffic could affect the AirPort Express performance. This issue is improved in the 6.1 firmware
  
  
• Certain PPPoE connections (commonly used with DSL ISPs) could encounter a situation where the AirPort Extreme could not communicate with the ISP, requiring the base station and/or the ISP's modem to be rebooted. This issue is improved in the 6.1 firmware
  
  
• Improved behavior when AirPort Express is configured as a wireless client and is joining a WEP-secured wireless network
  
  
• Improved printing performance when printing to USB printers connected to the AirPort Express
  
  
• Certain IP ports that were not actively used have been disabled
  

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