AirPort Utility, firmware, iOS app updated with new features
updated 03:42 pm EST, Thu February 7, 2013
Enables guest features on multi-point networks
Apple has posted a new version of AirPort Utility for the Mac. The tool is used to configure Wi-Fi networks created through Apple's Airport line of routers. The v6.2 update makes a couple of rare feature additions, one of which is the ability to extend guest Wi-Fi access across a network with multiple AirPort stations. To support the changes, a firmware update has been issued for some Airport models, and the iOS Airport Utility app has been updated.
In addition, the updates adds the ability to print to a Wi-Fi printer using WPS security. Apple says it has also "improved international support" for the software, but doesn't explain in detail what changes it made. AirPort Utility is a 20.64MB download and requires OS X 10.7.5 or later.
The firmware update is available for all 802.11n-capable Airport Extreme, Airport Express and Time Capsule models. It is necessary to support the new features, and Apple recommends that units already have at least Airport Utility 5.6 or later before updating the firmware. In order to configure the extended Guest network, users will need to have the new Airport Utility as well as be running OS X Lion 10.7.5 or later.
The iOS Airport Utility, which replicates the function of the desktop Airport Utility, has been updated to version 1.2 to reflect the new features as well. The updated version is now available on the iTunes App Store.
