The Book of Wireless, Second Edition

Connecting Macintosh Clients to Other Networks

Apple hopes that most Macintosh users will use their AirPort Cards to connect their computers through an AirPort Extreme to other Macs. But that's not the only possible way to use a wireless network with a Macintosh. Because the Setup Assistant automates the process, it's easier to connect Macs to an AirPort Extreme network than it is to build a mixed-platform wireless network that can use access points, network adapters, and configuration software from different sources. AirPort Extreme Cards do meet the Wi-Fi specification for interoperability, so they can also communicate with Wi-Fi access points made by many other manufacturers (and in ad hoc networks with other Wi-Fi adapters). Therefore, it ...