The AirPort Base Station is a dedicated hardware access point. It contains a 56 Kbps modem and a 10 BASE-T (10 MB per second) Ethernet port for connecting to a phone line, cable modem, DSL modem, or local area network for terrestrial Internet access. See Notes 1 and 2.
3. Wireless Internet access requires an Internet service provider (fees may apply) and AirPort (or AirPort-compatible) wireless Ethernet card and base station. Some ISPs are not compatible with AirPort. For more information, see technical document 106590: "AirPort: Requirements for Wireless Internet Access".
Up to ten AirPort enabled computers can communicate with an AirPort Base Station up to 50 m away. (More than ten users can connect to a base station, but ten users is the recommended limit based upon optimum performance.)
With AirPort-enabled computers and an AirPort Base Station, you can create a wireless network in your home, office, or classroom. You can also add more base stations to provide coverage for your entire location.
A. Modem port (RJ-11), B. AC power, C. 10 BASE-T Ethernet port (RJ-45)
Figure 1 AirPort Base Station
Notes:
1. Modem data speeds up to 56 Kbps. Download speeds vary with line conditions and your ISP's modem capabilities.
2. The AirPort Base Station will not function on a 100 BASE-T (100 MB per second) network.
3. Wireless Internet access requires an Internet service provider (fees may apply) and AirPort (or AirPort-compatible) wireless Ethernet card and base station. Some ISPs are not compatible with AirPort. For more information, see technical document 106590: "AirPort: Requirements for Wireless Internet Access".