Apple Answers MakBook Air Wireless Issues

Yesterday saw Apple posting a piece on its official website warning Mac users of problems regarding out-of-date AirPort base stations, mentioning possible networking issues with the newly-released MacBook Air. Apple has since pulled the warning post and updated it. Here's what you need to be on the lookout for, having acquired your very own MacBook Air laptop.

Apple notes that Air owners using an out-of-firmware-date non-Apple 802.11n wireless may experience issues when undergoing steps such as Remote Disc, Migration or Remote Install. Basically, a firmware update to your router should do the trick, but here's what the full post reads:

"MacBook Air: Remote Disc, Migration, or Remote Install Mac OS X and wireless 802.11n networks

Issue or symptom

If using a third-party (non-Apple) 802.11n wireless router that has out-of-date router firmware with your MacBook Air, you may experience issues with Remote Disc, Migration, or Remote Install Mac OS X.

Products affected

- MacBook Air
- Some third-party routers with out-of-date firmware

Solution

Make sure the firmware on your router is up-to-date. Contact the manufacturer of the router to obtain the latest firmware for that device."

Apple has never explicitly stated that "Remote Disc" could be used to boot the computer from an optical disc, but did confirm this with MacBook Air in a guided tour posted on the company's website. Specifically, it states that "you can even use it to install a new version of Mac OS X or reinstall the software that comes with MacBook Air."

Since installation of big Mac OS X upgrades normally require rebooting from an optical, Apple has indirectly revealed support for remote booting via Remote Disc. A while later, everything was crystal clear as Apple reps confirmed (at Macworld) that Remote Disc could indeed boot MacBook Air systems.

Naturally, remote booting implies accessing the AirPort hardware and other components, so everything has to be up to date.

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