Apple has released a fresh firmware update for users of wireless networking and backup solutions AirPort and Time Capsule. The firmware adds bug fixes and security enhancements to the new models, as well as older (802.11n) AirPort Extreme Base Station, AirPort Express, and Time Capsule models.

According to Apple, the update enables remote access to attached drives for both previous AirPort Extreme Base Station 802.11n models, as well as the first-generation Time Capsule. Since the newly-added dual-band broadcast support and guest networking features required hardware modifications, they are not available for older models. Apple explains exactly what the new firmware does for every user.

“This firmware update 7.4.1 is available for all 802.11n-based AirPort Extreme and AirPort Express base stations, as well as for all Time Capsules. For more information about installing firmware, see this article,” reads an Apple Support document.

Products Affected include “AirPort Extreme Base Station/802.11n, Time Capsule, AirPort Express with 802.11n, Time Capsule (Early 2009), AirPort Extreme (Early 2009), and Back to My Mac,” Apple says.

For AirPort Extreme (Early 2009) and Time Capsule (Early 2009) that ship with firmware 7.4, the firmware 7.4.1 update does the following, according to Apple:

- Resolves an issue in which a client computer may be disconnected when waking from sleep
- Addresses an issue in which redirecting SMTP port services may disable IP-layer networking
- Improves the reliability of Back to My Mac-based disk sharing
- Includes recent AirPort security updates.

The security content of Time Capsule and AirPort Base Station Firmware 7.4.1 is detailed in a separate article.

For users of an AirPort Extreme with 802.11n (Fast Ethernet), AirPort Extreme with 802.11n (Gigabit Ethernet), AirPort Express with 802.11n, or the original Time Capsule models, the firmware 7.4.1 update enables remote administration and remote access to compatible USB connected drives via Back to My Mac (except on AirPort Express), improves reliability when backing up to a Time Capsule via Time Machine and includes the same AirPort security updates, according to Apple.