The Way It Should Be

So, I've had this old P.O.S. Linksys router for about 3 years (it replaced another Linksys router I had for 4 years), and it was on the way out.

I had to "reset" it 3 or 4 times a week (unplug/re-plug) - and I was just done with it. So, I was in the market for a new router.

I'm absolutely LOVING my Macbook Pro (some people have accused me of being an overzealous fanboi - which I am) - so I thought I'd give the Airport Extreme a try.

Now, I've set up a few routers in my day - and it's not pretty. There are 1,000,000 arcane settings - so I had screen shots of all the router settings, my ISP settings handy and had poured a nice glass of wine - knowing that I was in for a long night.

I unpacked the router, installed the software (<>

Oh crap. Here we go...

I guzzled some wine, then opened the configuration utility. It showed the device, so I clicked on it and it asked if I was setting up a new network, was extending an existing one, or replacing an existing router.

I told it I was replacing an existing router - and it had a list of all the previous connections. It told me to pick my old one - which I did - and then clicked "Continue."

I was so busy gathering up all the screen shots and print outs - that it took me 5 minutes to notice the software said: "Airport Extreme configured."

WHAT THE?

I clicked "Continue" and the router restarted in 20 seconds. It glowed a fabulous green and the Macbook just automatically recognized it (it even kept the old SID [network] name).

Whoa. Cool!

BUT - there was a problem. The network was wide open. So, I re-launched the configuration utility and clicked "Continue" a couple of times to get to the security settings. I chose the security protocol, entered a password and the router restarted itself again.

Then the Mac asked for the new password - which I entered - and BAM - connection was made.

So far, so good. I had expected as much - Apple router + Apple hardware + Apple OS = easy.

BUT - there was another problem. I have a few PCs here - as well wireless printers, iPhones, etc. I knew the iPhone and the printer were going to be OK - but I was really dreading getting the XP computers to connect to the new network.

After a healthy swig of wine - I tried the first one... changed the security protocol, entered the new password... and prayed.

IT WORKED. The first time.

Next was the 2nd XP machine. Same thing! Then the iPhones - easy. Then the printer - a snap.

I installed a new router with almost ZERO configuration, added a Mac and 3 PCs, 2 printers and 2 iPhones to the network in 20 MINUTES (not HOURS, minutes!).

The Airport Extreme was about $75 more than a new Linksys would have been - and I was careful with the packaging in case (probably) I had to return it... but I have to honestly say - I have never in my 20 years in working with computers - have had such an absolutely painless router install.

Now, that's the way it SHOULD be!