Use AirPort Utility to set up and manage your 802.11n and 802.11ac AirPort base stations, including AirPort Express, Extreme, and Time Capsule. AirPort Utility 6.3 allows you to configure and manage the new AirPort Extreme and AirPort Time Capsule with 802.11ac Wi-Fi, and includes enhanced remote management capabilities.
I see no value in a utility that cannot access the devices it is supposed to manage.
Summary
After installing version 6.3, the utility no longer sees either my Extreme base station or my Express extension.
Use version 5.6 instead, works with BOTH g and n Wi-Fi
zunipus
Pros
If you like minimized iOS style apps in Mac OS X Lion, here you go!
Cons
Despite the simplification and minimization of settings and services in v6.0, there is no Setup Assistant and it a lot of users are finding it to be confusing as well as frustrating. I personally have no use for version 6.0 and use version 5.6 instead.
Summary
NOTE: Airport Utility version 6.0 is ONLY for Mac OS X Lion. Accompanying Firmware Update 7.6.1 is ONLY for n Wi-Fi Airport devices.
Apple released Airport Utility versions 5.6 and 6.0 at the same time along side Firmware Update 7.6.1 for n Wi-Fi type Airport devices. They also released accompanying documentation that has confused A LOT of people as to what is what and for what. Several of us up at Apple's discussion boards have worked to sort out the actual situation. Here is a quick summary of what we found:
1) No one requires Airport Utility version 6.0. You can entirely skip it if you don't like it. There is nothing special about it apart from it being based upon the interface for the iOS version of Airport Utility.
2) Airport Utility v5.6 is completely functional with BOTH g AND n Airport devices. This is the version to use if you want to keep full functionality control on BOTH types of Airport devices. It's that simple. You don't require version 6.0 for anything at all, but you can use it if you like it.
3) You can install BOTH versions 6.0 and 5.6 on your Mac. They don't overwrite each other. They work fine together.
4) Despite Apple's odd documentation, you CAN install Firmware Update 7.6.1 from Airport Utility version 5.6 or even earlier.
5) Airport Utility v6.0 brings with it newly updated Apple Help. Sadly, the Help has some errors and does not reconcile the differences between v6.0 and v5.6. The result is user confusion. Not good.
IOW: Just download and install Airport Utility version 5.6 and nothing changes except the added iCloud functionality and bug fix in Firmware Update 7.6.1. I personally have no use for version 6.0 and won't be using it at all.
VERY POOR SHOW APPLE. This is how to update and document things the WRONG WAY. But thank you for Airport Utility version 5.6, the REAL update, as well as Firmware Update v7.6.1 ! ! !
Very good for n-routhers, but g-routers unsupported
KerryGinn--2008
Pros
New, attractive graphics display the local area network configuration. Clicking on a node brings up a chart with more details.
Cons
Oddly, Airport Utility version 6.0 no longer supports g-routers (or older). It advises users to use AirPort Utility 5.6 instead. It offers a link to the Apple site to obtain the older version, but that link does not actually go to the download page.
Upon its first use, Airport Utility signaled that an Airport Express firmware update was available, which I elected to install. At the end of the firmware installation, Airport Utility (not the firmware) never showed that the Airport Express had rebooted and was active.
Summary
Airport Utility 6.0. installed flawlessly through Software Update. The lack of support for earlier routers is an unpleasant surprise.
Good and OK
Gharanizadeh
Pros
useful and valuable
Cons
Pretty good
Summary
Excellent
The system works a lot faster now
rickster24
Pros
It takes out the bugs that was there before and runs smoother