<P> The AirPort Extreme is a residential gateway product from Apple Inc. combining the functions of a router, network switch, wireless access point and NAS as well as varied other functions, and one of Apple's AirPort products . The latest model, the 6th generation, supports 802.11 ac networking in addition to older standards . Versions of the same system with a built - in network - accessible hard drive are known as the AirPort Time Capsule . </P> <P> The name "AirPort Extreme" originally referred to any one of Apple's AirPort products that implemented the (then) newly introduced 802.11 g Wi - Fi standard, differentiating it from earlier devices that ran the slower 802.11 a and b standards . At that time the gateway part of this lineup was known as the AirPort Extreme Base Station . With the addition of the even faster Draft - N standards in early 2009 this naming was dropped, and from then on only the gateway has been known as the AirPort Extreme . Several minor upgrades followed, mostly to change antenna and power in the Wi - Fi . In 2013, a major upgrade added 802.11 ac support and more internal antennas . </P>

What is the apple airport extreme used for