This article explains the extent to which the AirPort wireless networking system works with older Macintosh computers.

Although Apple has designed the AirPort wireless network system specifically for current products, older Apple products with a PCMCIA (PC) card slot may be able to use the AirPort system using a third party wireless interface card such as the Lucent WaveLAN or Farallon SkyLINE. For more information about this topic, refer to article 58533: " AirPort 1.1: Base Station Extras Folder Contents ".

Any Ethernet capable Macintosh can run the AirPort Admin Utility version 1.1 or later to configure a Base Station.

Macintosh computers without a PC card slot can communicate with the AirPort Base Station via Ethernet.

The following information should help clarify compatibility.

AirPort Base Station

A Macintosh or PC with an 802.11 DSSS compliant wireless interface card and the appropriate software can access the AirPort Base Station to share the wireless connection to the Internet or other device on the wireless network.

Note: If you are using a non-Apple 802.11 DSSS interface card, verify full AirPort compatibility with the vendor of the card.

Any Ethernet-capable Macintosh Can Use AirPort Admin Utility Software

Any Ethernet-capable Macintosh that is connected to the Base Station via Ethernet or an Apple AirPort card can run the AirPort Admin Utility version 1.1 or later to configure a Base Station. To use the AirPort Admin Utility, copy the Base Station Extras folder to the Macintosh from which you wish to use the utility. Note that the AirPort software does not have to be installed on the Macintosh (in fact, it cannot be installed on some Macintosh computers). For more information on how to use AirPort Admin Utility software to configure a Base Station from a non-AirPort-Capable computer, see article 58584: " AirPort: Configuring a Base Station With a non-AirPort-Capable Computer "

AirPort Card

The Apple AirPort card currently works with only these Apple computers:

• iBook - all models
• PowerBook (FireWire)
• Power Mac G4 - AGP Graphics, Gigabit Ethernet, and Cube models
• iMac - Slot Loading and Summer 2000 models