Apple Releases AirPort and Time Capsule Firmware Update: Adds Remote File Access to Older Models

Apple today released Time Capsule and AirPort Base Station (802.11n) Firmware 7.4.1, bringing bug fixes and security enhancements to the just-released models, as well as older 802.11n-capable AirPort Extreme Base Station, AirPort Express, and Time Capsule models.

Notably, the update also enables remote access to attached drives for both previous AirPort Extreme Base Station 802.11n models as well as the first-generation Time Capsule. (The dual-band broadcast support and guest networking features also added to the newly-released models require hardware modifications, and are thus not available for older models.) Apple's support document provides additional details on the release.

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

- 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

For AirPort Extreme with 802.11n (Fast Ethernet), AirPort Extreme with 802.11n (Gigabit Ethernet), AirPort Express with 802.11n, and 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
- Includes recent AirPort security updates

The security enhancements included with the update are detailed in a separate support document.

The firmware update is currently available via the AirPort Utility setup and management application. Users should be sure to update to the recently-released AirPort Utility 5.4.1 before attempting to update their base station's firmware.