garymum4d said:
As Apple are set up as an ADSL based system. (i.e. Software Update on a 56k Modem....I don't think so!)
Apple isn't set up with an ADSL setup... people connect to Apple's Software Update many different ways -- SDSL, ADSL, IDSL, cable modem, T1, T3, 56k, OC3, etc.
garymum4d said:
Why do they not make an Airport Base Station with the option of a built in ADSL modem?
Because then the people that use other kinds of connectivity would be screaming at Apple to make AirPort with built-in cable modem... or AirPort with built-in ISDN... or AirPort with built-in T1 router... as it goes today, most ISPs provide their customers with the proper modem to connect to their services. All people need to do is simply hook that modem up to the AirPort station via the WAN port, and use the other ethernet port to connect the AirPort to their network.
garymum4d said:
I use a Netgear wireless ADSL modem/router, this is fine but I cannot use my Airport Express to extend my network! So what I actually need is an plain ADSL modem linked into an Airport Base Station for the wireless network and then the Express would work fine.
If I understand this correctly, you're saying you have 3 pieces of equipment: your Netgear wireless ADSL modem/router, an AirPort base station, and an AirPort express. Why not connect the Netgear to the AirPort base station, and then extend it through the Express?
garymum4d said:
They offer the Airport Base Station with a 56K modem, but not an ADSL modem! That's just stupid.
Apple should offer an ADSL version of the Base Station, and they should also offer an INTERNAL ADSL modem for Mac's
Well, since most ADSL modems are external, as said before, you can just hook those up to the AirPort base station and off you go...
Maybe I'm not understanding your setup quite right -- but if you've got the Express, and you've got an ADSL modem/router (even if it is wireless, doesn't matter), then all you need is the AirPort base station, if you haven't got it already.
The problem I see with your setup is that Apple would need to offer a handful of differently-configured AirPort base stations with different kinds of built-in modems to appease everyone who uses a different service. As it is right now, the inclusion of a WAN port on the AirPort base station takes care of all this -- you can simply hook that up to your existing modem, which is usually provided by your ISP, and off you go -- no need for more internal parts.
If I'm misunderstanding something about your setup, please correct me!