Using external wireless devices

2 years + later & into version 2.4.560 can’t use with USB AC dongle.

If I may comment as relatively new user of NetSpot professional …

I suggest to be a bit more open regarding issues related to introduction of features like this. Often users not familiar with internals of Apple OS’es, policies etc can’t understand why it’s sometimes so hard to support stuff from outside of the Apple world, implement features Apple haven’t meant to be implemented etc. And it leads to (unnecessary) frustration from users, but not pointed to the reality (Apple), but to the developers.

As I understand at the moment (correct me if I’m wrong) it is possible to use external interfaces, but these have to use AirPort API and export all necessary info to it. And there is a (internal) test tool available to test capabilities of devices. No? Is there a reason why such tool isn’t public?

Also a word about “coming next features” announcements. I understand that developers want to share some info about future – ie “yes, we are implementing all this stuff”. But again, fo example I see a lot of promises has been made in the 2.1 release notes – WiSpy support, predictive surveys, external devices support. We all (me too) would like to see it. And don’t get me wrong – at least from my point of view I never make buying decisions based on promises. And I understand that it takes time to implement all this, but again – users are just seeing unfulfilled promises.

Just think about it, please ;).

But back to the topic.

I don’t think that there is a chance to support external adapters in this way. AFAIK Apple airport API supports very limited set of Broadcom PCI(e) chips and that’s it. I’ve never heard of any USB WiFi device working out of the box for MacOSX. It’s always third party drivers + their own network utility.

Of course the problem with third party is that you have to connect with API they provide and these are probably with different vendors. I’d think about trying to make contact with some MacOSX friendly third party vendor and focusing on that. For example ASUS is a one making MacOSX drivers for USB WiFi adapters and has (relatively ;) good reputation and quality.

And of course there is a Wi-Spy. Although damn expensive (I don’t even see the price listed any more in the Metageek site :), it’s something many of us (semi)pros would use probably.

Add another vote for supporting external (USB) WIFI adapters.

When my trusty Apple Airport Extreme finally died after many years of faithful service I decided to go with an Asus RT-AC68U and I love it. I just wish I could fully utilize its AC speed with my macs.

After spending several days trying to track down a workable alternative from one of the major vendors I finally found the “Netis WF2190 AC1200 Dual Band USB Wireless Adapter.” I know that Apple is rolling their computer line to using 801.11ac but that leaves the older hardware (like my late 2012 mini and late 2010 macbook Air) with nothing better than N.

I had never heard of Netis before but I applaud them for going where Netgear, D-Link and the rest seem unwilling to go. Since I doubt that Apple will ever make an external adapter I am sure there will soon be more people in my situation.

>Is this Netis adapter AirPort compatible?

It seems so: http://www.netis-systems.com/en/products/Dualband-Series/904.html#.VSZjEVzMeM4

System Requirements:
Windows XP (32/64bits), Windows Vista (32/64bits),
Windows 7 (32/64bits), Windows 8 (32/64bits),
Windows 8.1 (32/64bits);
Linux (as Ubuntu 12.10/13.04/13.10/14.10);
Mac OS 10.4/10.5/10.6/10.7/10.8/10.9/10.10

It’s surely beneficial to add support of external adapters to NetSpot, we just haven’t come across any Airport-compatible ones. Even this Netis one seems to require it’s own driver and not a single word about support of Airport framework. Jakob, do you have our test utility to verify that?