iOS 5 ushers in a new “PC-free” era for Apple’s mobile devices, with Cupertino acknowledging that many owners are using their iPhone, iPad or iPod touch without a computer. To aid such users, the company has also released a new AirPort Utility app for setting up and managing their AirPort Extreme or Time Capsule without a computer as well.

Apple has just pushed out a free AirPort Utility app for iOS, which will help iOS 5 device users set up and manage their networks without the need for a Mac or PC. At this writing the app is only available to existing iOS 5 users, where it can be found by accessing your Wi-Fi network via the Settings app and tapping on the new “Manage this Network” button, which whisks you away to the App Store and presents the new app for download.

“Use AirPort Utility to manage your Wi-Fi network and AirPort base stations, including AirPort Express, AirPort Extreme and Time Capsule -- right from your iPad, iPhone or iPod touch,” the app description explains. “See a graphical overview of your Wi-Fi network and devices. Change base station and network settings, or manage advanced features such as security modes, wireless channels and more.”

According to the release notes for the app, you’ll need an 802.11n Wi-Fi base station to use the app, but thankfully that includes almost all of the models released in recent years. Features include the ability to restart or restore a base station, update the base station firmware when available, manage DHCP reservations and port mappings and easily access your IP address, DNS servers and router addresses.

AirPort Utility is a 4.5MB download and the free app is also universal so it works equally well on an iPhone, iPod touch or iPad. Of course, the app requires iOS 5, which should start rolling out to users today.

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