Extending Network With Skh HD, Time Capsule 1TB and Airport Express

Hi,
I'm struggling to achieve what I thought to be an easy setup process.
*What I want to achieve?:*
* Ground Floor - Sky HD Router with Sky Wireless Network & Time Capsule 1 TB(choice to connect Time Capsule by either WAN Ethernet or over wi-fi?)
* First Floor - IMac and MacMini connected wirelessly, along with Airport Express to extend wireless network
* Loft - Apple TV connected to Cinema setup, with need to be able to connect to Sky HD Wireless network
Note/Problenms: It doesn't appear to be possible to extend the Sky HD Wireless Network via Time Capsule using the wireless option? Error reads "not able to extend wireless network etc...". Secondly, as a result the WiFi signal in the Loft for the Apple TV HD is 50% approx. The download speeds for movies etc is also sufficiently slow that repeat buffering is required. Not ideal.
*Current Setup:*
* Ground Floor - TC connected to Sky HD Router via WAN Ethernet cable. Creating New Network, named exactly the same as the original Sky HD Wireless Network e.g. "SKY08323"
* First Floor - IMac and MacMini connected wirelessly to SKY08323 network. Airport Express connected wirelessly to same network.
*Possible Enhancement?*
I've tried a couple of times to extend the range of the Wireless network. I First tried to do this as explained by extending the Sky HD Router network wirelessly (not possible it seems). I then connected via Wan Ethernet and setup TC and AirPort Express to interact over a WDS. TC = Main Base Station and AirPort Express = Relay Station. This seemed to setup ok but once both were restarted both TC and AE were flashing Amber and AE was no longer visible in Airport Utility.
If someone would be kind enough just to outline a step by step approach for setting up my Sky Network and being able to extend it via TC and AE, then I would be really grateful.
Many thanks and Happy New Year!
Eugene

If someone would be kind enough just to outline a step by step approach for setting up my Sky Network and being able to extend it via TC and AE, then I would be really grateful.
As you have surmised, you will NOT be able to extend the wireless range of your Sky HD Router with the Time Capsule (TC) ... at least not wirelessly.
You basically have two options: 1) Run Ethernet between the ground floor and the loft, or 2) Consider deploying Powerline adapters. These adapters take advantage of your home's electrical circuit to create a pseudo Ethernet one.
In either case, the two routers would be interconnected by Ethernet and the TC could be place in the loft. You would then reconfigure the TC as a bridge to allow the Sky router to continue to provide both the NAT & DHCP services for all network clients regardless of which router they are connected to. In addition, you would configure the TC to use the same Network Name & wireless security type so that, for example, you could roam with a wireless laptop between floors and still be on the "same" network.

Similar Messages

Time Capsule (Tower) and Airport Express

I have a new Time Capsule (Tower) and want to extend the range in my house using an Airport Express. However, I cannot get the A/E to connect, and I cannot see the A/E when I open the Airport Utility. What am I doing wrong. Thanks.

Unfortunately, extending using wireless is going to result in a significant speed reduction on the network.
Power off both AirPort Express devices
Wait a minute
Power up the A1264 for a minute or two
Hold in the reset button on the Express for 8-10 seconds and release
Allow a full minute for the Express to restart to a slow, blinking amber light
On your Mac, click on the AirPort icon at the top of the screen
Click on AirPort Express under the setting of New AirPort Base Station
The setup utility will open up. Follow the prompts
Set up the other Express the same way.

TIme Capsule 2TB and Airport Express Base Station

Hi,
just received a new mac book pro, time capsule and airport express. I already had a older imac (Early 2008).
my goal is to connect everything in a wifi at the highest possible speed. The airport express servers also as a itunes connection to my stereo.
I followed basic instruction, all is working except that I can't have the speed a 5GHz (I verify the speed by holding the alt key and clicking on the wireless icon in the menubar) I have n but at 2.4GHz.
what are the correct settings for this. I noticed that if I do not have the possibility to set radio modus to n 5GHz only. the version of airport configuration program that came with the time capsule is 5.5 and the time capsule is on 7.5 the airport express on 7.4.2.
thanks for helping on this.
Message was edited by: dannykite
Message was edited by: dannykite

This looks like you held down the "option" key while you clicked on the Airport icon at the top of your screen.
You were asking about different Radio Modes for the Time Capsule
Open AirPort Utility - Click Manual Setup
Click the Wireless tab located just below the row of icons
Now you will see the wireless settings.
Hold down the option key when you click on the Radio Mode selection box to see more choices.

Time Capsule green and Airport Express blinking amber

I replaced my AEBX with a Time Capsule and now the AEX configured as an extender blinks amber continuously. Bringing up AirPort Utility and following the AU help instructions to find out why the blinking amber, shows that the AEX is operating normally. In fact, the little faux LED to the left of the AEX icon shows green while the real LED is blinking amber.
The AEX was solid green before installing the TC.
Anyone else seen this? Anyone know what's going on?

I cannot get Airport Utility to see both my Time Capsule and my Airport Express at the same time. When I disconnected from the Time Capsule network it saw the AEx but repeatedly said there was a problem configuring the device. So I am stuck.

Data rate slows over time: Using Time Capsule (4th) and AirPort Express (1st)

Time Capsule using Airport Express to extend network.
Over 3-4 days my data rate gradually gets slower and slower until I have to reboot both TC and AE.
Fresh reboot gets me 10Mbs or better for a while and then slows over time to 2Mbs or less.
I can cable directly to the ISP modem, taking TC and AE out of the equation, and its smokin fast
No hair left to pull out, so any help or suggestions would be appreciated.
Time Capsule (4th gen) - Model A1409
Version - 7.6.4
Wireless Mode: Create a wireless network
Wireless Security: WPA2
Channel: 149 (Automatic), 11 (Automatic)
Allow this network to be extended is checked
Radio Mode: Automatic
Multicast Rate: Low
Transmit Power: 100%
Use wide channels is checked
Guest Network is NOT enabled
Mac Address Access Control: Not Enabled
Connection Sharing: Share a public address
Using DHCP
One printer attached to Time Capsule
Airport Express (1st gen) - Model A1143
Version 7.6.4
Wireless Mode: Extend a wireless network
Wireless Security: WPA2
Channel: 11 (Automatic)
Mac Address Access Control: Not Enabled
Using DHCP

You have your wireless channels on auto.. it is usually better to control it.
You will notice I have different names for 2.4ghz and 5ghz.. then I can force the link to either band.
After you set Radio Channel selection to Manual,, click edit. You can then set the channels.
Lock the channels.. ie you take control and you set what the wireless channels will be.. when you extend wireless this works far better. The auto channel system has to run on the Extender.. but since the main base is fixed on the 2.4ghz so it will be also.. the only channel that can flap around is 5ghz (extender) since that is not under my control. Of course it is up to you to determine which channel works best.. I strongly recommend the upper channels for 2.4ghz and the lower channels for 5ghz.
So.. I have set 5ghz to 48 on the main base.. and the auto channel sets it to 149 in the extender.
One strange thing results from my setup .. (amongst many!!)
You cannot name the wireless for 5ghz in the extender.. so in my case the upstairs wireless extender has both 2.4ghz and 5ghz named TC24ghz.. nought that I can do about it. But it is not a big deal.
You can see the result in the wireless diagnostics. The last wireless I have put in the box.. it is named TC24ghz but is in fact running on 5ghz. That is just how the over automated system of the apple routers work.. If I could I would fix it.. and maybe shall via serial console at a later date.

Time capsule printing and airport express

Just set up a TC and am having a couple of problems:
1) Cannot print. At first I got a message that the printer could not be found. Went back and reinstalled the printer with correct driver (would not accept auto setup)...now get a message that printing is complete but nothing prints.
2) Airport Express. On setup, Airport Utility detects both TC and AE. I set up TC and then reconfigure AE to join the wireless network. AE either disappears from Airport Utility or looks as if it is OK, but won't work with iTunes. AE did work with iTunes before I got the TC.
Any suggestions?

Iann wrote:
First off - I'm not overly knowledgeable about networking. I have relied on the simplicity of everything for years and it has just worked - until today!
I had a perfectly good dlink router, four or more computers all hooked up to the internet as well as a wireless printer and via Airport Express a color laser, and my iTunes could, via Airport Express, pump music into two spots as well as through my Apple TV. Fantastic!
Sadly - as soon as I plugged in a Time Capsule directly to the cable modem, I could not print from any computer - (although early on I could print on both printers from mine) Now -nada . The Airport Expresses are flashing amber and I am lost. I unplugged my old dlink figuring they would all see the new Time Capsule and automatically do whatever they needed to do. One of the printers is wireless on its own ( no Airport Express) and it doesn't work either on any computer.
It sounds like the first thing you need to do is to reconfigure your AirPort Express units to work with the Time Capsule. The first thing I'd do is to connect to each one with AirPort Utility and do a File/"Save a Copy As" operation to save the configuration details in case you need to restore them. The next step depends on the model(s) of the AirPort Express units. If they are all model A1264 units, then things will be a lot simpler. If any of them are A1084 or A1088 models, then things will be a little more complicated, requiring you to configure things as a "WDS" network.

Force 802.11ac Connection To Time Capsule Rather Than Airport Express

I have a new Time Capsule and a new retina Macbook Pro, both with 802.11ac.
The Time Capsule is in my main room and my rMBP is in my offce. In between my office is the kitchen which has an Airport Express. The reason I have the Airport Express in the kitchen is because some devices such as iPads and iPhones have a hard time connecting to the Time Capsule, so the Airport Express extends the network.
The rMBP has no such problems. However, because the AE is closer, it stays connected to the AE rather than the TC. This of course means I don't get any 802.11ac advantages.
How can I force the rMBP to connect to the TC and ignore the AE?

LaPastenague had good advice for you. All that you need to do is use AirPort Utility to enable the option to assign a different name to the 5 GHz band on the Time Capsule.
Then, move your MBP close to the Time Capsule and "point" your MBP to that network. Then, check to insure that you have the MBP configured to connect to the 5 GHz network first in the connection priority list.
Open System Preferences (gear icon on the dock)
Open Network
Click on WiFi on the left
Click Advanced at the lower right
Make sure that the 5 GHz network name is at the top of the connection order list. If it's not, drag it there
Make sure that there is a check mark in the box next to "Remember networks this computer has joined"
No other boxes should be checked
Click OK
Click Apply
Close the windows
Note.....As you know, 5 GHz signals are much weaker than 2.4 GHz signals, so 5 GHz works best when wireless devices are in the same room, close proximity, or have line of sight with each other. If there are several walls or other obstructions in the signal path between the Time Capsule and MBP, the Mac may not connect at high speeds.

Time Capsule vs. Airport Express via Ethernet

Air;ort Express is connected to a DSL modem with an Ethernet cable. Time Machine is in turn connected directly to my MacBook Pro, again by Ethernet. Obviously something here is wrong, since the Time Machine persist in showing a blinking yellow light.
I think that this used to work but no longer. How did I sdrew up?

Does that in turn suggest that I should connect the Time Capsule directly to Airport Express?
when possible always run ethernet.. it is fast and reliable.. only when there is no other choice use wireless to link routers.. it is always poor.
You can use wireless from laptop to the Express or the TC.. that is fine.. but keep the wireless usage to something close and just once.. no double hop over wireless.
If you have ethernet there, use it.
Simply put the TC in bridge mode.. that is router bridge.
And make sure you are creating a wireless network on the TC.. same name and same security setting and password as the Express.. then the laptop can connect to whichever it is nearest to.
If you need complete diagrams or screenshots just ask.
life is a lot more complicated than it was when I bought my first 128K Mac in 1984.
Not always.. networking with modems and telephone wires was not always fun.. !!
You forget what it was like 30years ago.. !!
I started about that time but could never afford Macs. When I think of all the money I spent on computer gear over the years it is frightening.
Instructions here for roaming network since Apple has none up to date.
Setting Up Roaming - New AirPort Extremes and Utility

How do I extend an existing wireless network with a 2nd time capsule? I want to tether them with a gigabit ethernet connection.

I am having trouble with extending a wireless network using 2 timecapsules (1 is 1 terrbyte hdd, the other has a 2TB HDD.) The first one is connected to the WAN (cable modem) and our LAN. I would like to connect the 2nd one to the ethernet LAN and have it 'rebroadcast' the 1st ones wireless n network in order to expand the overall range of the network. Your help is very much appreciated.

Suggest that you download and install the much more useful AirPort Utility 5.6 for Mac OS X Lion.
I assume that Time Capsule 1 is operating correctly at this time.
Open Macintosh HD > Applications > Utilities > AirPort Utility 5.6
Select Time Capsule 1 and click Manual Setup
Click the Wireless tab below the row of icons and make a note of each of the setttings on this Wireless page.
Make sure that the Ethernet cable is connected to the WAN "O" port on Time Capsule 2.
Open up AirPort Utility and select Time Capsule 2 and click Manual Setup
Click the Wireless tab below the icons and enter the exact same settings that you wrote down for Time Capsule 1
Click the Internet icon, then click the Internet Connection tab
Make sure that the settings look like this:
Connect Using = Ethernet
Connection Sharing = Off (Bridge Mode)
Click Update and allow 25-30 seconds for Time Capsule 2 to restart to a green light
Very important......perform a power cycle of the entire network as follows:
Power off every device in any order that you wish
Wait a minute
Power up the modem and let it run for minute by itself
Power up Time Capsule 1 the same way
Power up Time Capsule 2 the same way
Continue starting devices one at a time the same way until the entire network is back up

Extend both main and guest networks with a 2nd Time Capsule?

I have a 4th generation 2TB Time Capsule set up to broadcast primary and guest networks. I am running out of storage. I would like to increase my storage and I would also like to extend both primary and guest networks.
I currently use an older Linksys router (WRT330N) operating in bridge mode (wired connection to the TC) to extend the primary network, but it does not extend the guest network.
If I purchase a second (5th generation) Time Capsule to replace the Linksys, can it be set up to extend both the primary and guest networks?
From searching the forum, it appears not, but I'd like to confirm. Is true for both both wireless and cabled range extension options?
If I'm not able to extend the guest network this way, I'm inclined to settle for extending the primary network as I currently do and look for other ways to increase my network storage capacity (e.g. by upgrading the drive in my existing TC).

If I purchase a second (5th generation) Time Capsule to replace the Linksys, can it be set up to extend both the primary and guest networks?
Yes, either using wireless or an Ethernet connection between the two Time Capsules, providing that the 4th Gen Time Capsule is running at least firmware version 7.6.3.
A wired Ethernet connection between the two Time Capsules is highly recommended. If you plan to extend using wireless, the second Time Capsule will need to be located where it can receive a very good signal from the first.

How can I add a Time Capsule 3TB to a network with an older Time Capsule 2TB?

I have a 2010 Macbook Pro with 500 GB HD and a 2013 Macbook Pro with 1TB HD. I am using Mavericks and will migrate to OS X Yosemite when it becomes available. I tried backing both up with my older Time Capsule with 2 TB of space but it isn't enough. So, today I bought the new Time Capsule 3 TB to add on to my network. I want to use both TCs in order to have 5 TB for backup.
I have a Brother printer and my Comcast Cable Modem connected to the old Time Capsule. I also have an Apple TV with 1080p HD that uses the internet wirelessly through the old Time Capsule.
My first question is what should connect to what and in what order? Should the new TC connect directly to the old TC and if so, with what cable?
My 2nd question is: Can I move several 100 GB of old data that I rarely use onto the 3TB TC so that I could access the data from either computer whenever I need it, without having the data on either computer?
Thank you.

This is a pretty easy setup.
Basically just plug the new TC WAN port into the old TC LAN port.
Run the airport utility on the computer and it should recognise that the new TC is plugged into another one.. and setup bridge mode and create a wireless network.. if not you can jump in and edit it at the end of the setup.
You could also swap things around with the new TC as the main router.. and the old one as the secondary.. but people are experiencing some issues with WAN connection to some cable modems.. so you need to be prepared if you have issues to go back to the original setup.
You will use an ethernet patch cable to connect them. I recommend if you have them in the same area place them at least a couple of meters apart.. so buy a 2-3M patch cable at least.. (8-9ft). Even better would be to install the new TC closer to the clients that will use it.. to improve wireless in dark corners of your house.. but all that can come later.
My 2nd question is: Can I move several 100 GB of old data that I rarely use onto the 3TB TC so that I could access the data from either computer whenever I need it, without having the data on either computer?
This is a lot harder question.. not in how to do it.. it is simple.. copy and paste files onto the new TC.. that is not the issue..
The problem is backup of the files that no longer exist on the computers. Ironically the TC is problematic for one major reason.. it cannot back itself up.. nor can Time Machine (TM) backup network drives. Even though TM uses the TC to store the backup it cannot actually work to backup the TC. The problems are not insurmountable.. you can use a third party backup.. eg CCC but it will be extremely slow. A better strategy if one of your computers is a desktop is to install an external drive and share it to the network. The data rate will be hugely better.. and TM can backup as per normal.

Wireless printing with time capsule 1tb and new wireless all in one printer

I am having problems with printing wirelessly from my time capsule 1tb. I currently have a hp 5510v office all in one printer and drivers can not be found to support printing wirelessly however it can print via usb. What I need is help in picking out a new all in one printer that can print wirelessly from time capsule 1tb. Please help

Hi,
my hp photosmart C6180 all in one works flawlessly with it plugged in to my time capsule all functions.
I used to have it set up using it wirelessly from the printer however for some reason after a update (i think) it stopped working & would not print so had to plug in to time capsule.
Dave

I've extended my Time Capsule wifi via Airport Express and the download speed is still super slow

I get an average of 80Mbps download speed when close to the Time Capsule. When I got upstairs in the house the download speed drastically drops. So I decided to extend the wifi range using an Airport Express. See image below. I've placed the Express router upstairs in the house and when I stand close to the Express I get a very slow download speed. About 7Mbps. Even slower than when I hadn't "extended" the range. What's going on...?

I've placed the Express router upstairs in the house and when I stand close to the Express I get a very slow download speed. About 7Mbps. Even slower than when I hadn't "extended" the range. What's going on...?
Well, the first rule that you need to remember is that when you "extend" using wireless.....you will have a drop in the potential speed on the network. So, while you might have more "range" for the network, the network speed will drop. Nothing that you can really do about that other than connect the Time Capsule and AirPort Express using a wired Ethernet connection. There will be no speed loss over the Ethernet cable, so the Express should deliver approximately the same speed as the Time Capsule.
The next rule is that when a device "extends" using wireless, it can only extend the quality and speed of the signal that it receives. A speed "boost" will not appear.
Try locating the Express about half way between the Time Capsule and the area that needs more wireless coverage. Anything that you can do to minimize obstructions between the Time Capsule and Express and on to the other area will help.....but you will never get close to the performance of connecting the AirPorts using an wired Ethernet cable.
Unfortunately, Apple really doesn't tell you very clearly, if at all, about important things like the two rules above.

Time Capsule not recognizing Airport Express Base

I'm trying to use AE base an extender in my TC network. I'm running 7.5.2 on the TC and have the wireless mode set as 'Participate in a WDS Network'. I did a factory reset on the AE and was finally able to have it come up and be recognized by the TC. I went through set up and added it to my network. Then it said it needed to restart but it never came back up as recognized by the TC and just flashes amber. It's like the AE doesn't like the TC network I have set up or is not able to join it and disappears. What am I doing wrong?

Jason,
Yes, extending the network with the older b/g Express isn't as easy as the newer "n" version.
You would need to use the WDS on that older AX...
Here is the Apple doc on how to setup a WDS network.
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4262
The above document was just updated on January 25, 2011
I found this statement on their document very interesting:
WDS is designed for 802.11g, and shouldn’t be used for 802.11n devices. Wi-Fi base stations may include AirPort Extreme (802.11g) and AirPort Express (802.11g).
I got rid of all my older Airport Express units and went with the newer "n" version.
It is very simple to "Extend" the network with the newer AX and doesn't cut your network speed in half like the WDS setup does.
With the Time Capsule and a newer "n" version of the Express, all that is needed is to put a couple of checkmarks in the boxes and you have extended your network without loosing any noticeable speed.
The WDS can be difficult to setup and the local network speeds are cut in half.
Hope the above article helps.

Setting up network with ATT Uverse, Time Capsule, and Airport Extreme..HELP

PLEASE HELP!
I have ATT U-Verse which provides their own router. My Time Capsule is connected to the router (in the living room) via an Ethernet cable and has been working fine, and is set up like this:
Wireless Mode: Join a wireless network (I joined the ATT network 2wire)
Network name: 2wirexyz
Wireless Security: WPA/WPA2 Personal
Channel: 5
Connect Using: Wireless Network
When I try to add my Airport Extreme (for wireless printing in the office) by adding it to the same network (I've also tried to extend the network option) the Airport Utility thinks forever then comes up with an error and the Airport continues to flash amber. I've tried resetting the Extreme multiple times and configuring different ways but same result.
What am I doing wrong?? Please help, my wife is giving me grief for not being able to print wirelessly from her MacBook!!
Thank you in advance for any help you can give me!

Thank you Tessarax....
So does that mean I need to create a separate wireless network? I apologize, I'm not extremely familiar with how to complete what you've suggested. I know I've seen the bridge mentioned before in the Airport Utility when I've been trying different things. Would you mind giving me some more specific instructions please? Actually I just tried messing around with Airport Utility, let me know if I'm headed in the right direction:
For TC wireless mode I want to "Participate in a WDS network"?
Then where does my WDS remote come from? is that the Airport Extreme? I've plugged in the AEBS but it's not showing up in the Airport Utility...
I'll mess around with it some more tomorrow morning. Thanks I'll let you know how it goes.
Message was edited by: Jerimy75

Extending Network With Skh HD, Time Capsule 1TB and Airport Express

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