Time Capsule Disconnects OTHER devices on wireless network during backup?

Hi everyone,
I need help here. I have a 500gb TC as my wireless base station as well as my backup for a new-ish 2.8 iMac. I have 2 laptops on the network as well as 2 airport express stations that just serve speakers. The house is a small 1-floor 3-bedroom.
Every time my iMac does a time machine backup (which is often), the airport express bricks lose their music streams, and the laptops (a original Macbook Pro and a previous gen. MacBook) lose their internet and network connection - BUT they still show full signal strength and show that they are connected to the network.
The only thing that seems to "solve" it is for me to turn my computer airport off then back on and wait for it to re-join the network.
I have tried resetting my Time capsule - which only resulted in a VERY slow initial backup which took over 2 days to back up 200gb worth of data and then back to the same problem.
I have the TC set up as a mixed n/b/g network, and I have one express brick extending the network ('cause I thought a weak signal might be the problem but it appears not), and the other brick joining the network. All firmware/ software is up to date. Any help is appreciated!
Many thanks,
jb

jwbeaton,
While it doesn't directly relate to your connectivity issue, might I suggest not storing other files on the TC. Use and external disk attached to the TC via USB.
*Using a Time Machine Hard Disk (or Time Capsule) for Other Files*
Here is Apples’ line on this: “Time Machine works best if you use your backup disk only for Time Machine backups. If you keep files on your backup disk, Time Machine won’t back up those files, and the space available for Time Machine backups will be reduced.” [http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?path=Mac/10.5/en/11430.html]
This hasn't stopped some from successfully partitioning Time Machine hard disks and storing data on the other partition. As long as the Time Machine backup has its' own partition, you avoid any potential opportunities for conflict.
However, this is not an option for Time Capsule users as there is no easy way of partitioning the Time Capsules’ internal hard disk without elaborate effort. Granted, the Time Capsule is advertised as being able to perform both as a Time Machine backup destination and as a shared network drive [Apple Store (U.S.) - Time Capsule - 500 GB]
Nevertheless, some have experienced problems with maintaining files/folders occupying the same disk as Time Machine backups. In this case, they use the Time Capsule hard disk solely for Time Machine backups. Then attach an external hard disk to the Time Capsules USB port and store additional files there. This added disk will still be available to all Macs that can access the Time Capsule. (Note though, that any USB disks attached to the USB port of the Time Capsule can not then be backed up to the Time Capsule via Time Machine. Time Machine will only backup your Macs internal hard disk or any external hard disks physically attached to the Mac. Time Machine can not backup one remote device to another remote device.)
Hope this is helpful.
Cheers!

Similar Messages

Have a 802.11n time capsule, the range of the wireless network has shrunk down to nothing over last few days. Used to be able to use wireless network anywhere in house, but now can only use in my office. Will not connect to iphones, ipad, itouch, or noteb

Have a 802.11n time capsule, the range of the wireless network has shrunk down to nothing over last few days. Used to be able to use wireless network anywhere in house, but now can only use in my office. Will not connect to iphones, ipad, itouch, or notebook. Worked fine last week, but over weekend just started having issues.

It is very possible that you may have some form of Wi-Fi interference that has appeared recently that is preventing your Time Capsule (TC) from providing a clean RF signal.
I suggest you perform a simple site survey, using utilities like iStumbler, or AirRadar to determine potential areas of interference, and then, try to either eliminate or significantly reduce them where possible. Look for other Wi-Fis that may be operating nearby. Note those with the strongest signals and which channels they are operating on ... then change the channel used by the TC to be at least 3-5 channels away.

Time capsule blinking amber and my wireless network has vanished after factory reset

Hello,
I have an Apple Macbook aluminum body with a Motorola cable modem hooked up to the Time Capsule which acts as my router. After turning the power off in my home, the internet has not been working. The light on the TC was green, but I had no internet because Airport had a "self-assigned" IP address and may not be able to connect to the internet. Then, I decided to do a hard reset and restore my setting to factory. The light on the TC is blinking amber. When I go into Airport Utility, it gives me this message: "Airport Utility was unable to find any Airport wireless devices". On top of all this, when I did the hard reset, my wifi network is not on the list of Airport networks in my range. It has completely disappeared. I have all the wires connected properly to the router and TC. Please help, this scenario is very frustrating.

If you performed a factory default reset, the TC is now broadcasting a wireless network with a name like Apple Network xxxxxx, where the "x" could be either a letter or number.
You must first log on to this wireless network (there is no security or password) and establish a connection.
Then, if the TC was reset properly, you will be able to open AirPort Utility and re-configure the TC.
When you click Update to save your configuration settings, the TC will "dsiappear" from AirPort Utility. This is normal. Close AirPort Utility and wait for the TC to restart.
Then log on to the "new" wireless network that you named during the configuration.

Best configuration for Time Capsule & Airport Extreme running one wireless network?

We just moved to a house that does not have Ethernet pre-wired so I've had to re-setup the wireless network in a different configuration and it seems we're experiencing deteriorated wireless signal for devices like laptops. It will work perfectly fine (and fast! wheee!!!) but then it will slow to a crawl and mostly timeout. before I reset everything and start from scratch, I'd like some help. As an FYI, when connected via Ethernet to either of these, Internet is blazingly fast… so my problem here is the Wireless portion.
As some background, here is how we had the network set up in the previous house which was working great (although it was wired for Ethernet which made things A LOT easier):
Airport Extreme (4th Generation)
Wireless Mode: Create a Wireless Network
Internet Facing (Connected to the Cable Modem)
Location: Upstairs Utility Closet (with Smartbox and cable modem)
Time Capsule (1st Generation)
Wireless Mode: Extend a Wireless Network
Joined to existing network above, but also connected to the Ethernet jack
Location: Upstairs Office
Here is the current set up we have running:
Time Capsule (1st Generation)
Wireless Mode: Create a Wireless Network
Internet Facing (Connected to the Cable Modem)
Radio Mode: 802.11n (b/g compatible)
Location: Upstairs Office
Airport Extreme (4th Generation)
Wireless Mode: Extend a Wireless Network
Joined to existing network above with NO incoming Ethernet connection
Location: Downstairs Family Room
My understanding is that the Airport Extreme should pick up and relay the signal downstairs, as well as provide the router for the devices downstairs that need Ethernet (TiVo, Apple TV, etc).
So, my question is (and thank you in advance for helping me sort this out!), what would be the best configuration to optimize the Wireless performance in the house?
Also, for whichever device is the one picking up the existing network and providing the router capabilities for the Tivo and such, is it possible for it to pick up but not rebroadcast the signal? I think in this new house we may have a good enough signal from the office, without the need to rebroadcast it. My theory is that in this house, they are too close together and interfere with each other and/or devices aren't sure which to choose so they bounce back and forth endlessly. Again, just a theory.
Many thanks again for your help! If I've left out any information, please ask and I can provide.

Should they be running on the same channel (as with the "Extend" option previously? Or just both on Automatic channels?
I would recommend the Automatic setting on both devices because this will allow each router to scan and choose an open channel automatically. If you want to set the channels manually, keep them separated by at least 4-5 channels. You would not want to ever use the same channel for both devices in this type of "roaming" setup.
Is there a way to limit bandwidth per device (or action) so that it doesn't monopolize the network and keep other devices from using it?
Nothing that I am aware of. It sounds like you have some young users who are likely visiting Bit Torrent sites, which will really gobble up the bandwidth with big, heavy downloads. The Time Machine has to back up the same files again when it makes the next pass, so that clogs things up again.
Backups would go 3-5 times faster, on average, if the computer(s) could connect using Ethernet, but I understand that wires are not cool with the younger crowd.
should BOTH the TC and AE be set up in Bridge mode?
The AirPort Extreme should be set up in Bridge Mode.
The Time Capsule...it depends. If the TC is connected to a simple cable modem...then the correct setting for Connection Sharing would be "Share a public IP address" on the TC. That is because a simple modem has only 1 IP address to deliver. The TC takes that address and "shares" it with other devices by setting up a local network for all your other devices.
If the TC is connected to a gateway....a combination modem/router in the same box that usually has 3-4 Ethernet ports on the device....then that device would be considered the main router on the network and the TC would be configured in Bridge Mode in that case to function correctly on the network.

Force time capsule to connect to existing wireless network at 5GHz speed?

I've just bought the dual band 2TB time capsule to be added to my current network as a wireless backup device. It's connected to my existing network just fine, on my 5GHz network (I run both a 5GHz and a 2GHz network, for laptops and iphones respectively).
However when I go into my router and look at the attached devices, the MAC address of the time capsule that appears is that of it's 2.4GHz network. Does this mean that it's actually connecting to my network as an 'a/b/g' device rather than an 'n' device? And if this is the case, how do I force it to connect as an 'n' device?

Bob thanks for the reply.
The Time Capsule is in the same room, about a metre and a half away from the router at present (as I've not figured out where I actually want to put it yet).
Also it is connected to the 5Ghz network (as the networks have different SSIDs), it's just that the MAC address that appears in my routers 'attached devices' screen for the Time Capsule is the same as the MAC address of the time capsules 2.4GHz network when I start up the Aiport Utility.
I guess what I'm trying to get to the bottom of is if this is normal and in actual fact it's connecting at 5GHz, but that the Time Capsule's MAC address, when used as a normal device connecting to a network, is the same as it's 2.4GHz network MAC address (if that makes sense).

Can't Get Time Capsule to Extend Airport Extreme Wireless Network

I've searched this forum and read dozens of listings, but nothing I've found gives me a answer for the problem I'm having.
I had an existing network consisting of three Airport Extreme routers, one the master/DHCP server and the other two to extend the network. All of the routers were configured for 802.11n 5 GHz only service.
After much frustration trying to use Time Machine to back up to external disks attached to Airport Extremes as well as disks attached to other Macs, I gave up and bought a Time Capsule.
I have been trying for about six months on and off to get the Time Capsule configured as an extension to the main Airport Extreme as the other two Extremes are.
Nothing I've tried will cause the TC to extend the network. It always comes up with a yellow light and error messages saying that there is a problem with the wireless network and a problem with the internet connection and, sometimes, a third message that I don't remember.
After my initial efforts, I just gave up and plugged the danged TC into the remote AE that is closest to where I use my MacBook Pro and it worked. But I wanted it to REPLACE that AE instead of being an appendage to it.
Due to TC/TM problems, I've twice lost the entire TM backup off of the TC, and tonight I decided it was time to start over. I've encountered the same problems as before, and so finally moved the TC to my home office rack where the main AE is located and plugged it into the AE directly. TM is now backing up, but at a snail's pace (which is why I wanted the TC to be located in the same room where I use the laptop).
Has anyone had success or failure extending a multiple-unit AE network with a TC on 802.11n 5 GHz (not WDS)? If not, has your experience been similar to mine; if so, what did you do that I haven't?
Any specific help will be greatly appreciated.

Yes, I suppose I could do that. But if the wireless extension isn't working in one direction there's no guarantee it'll work in the other direction; and I was trying to avoid upending my entire setup.
And no, I'm not bridging the units with hard-wired cabling; I'm attempting to use wireless to extend them...NOT WDS, which is for 802.11B/G mode, but the 802.11N wireless extension mode that's available on these Apple products.

Accessing the music stored on my Time Capsule from other devices (iPad, MacBook)

I have cpoied my music onto my Time Capsule/Airport. I am trying to figure out how I can access that music from the other devices I have connected to the network including my MacBook Pro and iPad 2.

sparkylulu wrote:
I have a Time Capsule that, among other things, is my primary storage space for music. I don't keep anything on my macbook, I just point iTunes to the Capsule and play everything off of that. Here's my question and I apologize if it's rudimentary.
How do I backup the backup?
What backup? If the only copy of your stuff is on the Time Capsule, you have no backups!
I have a couple of other EHDs from before I got the Capsule. Specifically a LaCie. It's just sitting with nothing to do now. Is there an easy way to copy the 100+g of music from the Capsule to the LaCie or another EHD? I'm sure this is an easy thing to do and I'm just OCD enough to not be able to figure it out.
You can "archive" the TC's contents to a USB drive connected to it. That has some serious downsides, but if you have no other copies of your data, it would be a good thing to do quickly, then figure out a better alternative. See [Time Capsule: Using AirPort Utility 5.3.1 or later to make a copy of the Time Capsule disk|http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1281].
Time Machine, like many backup apps, cannot back up from a network location. I've never used it, but the Chronosync app might be suitable.

Time Capsule as main Router for wireless network

Hello,
I am having issues with the speed of my internet.
I first thought it was my internet provider. Yet when I plug directly into the TC I get the full speed I am suppose to get 6000 k/bs (checked on speedtest.net) but when I go to wireless it is down around 20 to at most 200 k/bs.
Is there an issue with TC having this problem? I have tried setting it up as only being an N network but it still does the same thing. I have had this issue since I purchased this when it first came out. I thought it was the internet provider so had switched a couple of times then found this speed test thing and it is convincing me it is the TC.
Suggestions? Lets see I have it set to Automatic for the channel. THe radio mode is the 802.11n, the b, & G compatible one.
It is very frustrating.
Sean

Hello,
Well thank you for the reply!
What I did was go out and purchased a Airport Extreme "N" and hooked it up. I now get my full 6000 kb/s that I am paying my internet provider for. I AM HAPPY NOW!!!
Sooooo this tells me either my Time Capsule is faulty or as some of the other post on this forum might suggest that it is just the router in side it.
At any rate I am now going to give Apple Care a call or take it to a local repair Specialist (no apple store up here but authorized, MACHOUSE, do not got to the Alaska Mac Store they suck, MAC HOUSE is the place up here) and let them see the results and see what can be done.
Sean

Airport Time Capsule cannot see my existing wireless network

Just bought iMac and an ATC, and have the iMac connected to my wireless network (Linksys WRT1900AC, 802.11ac) and trying to get the ATC to see it and extend it. The ATC light is blinking amber and while I can see it in the airport utility, when I try to get it to join my wireless network--it doesn't see it, only sees one (my iMac sees 6) and it's my neighbor's (who has a Mac, not sure if Apple wireless)
What to do?
Thanks!

The Time Capsule cannot wirelessly "extend" the signal from the Linksys wireless router.
Instead, the Time Capsule needs to connect to the Linksys router using a permanent, wired Ethernet cable connection.
If you want the Time Capsule to provide additional wireless coverage, it can do so. Simply use the same wireless network name and password as the Linksys network.
Here, I am assuming that the Time Capsule will be located a few rooms away from the Linksys router....and not in close proximity to the Linksys router.

Since installing Time Capsule, all other devices have problem with their internet connection

3 or 4 weeks ago my sister bought herself a Time Capsule to use with her IMac and since we have a big house and the Wifi Connection is pretty weak at her room, she connected it with our devolo dlan ethernet(which makes a connection between the time capsule and the router via electrical cables). I also use the same system for my xbox360/ps4 and never had any problems, but since she no longer has her Imac connected directly(WLan from her Time Capsule) something is messed up. If I don't unplug her Time Capsule I'm not able at all to connect with the Internet with my Xbox360 and with my Ps4 I'm only able once in 6-10 trials and only for about 5-30 seconds. But this isn't even all, my Laptop which has top Connection to our home network and also to the time capsule network sometimesneeds me to change between them for about a dozen times till it finally is able to make a connection with the Internet and even then it loses the connection to the Internet from time to time.
So my Question is, is it possible that the Time Capsule screws up some of the routing of the router and what can I do about it?
My Sister is happy because she finally has a good wifi connection in her room, but it got unbearable for me because it screws up the internet connection of every single electronical gadget I own and I don't want to have to unplug my sisters' time capsule every time she isn't in her room.

Yes, the TC can be messing things up. It is in router mode and is providing the dhcp in the wrong network to clients in the wrong places..
The TC should be in bridge mode.. is it.. ??
Go to the setup of the TC in the airport utility and check the setup.

Time machine won't find my wireless network for backup

Time machine won't connect to my external hard drive. It still exists in timemachine set up, but airport utility can't find it - says it doesn't exist. The option to set up airport utility manually is greyed out and not available. The problem happened when i changed my wireless router. The hard drive is a WD MyBookLive and the router is a Belkin. I'd really appreciate your help - this is driving me nuts! :-)

Well, the set up is this:
Motorola modem connects to
Belkin N300 by Cat 5 cable which then connects to
D-Link gigabit switch which connects to
Macbook pro by ethernet cable.
The Belkin also creates the wireless network, which is used by various devices in the house, including the printer.
Error messages I have received are:
From Time Machine (which lists the MyBook as one of its choices, but then can't find it): "
The server "MyBookLive.local" may not exist or it is unavailable at this time. Check the server name or IP address, check your network connection, and then try again."
From the MyBook (which was previously working fine):
Hoping this may assist!
Many thanks,
Bruce

Can I just add Time Capsule to my AEBS Wi-Fi network without making it the main connection to my Internet modem?

Reason I ask: I have an AirPort Extreme that works great. I only want to use the Time Capsule to back up my wife's Macbook wirelessly. I don't want to go through the daylong hassle of trying to set up the Time Capsule as my base station and have to track down obscure networking data (by calling an AT&T tech person in the Philippines) and printer info and TCP/IP digits, MAC addresses, MAP vs. POP info, etc. etc.
So, can I just plug in the Time Capsule and "add" it to my current Wi-Fi arrangement? Then just open my wife's Macbook and choose the device on the network to back up to?
Thanks in advance for any tips. -- steven

So, can I just plug in the Time Capsule and "add" it to my current Wi-Fi arrangement?
Yes, you have the option to configure the Time Capsule to "join" your current wireless network, so backups will occur over wireless only. In this type of configuration, the Time Capsule really functions only as a wireless hard drive. It performs no routing functions at all.
One of the advantages of doing it this way is that the Time Capsule can be located wherever you want.....as long as it can receive a strong wireless signal from your main wireless router, of course.

Using a Time Capsule to Extend a Non Apple Network

I have a home network that i use to connect to through wifi, i tried to extend it through my Time Capsule and it said "This network cannot be extended".
Whats the deal?
Message was edited by: Robert Boinski

If you've managed to set the Time Capsule up to "extend a wireless network" from the Belkin router, you are the first person to report success with this type of configuration.
Would you mind posting the details of your configuration so that others might benefit from your success?
You can perform a quick check on your configuration by locating your Mac near the Time Capsule and holding down the option key on the keyboard while you click on the fan shaped AirPort icon at the top of the screen.
The BSSID you see will be the AirPort ID of the Time Capsule. If you perform the same check near the Belkin router, you should see a different ID, that of the Belkin. Is this the case?

HT3728 I am trying to use my airport time capsule as an extender on my network, but I can't find it anywhere now. Tried a reset, but device is lost.

I set up a new network with a new AirPort Extreme station. I was able to reset all of my old devices, Airport Express, etc., by I haven't been able to get my time capsule to attach to the new network. It just doesn't show up anywhere.

Ultimately I am using it as an extender itself.
Thanks, but I'm not sure that you understand that an extender can function using a network Ethernet wired connection or a wireless connection.
So, we asked for clarification on what you wanted to do in our previous post. We asked......
Will the Time Capsule "extend" by connecting using an Ethernet cable to the AirPort Extreme?
Or, are you hoping to have the Time Capsule "extend" the signal wirelessly?
We also asked.....
Are you still using OS X 10.6 as your profile indicates? If not, what is the operating system you are using?
We have a Time Capsule, have seen this issue, and know how to fix it. So we can likely help, but we cannot see your network, or know your thoughts, so we must ask for your assistance.
It is possible that you are not comfortable providing the information that we requested. We understand. In that case, please wait for another person to respond to your question.

Help with new Airport Extreme (and network name) not recognizing Time Capsule and other Airports in the home

I had a Time Capsule running in an AV Cabinet and it made too much noise as it backed up and ruined soft/quiet music passages (and created far too much warmth as well). So, I visited the local Apple store and the guy I met worked through a few solutions with me. I decided on an Airport Extreme for the audio cabinet, and would move the Time Capsule to another room where it would not create noise interference.
So, I have the Airport up and running perfectly well. I changed my wireless network name and password.
I cannot get the Airport Express and Time Capsule to show up on my network. They both just blink that brown/orange color on the front. When I go to the Airport Utility, it does not pick up the Time Capsule or Airport Express. I have tried unplugging and plugging back in and scanning for devices, but dont know what else to do. Are they still looking for my old network? Is there a way to reset them??
Thanks for any help.

I've tried the option key on both--the AEBS offers 14 options, including Automatic, while the TC offers 8 options, and no Automatic. The AEBS lists (among others) 802.11 a/n-b/g compatible, 802.11 a-b/g compatible, or 802.11 n (5 GHz)-b/g compatible. The TC offers 802.11.n (b/g compatible), 802.11n only (2.4 GHz), and 802.11n only (5 GHz), among others...
I had already followed the instructions in the link you supplied, except that the wireless options don't quite match...
I am currently trying 802.11n (5GHz)-b/g compatible on the AEBS and 802.11 (5GHz) on the TC, which gives me a rate of 270 on my n devices and 54 on my g devices, according to the Airport Utility.
This might be the best I can do, without buying a new TC. Thanks for any advice you can give...
C.

Time Capsule Disconnects OTHER devices on wireless network during backup?

Similar Messages

Maybe you are looking for