Airport Extreme + USB HDD = Time Capsule?

Hi!
(Sorry for my poor English, I hope it's possible to understand my problem/question).
I bought a MacBook in January 09. It's connected to the Internet via WLAN and a Fritz.Box (Wireless Router with built-in DSL Modem, unfortunately it uses the old slow LAN and WLAN protocol and a USB1-Port).
I want to backup my files with Time Machine via WLAN. I tried to connect a USB-Drive to my Fritz.Box but it was terribly slow (USB1...)
It's important, that the backups go automatically when I'm at home and connected to my WLAN.
Now I think of buying something that's more useful. I have three ideas and I'm not sure what to do...
1) Buying the Time Capsule. Pro: I think, it will work perfectly. I don't need to worry about a thing. Contra: It's terribly expensive. In Germany 1TB will cost about 600$. (Maybe I should buy the 500GB-Version and update it by myself to 1GB or 2GB).
2) Buying the Airport Extreme. Unfortunately I'm not sure if a Airport Extreme + USB-HDD is the same as the Time Capsule. Apple writes: "Time Machine in Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard can be used to back up to many kinds of Mac OS Extended-formatted drives, but you cannot choose AirPort Extreme's AirPort Disk as a Time Machine backup volume. " On the other hand some Users wrote that they managed to get their TM-Backup on a AE-HDD (but did this work via WLAN?). With the Airport Extreme it would be easy to manage a itunes-stream-server (the Airport Express is not too expensive). And the Airport Extreme isn't too expensive as well.
3) Using a Network-HDD. It would be not too good, since I had to use my slow WLAN-Connection and since this wouldn't be supported by Apple at all. On the other hand this would be the least expensive version.
What should I do? Is it possible to work with the Airport Extreme and an external USB-HDD via WLAN and without any problems (like mounting the drive manually each time I connect to my Network).
It would be much more fun, if everything ran automatically, when I got in reach of my Network...
Thanks in advance! Gerrit

A couple of pointers.
The hard drive must be specifically formatted in Mac OS Extended (Journaled) to work with the AirPort Extreme's USB port. Check the documentation that came with the drive to find out how it is formatted at the present time.....it is likely formatted to work with Windows, which is not compatible with the AirPort Extreme.
Unfortunately, even if the drive is formatted correctly, Apple does not officially support Time Machine backups to a drive at the USB port of the AirPort Extreme, so that will be the next hurdle to deal with.
Some users actually do seem to be able to make this work, but overall, it is not a reliable method to backup your data if it is important to you.

Similar Messages

AirPort Extreme with 3T time capsule file security question

Right now I am using a MacMini with an external HD as a file server. I'm thinking g of using the new AirPort Extreme with 3T time capsule to do the same tho g (while also extended my wifi reach).
With the Mac mini I have fine control over who gets to see and do what to which folders and files. It seems that with the AirPort Extreme thee is no notion of permissions or access control -- if you can get on the wireless you can access the files. That is extremely insecure.
Is my understanding correct? Is there no way to secure files hosted on an AirPort Extreme so only certain users can access them??
- john

Are there any instructions for how to format and set HFS+ user permissions on the AP Extreme's HDD?
For the formatting part, you will need to temporarily connect the drive to your Mac, and then, use the Disk Utility (a part of the OS X operating system) to partition and format the drive. You should find this utility in the \Applications\Utilities folder. For HFS+, choose "Mac OS Extended (Journaled)" for the Format option.
For assigning user permissions using accounts, you will need to use the AirPort Utility.
Run the AirPort Utility
Select the Extreme, and then, click on Edit.
Select the Disks tab.
Select the HDD in the Partitions window.
Choose "With accounts" as the Secure Shared Disks option.
Click on the "+" button to add user accounts.
For each account desired, enter the Account Name, Password, and File Sharing Access type.
Click Save.
Click Update to write the new configuration information to the base station and wait for the station to restart.

Internet - AirPort Extreme (b/g) - Time Capsule - File Server

I've got a small office network where files are served off a Mac mini, and iMacs connected via 802.11n wifi to the wired mini via Time Capsule. I have a spare AEBS (b/g) that I was thinking of setting it up for iPhone and guest access of internet. To keep the mini and iMacs secure, the set-up would be:
Internet -> AirPort Extreme (b/g) -> Time Capsule -> Mac mini and iMacs
The only issue I'm contemplating - the slower Ethernet ports on the Extreme - which I don't think is a problem for connecting to the Internet. Is there anything else I should be concerned about regarding network performance?
Thanks in advance for the collective wisdom!
Message was edited by: openarchitecture

That would work. The Ethernet ports on the AirPort Extreme base station (AEBS) is faster than your internet connection so you shouldn't have a problem.

Using an Airport Extreme and a Time Capsule at the same time

Guys I have had an Airport Extreme and a Time Capsule running together for nearly a year now and over the last few days the TC has been behaving badly. I changed its settings and now I'm in a mess. No, I can't remember the previous settings
Does anyone have a definitive list of the settings I need please? I have an ethernet cable modem, and the Airport Extreme is plugged into that as the main router. Two computers and the Time Capsule are plugged into the Airport Extreme using ethernet. The Time Capsule at the moment is just used as a network drive for Time Machine, but at some point I want to move it, with a long ethernet cable, and use it for extending the wifi in the house.
1. Should I connect the TC using its WAN port or one of the other ethernet ports? At present it's one of the other ones.
2. What TC settings should I use to have it function purely as a hard drive? At the moment there's some kind of conflict and my internet connection drops every 30 minutes.
3. Then later, what settings will I need to get the ethernet connected TC to extend the range of my wifi?
I read the Apple doc about WDS and tried setting the TC up that way. Then I discovered there is no WDS option in the AE Wireless settings. Only "Create a wireless network" or "extend a wireless network". The same setting on the TC has these options: "Create a wireless network" "Participate in a WDS network" or "extend a wireless network". Both devices have firmware 7.5.2. It didn't work with only the TC set for WDS, of course, but after that I can't get it back the way it was - which wasn't reliable anyway
Any help in exactly what the Wireless and Internet settings should be would be massively useful. Thanks!

If you use the extreme as a router then the tc should be connected via its wan port to one of the lan ports on the extreme. Tc should be set up in bridge mode. Basically you could set it up to create another wireless network beside the one created by the extreme. There is no need to use WDS or extend the other network.
Use the same SSID and password for both machines. Computers will connect to the strongest signal.

Airport Extreme and a Time Capsule - config recommendations?

Hi!
So I find myself (in a fortunate position?!) with a new Airport Extreme and a Time Capsule.
I have very few requirements - I would like to be able to connect to the Internet wirelessly, and I'd like to be able to backup a couple of Macs using Time Machine (also wirelessly). I realise that the TC can provide me with that functionality nice and easily, but since I have an AE and a TC, I figure it would be good to make use of both, and so I wanted to ask if anyone had any recommendations for a useful configuration?
I think there are 2 basic options I could make use of (have I missed any?!):
1) Use AE as base station and connect the TC to it as an external HD
2) Use AE as base station and also make TC available for back up wirelessly
Does anyone have any thoughts on the above? If you'd recommend 2), what would be your suggested approach as I think I'm right in saying that 2) could be done in several ways? Roaming? WDS? Just setup TC as a stand-alone wireless box with no internet connection? (does this latter approach mean I could connect to the internet and backup at the same time - I'm guessing not?)
If 1) is the way to go, is it just a case of putting an ethernet cable between the 2 boxes?
Any thoughts would be hugely appreciated!
Many thanks

I would use the Time Capsule as the wireless base station connected to the modem. Then I'd use the Airport Extreme to extend the network or to create a roaming network (ethernet cable betwee the units), whichever worked best in the premises. Naturally, Time Capsule would be used for backups of all machines equipped with Time Machine. Have never hooked up any Apple equipment but from my understanding of it, this is what I'd try.

If I have an airport extreme and a time capsule is it possible for seamless switching between the 2 when a signal is weak or drops Main reason is as I move from my first floor to my attic office and would like to place one (airport extreme)downstairs and

If I have an airport extreme and a time capsule is it possible for seamless switching between the 2 when a signal is weak or drops
Main reason is as I move from my first floor to my attic office and would like to place one (airport extreme)downstairs and time capsule upstairs to get complete coverage

In theory, yes. If you configure the two base station into either an extended or roaming network configuration, you should be able to walk a laptop between routers and the laptop should attempt to connect/reconnect to the base station providing the stronger signal ... but, in reality, this is not always 100% true.

What is the best way to hookup my airport extreme with my time capsule ?

what is the best way to hookup my airport extreme with my time capsule ?

It sounds like you have the AirPort Extreme configured as the "main" router on your network.
If that is the case, connect an Ethernet cable from one of the LAN <-> ports on the AirPort Extreme to the WAN "O" port on the Time Capsule
Power up the Time Capsule
Connect another spare Ethernet cable from your Mac to one of the LAN <-> ports on the Time Capsule
Open Macintosh HD > Applications > Utilities > AirPort Utility
Click on the Time Capsule, then click Manual Setup
Click the Wireless tab below the row of icons and make sure that the setting for Wireless Mode = Off
Click the Internet icon, the click the Internet tab
Insure that the setting for Connect Using = Ethernet
Insure that the setting for Connection Sharing = Off (Bridge Mode)
Click the Update button at the lower right of the window and wait a full minute for the Time Capsule to restart
Then power cycle the entire network by powering everything off....order of power down does not matter
Wait a minute
Power up the modem first, and let it run a few minutes by itself
Power up the AirPort Extreme next and let it run a full minute
Power up the Time Capsule next and let it run a full minute
Keep starting devices one at a time about a minute apart until the entire network is back up
You will need to reset the backup path from your Mac to the Time Capsule to get backups going again
Open System Preference (gear icon on the dock)
Open Time Machine
Click Select Disk
Click the Time Capsule to highlight it
Click Use for Backups or Use Disk and backups should begin again in a few minutes
If you do not want to leave the Mac connected to the Time Capsule by Ethernet, remove the Ethernet cable from the Mac to the Time Capsule, then log on to the AirPort Extreme wireless network

Is it possible to share a disk on airport extreme for both Time Capsule use and Windows use

Hello
I was hoping to add some better backup capacity to our home. Can I use the same disk attacheded to the USB port of an Airport Extreme for Time Capsule use for our Macbooks, as well as general use by the windows laptops> If not is it possible to add multiple disks to the Airport Extreme and designate one for Mac Laptops, and the other for Windows use.
Regards
Ted

Regardless of the client's OS, you can use the AirPort Disk (USB HDD attached to the AirPort Extreme's USB) port as a 'NAS' device. You also have the option of partitioning it if you actually want separate volumes to be used between Mac or Windows clients. I would recommend partitioning it for Mac OS Extended (Journaled) which would also format it for HFS+. Normally HFS+ volumes are not readable (natively) by Windows, but the Extreme's File Server will share this drive out with both AFP (for Macs) and SMB (for Windows/Linux) clients.
However, one note of caution. Do NOT use this AirPort Disk for Time Machine backups as this is NOT supported by Apple. Although a number of users have done so, a number of them also post here complaining of corrupted backups.

How do I add an airport extreme to existing time capsule network and be able to use the router ethernet ports?

Good day everyone. I recently upgraded my airport extreme network by replacing the base station with a time capsule router. Since I now have an "extra" airport extreme router, I've set it up on the other side of the house to both extend the wireless range as well as use it's LAN ports for a home theater system in that location. Connecting the two routers was done via ethernet. It now appears that I need to do something "else" as the LAN ports on the now relocated airport extreme are nonfunctional. All devices are operating well for wireless and as a review, the modem is connected to the time capsule WAN which is connected to the airport extreme via ethernet cable via LAN to it's WAN port. What do I need to change on configurations to get the LAN ports functioning on the airport extreme? Thank you for any help.

Connecting the two routers was done via ethernet. It now appears that I need to do something "else" as the LAN ports on the now relocated airport extreme are nonfunctional.
With both base stations interconnected by Ethernet you have the basis for a "roaming" type network. If properly configured, both base stations' Ethernet ports would be enabled for wired clients.
The key configuration items for a roaming network are as follows:
All base stations used must be interconnected by Ethernet.
The "main" base station; the one connected to the Internet modem, must be configured to provide both NAT & DHCP services; all other base stations used must be configured as bridges (NAT & DHCP disabled.)
Each base station must have a unique base station name.
Each base station must use the same wireless security type and password.

"No Internet Connection" via AirPort Extreme bridged to Time Capsule

Hello,
We have a fairly large and odd home network consisting of a Comcast cable modem connected to a Netgear router, a Time Capsule wired to that one floor down (serving up WiFi and DHCP), and a new AirPort Extreme wired one floor below that, extending the WiFi network of the Time Capsule and set to bridge mode.
On one MacBook Pro (and possibly others, haven't had them available to test yet), trying to connect to WiFi while downstairs (i.e. to the AirPort Extreme) yields a strong wireless connection, but "no Internet connection"; checking via network diagnostics or the Network panel reveals that the MacBook Pro has no IP address. This seems odd, as it happens even if the connection is first made on the 2nd floor to the Time Capsule, where a valid IP is retrieved, and then carried downstairs; even though the same IP address should be valid, the laptop's WiFi menubar icon starts cycling again and eventually shows the "!" and reports no Internet connection. Checking the Network panel reveals no IP address via DHCP. However, if I let it sit for a minute or two, the IP address comes back (the same one!) and all is well, at least for a while.
I've tried switching to a manually-assigned static IP as a workaround, and that works perfectly well, but I'd like to get DHCP working properly if I can, for convenience's sake. Is there any reason why I should be having trouble with getting DHCP from the Time Capsule via the AirPort Extreme?

Actually, yeah, my predecessor explained that he was running DHCP on the Time Capsule instead of the Netgear because he hadn't needed DHCP prior to the adding of a WiFi point (all other nodes were on Ethernet), so it had always been turned off on the Netgear. But your suggestion makes a lot more sense, of course, so I've put the Time Capsule into bridge mode as well and started the DHCP server on the Netgear. Seems to be working with my iPhone, though that was always working okay. I won't have access to the laptop to test it until later this afternoon, but I have high hopes.
Thank you!

Adding an Airport Extreme to Existing Time Capsule

Hello - I currently have my Time Capsule connected to an AT&T 2Wire modem/router with U-Verse. The configuration is working to a degree, but I am dropping my connection to iPhones and iPod Touches. Here is what I have working right now:
AT&T 2Wire modem/router is sending a wireless G signal
Time Capsule is in Bridge Mode and is sending a wireless N signal on the 5GHz band
All devices connecting to the Time Capsule are working properly with no issues.
Some devices work well on the 2Wire router, but I am constantly dropping my connection for the kids iPod Touches and my iPhone. Often, the iOS devices will not connect at all to the network, even though they see the network and have the ability to log in to the network. When we launch Safari (or another iOS app) we get the message that there is no connection to the internet.
Since that completely stinks, I am considering an Airport Extreme that will simultaneously transmit both wireless N & G signals. I could then turn off the wireless G from the 2Wire Router. My question is... How can I keep my Time Capsule up and running on the network? I would effectively be taking it out of the loop - and I don't want to do that.
Is it possible to bridge two devices (Time Capsule & Airport Extreme)?
Is there a way to connect the Time Capsule via Ethernet Cable from the Airport Extreme so the Hard Disks on the Time Capsule will continue to provide backup?
Any help you can provide would be extremely... um, helpful :~)

Hello JGerard. Welcome to the Apple Discussions!
You have a number of options that both include leaving the wireless disabled on the 2Wire gateway device.
I am assuming, based on your description, that the current Time Capsule (TC), is NOT a simultaneous dual-band model and that you have it configured to provide the "802.11n only (5 GHz)" radio mode ... correct?
If so, I would start by recommending the following configuration with the new simultaneous dual-mode 802.11n AirPort Extreme Base Station (AEBSn):
Basic Network Configuration
o 2Wire gateway > \[WAN] AEBSn \[LAN] > \[WAN] TC, where ">" is an Ethernet connection.
2Wire Basic Configuration
o NAT & DHCP services enabled
o Wireless service disabled
AEBSn Basic Configuration
o Wireless Mode = Create a wireless network
o Radio Mode = 802.11n only (5 GHz) - 802.11b/g/n
o Radio Channel Selection = Automatic
o Wireless Security = WPA2 Personal
o Use wide channels (on the 5 GHz band)
o Connection Sharing = Off (Bridge Mode)
TC Basic Configuration
o Wireless Mode = Off
o Connection Sharing = Off (Bridge Mode)
In this configuration, all routers are interconnected by Ethernet and only the AEBSn is broadcasting a wireless network.
Another configuration option would be to leave the TC's radio enabled and have it broadcast using the same Network Name & Security type as the AEBSn. This would create a "roaming" network where you could literally walk a laptop between base stations and still be on the same network.
A third option would be to configure the TC to extend the wireless network created by the AEBSn. In this case the AEBSn and TC would not be connected by wire, but they would have a wireless connection. This is referred to as a WDS.
Let me know which option would be the most preferable and I can help you with more setup details.

New Airport Extreme with old Time Capsule?

I just bought a new 802.11ac Airport Extreme to increase the speed and range of my home network. My network currently runs on an 802.11g Time Capsule. I would like to continue to back up to the old Time Capsule. Should I just set up the old Time Capsule with wireless off in bridge mode or should I place the Time Capsule somewhere else in the house strategically, leaving wireless on, to improve range? Someone told me adding a G-speed access point or client to the network would slow things down.
Thank you SO much for the help; I'm sort of a wireless networking dummie.
Steve

My network currently runs on an 802.11g Time Capsule.
I assume you meant to say 802.11n Time Capsule. There are no 802.11g models.
I would like to continue to back up to the old Time Capsule. Should I just set up the old Time Capsule with wireless off in bridge mode or should I place the Time Capsule somewhere else in the house strategically, leaving wireless on, to improve range?
You can do either. If you hare happy with the coverage of the 802.11ac AirPort Extreme, then I would recommend that you go with your first idea. I would connect the Time Capsule directly to the new Extreme using an Ethernet cable, disable its wireless and reconfigure it as a bridge.

Connecting Airport Extreme N to Time Capsule via ethernet to extend wireles

Hi, I currently have 2 Airport Extreme N and a Time capsule and would like to connect all three together. I am planning to use the time Capsule as the router and then use the other airport extreme to extend the wireless network. I am planning to have ethernet connection between the three devices ie Airport extreme N (A) is connected to time capsule via ethernet and airport extreme N (B) is connected to time capsule via another ethernet.
I have tried the Extend Wireless network option to connect them, but that seems to generate so much traffic between the airport extreme N and the time capsule that the network is not usable. I have also tried using WDS but that didn't seem to work.
The three wireless networks have some areas of overlap but the signal is weak which is why i prefer to link them up with ethernet.
What is the best wall to configure them? should I set them up so that they're each creating a wireless network but with the same name? Or is there a better solution? Thanks!

It seems to me the easiest way is to have the Airport Extreme connect to internet using Ethernet, using DHCP and the Connection sharing in off (bridge mode) and then create a new wireless network with the same name... Is that correct? I have previously ran the apple wizard and it did something weird with the network and then both the time capsule and the airport extreme are serving out IP address and both of them have the same IP address 10.0.1.1. which then messes up everything...
Any ideas? thanks!

Airport Extreme + USB HD + Time Machine

I've had a recurring problem with my Airport Extreme for several years. Any time I update the firmware on the base station to the latest available, I have issues accessing my USB hard drive plugged in to it for general usage or Time Machine backups. I believe the latest firmware that works trouble free for me is 7.3.2, which I'm having a hard time tracking down now that I've upgraded to 7.4.2.
Basic problem: Time machine back ups and access to the HD plugged in to the base station work fine immediately after the update. I put my computer to sleep, and upon wake up it can't communicate with the disk drive any more. The only thing that fixes it is to restart the base station. Then everything's fine again until another sleep or restart cycle my computer.
Like I said, everything works great on the older firmware (which I'm currently trying to track down again). But every updated base station firmware update Apple has released in the last few years has broken it.
Airport Extreme (purchased in 2007) running 7.4.2 firmware
Macbook (Black 13" purchased in late 2006) running OSX 10.6.3

Hello elehto. Welcome to the Apple Discussions!
Like I said, everything works great on the older firmware (which I'm currently trying to track down again). But every updated base station firmware update Apple has released in the last few years has broken it.
Since Apple does not support Time Machine backups to AirPort Disks, I don't think firmware changes will make any difference to the issues you are describing. (ref: Time Machine doesn't back up to AirPort Extreme AirPort Disks)

HT4259 This article is outdated (as well as others). I have Airport Extreme (latest) and Time Capsule (earlier version) and newest Airport Utility version.

I have difficulty in setting up the newest Airport Extreme with Time Capsule. How to wire Time Capsule over ethernet is so confusing and the documentation I found is outdated.

OK, thanks for the clarification.
Disconnect the Ethernet cable if it is plugged into the Time Capsule at this time.
With the Time Capsule powered on, hold in the reset button on the back of the device for 9-10 seconds and then release. Allow a full minute for the Time Capsule to restart to a slow, blinking amber light.
This will not affect any backups that you might have already stored on the Time Capsule.
Connect the Ethernet cable to the WAN "O" port on the Time Capsule. I assume that you have tested the Ethernet cable independently to make sure that it is working correctly.
Click the AirPort icon at the top of the Mac's screen and wait a few seconds for a listing of New AirPort Base Station to appear. Just below that, click directly on Time Capsule. The screenshot below shows an AirPort Express.....you will see Time Capsule on your screen.
AirPort Setup will open up automatically and take a minute to analyze the network, then announce that the Time Capsule will be configured to extend the AirPort Extreme network.
Enter a device name that you want to use for the Time Capsule. You can use the same name that you used before, then click Next.
Now AirPort Setup will indicate that the Time Capsule is being configured to extend using Ethernet. When you see the message of Setup Complete, click Done. That's it.

Airport Extreme + USB HDD = Time Capsule?

Similar Messages

Maybe you are looking for