Connect Time Capsule to existing wifi network

Hi,
I've just moved into an apartment which supplies a wifi connection. I have several devices and want to create my own internal network but using the supplied wifi. There isn't a router to connect the TC to so is it possible to connect the TC to the existing WiFi and then create a network which my other devices can connect to?

is it possible to connect the TC to the existing WiFi and then create a network which my other devices can connect to?
No, not unless you add another hardware device like an AirPort Express that will first "join" the existing wireless network and then provide an Ethernet connection to the Time Capsule, which will create the wireless network.
This is an "iffy" type of setup in that it may work in some installations and not others. The bottom line unfortunately is that you will not know if it will work in your home until you try it out in your home, so you might want to understand the store's return policies before you buy.

Similar Messages

Time Capsule in existing Wireless Network

I've got an existing WiFi network: it is a DSL modem/router (Netgear). And I've got several computers connected to the Internet from this AP.
Now, I've recently purchased a Time Capsule so that I can perform back-ups of my MacBook Pro. But I want to know what is the best way to connect the new Time Capsule, giving the following requirements:
I don't want to share the data on the Time Capsule with all other computers. For now, this should just be for my own back-up.
I want to preferably transfer/access the capsule at the best performance rate, i.e. 5GHz., and wirelessly.
I want to try not disrupt any of the other people who is currently connected to the existing wireless network.
The Netgear AP I've got at the moment is operating at 2.2GHz over the g/b mode.
What options do I have? From what I've read so far, I see two opttions, but let me know what is the best, or also, if there are other better options:
Connet the capsule to "join" the existing wireless network. However, my question is, then at what speed would by MacBook be accessing and transfering to the capsule. Would it be bottlenecked by the existing wireless router at 2.2GHz?
Or, Connect the capsule to create a new dedicated network operating over 5GHz (only) on the N-mode. This would be in bridge-mode, where the existing router would handle DHCP, etc.
Could someone please advise what's the best course of action, that would give best performance and why? My understanding might not be complete about what I specified above, but if someone could please guide, it would be appreciated. thanks.

Connect the printer to the USB port on the Time Capsule and make sure everything is powered on.
On your Mac, open System Preferences (gear icon on the dock)
Open Print & Scan, or it might be Print & Fax depending on your operating system
Click the + (plus) button at the bottom of the printer list on the left side of the window
Hopefully.....your printer or printer family will appear in the next window
It is does, click on the name of the printer to highlight it
Click Add at the lower right
Try to print a test document
Be sure to select the correct printer location when the print dialog appears. If you previously printed when the printer was connected directly to the Mac, it will appear as if you have two of the same printers installed.
A careful look will reveal that you have two printer "locations"...one at the Mac and the other at the Time Capsule. You have to choose the correct "location" at the Time Capsule
You may need to power off the printer again and restart it if printing does not work on the first try.
You will need to "install" the printer from each Mac that you have when you try to print.
If you have any PCs, you will need to download, install and run Bonjour Print Services for Windows v2.0.2 to select the printer and "install" it on the PC.

How to put time capsule on new wifi network

Hi. I moved and now my wifi network name and password are different. How do I reconfigure my time capsule so that it's on the new network without losing any of my exsting information on it?

The Time Capsule is designed to function optimally when it connects to a modem/router using a wired Ethernet connection.
Are you planning to try to configure the Time Capsule to connect to your new network wirelessly?
In either case, you must reset the Time Capsule back to factory default settings and then set it up again to connect to the new network.
To do this....
Power off the Time Capsule for a few minutes
Hold in the reset button first, and then keep holding the reset button in for an additional 10 seconds while you simultaneously plug the power back into the Time Capsule
Release the reset button after the hold period, and allow a full minute for the Time Capsule to restart to a slow, blinking amber light
Now you can reconfigure the Time Capsule again to connect to the new network....and you can use the same Time Capsule device name and device password that you used before if you wish.
Resetting the Time Capsule only affects the network settings, it will not affect any of the data that you have stored on the Time Capsule hard drive.

Couldn't connect new time capsule to existing wifi

Hi everyone,
I need some help setting up my Time Capsule. I bought the latest model (2013) and received it today. I have an existing ATT U verse modem/router that creates 2WIRExxx connection and I am trying to connect to this network wirelessly from time capsule so that I can put it in different room.
Somehow when I select "Wireless" tab and choose "Extend a wireless network" it doesnt show my current wifi SSID in dropdown, although its just near by without any interference. When I connect it thru ethernet cable it works perfectly fine.
I also tried giving the SSID name and password, but while connecting it says your TC is set to connect to a network that cannot be found, please ensure it is in range and have good signal.
My Airport utility version is 6.3 (630.34) and time capsule version is 7.7.
Please help me setting up my TC.
Thanks,
Shantanu

Thanks for your answer.
I agree that its not the best way to setup the TC as an extension (Bridge Mode) to existing wireless, but here is what I want to achieve and if you have a better idea for me, please let me know.
My ATT Modem and Router is one device and cannot be seperated.
I want to use TC as following:
1. Backing up my data using Time Capsule (Regular Wireless Backup)
2. setup as NAS for other USB HDDs I have.
3. Use as a print server for my printer setup in my office.
My current ATT modem+Router is in different room and cannot be setup in my office so I have no choice but to use TC as in Bridge Mode and connect wirelessly to main router to support all above tasks as they cannot be achieved with ATT modem+Router(It doesnt have USB support).
The problem I am facing is that TC is not able to find the wifi signal (I dont know why). It didnt do even when I tried to set it up first time. I do not think it wouldn't support non apple wireless extension, there must be a very good reason for not doing that. But when connected with wire to existing router (LAN Port not WAN/Modem), it works perfectly fine.
Thanks,
Shantanu

Connecting Time Capsule to existing Netgear wireless network

Hi, hope someone can help please?
Have a MacBook Pro and Time Capsule. Want to use TC just for wireless back up with Time Machine. I'm trying to connect it to my existing Netgear wireless network. I've been through the set up process with Airport Utility. It can find the TC on it's own default Apple network, but when I select add to existing network my Netgear network is not showing from the drop down menu (but my neighbours networks are). If I type it in and add it manually the TC restarts but just continues searching for network (flashing amber) and does not connect. I have administrated my Netgear router to allow access to the TC's airport ID and I can't think what else to try.
Can anyone help please?

Hmmm.
There are several IDs for the TC. AirPort IDs and an ethernet or MAC address.
If you have a dual band TC, there are separate AirPort IDs for 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz. I'm not sure if the TC can join another manufacturer's network at 5 GHz, but it should be able to join at 2.4 GHz.
Is that what you entered? If you entered this ID and it does not connect, then try the MAC address of the Time Capsule. I don't have one handy at the moment, but I'm pretty sure the MAC address is on the bottom of the device. The AirPort ID should be there as well.
Message was edited by: Bob Timmons

How to connect Time Capsule to existing wireless U-verse network?

I ordered a Time Capsule which I primarily want to use for back up, and at least at this point plan on using U-verse for internet access, wireless printing.
I have read many previous posts on this, and they are a little too technical for me! Would someone be willing to tell me the exact step-by-step details? I need them down to the last little thing, including what order to plug things in, power them up etc, as well as which settings to choose.
Thank you in advance for any help with this!

If you are not able to configure the O2 device as a bridge, your remaining option is to configure the Time Capsule in bridge mode.
The Guest Network feature is not available when the Time Capsule is configured as a bridge, but otherwise, you will be able to configure it to provide a dual band wireless network for your devices and also provide Ethernet connections if needed.
You can choose to ignore the wireless network provided by the O2 device, or if you have access to the configuration settings, it should be a simple task to turn off the wireless function of the O2 gateway.

Adding Time Capsule to existing wireless network?

Hi all
I have been reading the existing posts on this subject but cant really find the answers I need.
We have just bought a Time Capsule to back up our MacBook Pro.
We have a Netgear wireless modem/router which already has a wireless network set up.
My parents use a Windows laptop and access the internet via this network. We do not need this laptop to be backed up with the time capsule.
I am just wondering what is the best way to set up the Time Capsule? Add it to the existing network or create a new network? What are the benefits of each?
We also have a 5GHz wireless network - would it be better to connect the Time Machine to this instead? And if so is it possible for the Mac to run off the 2.4GHz while it backs up to Time Capsule via 5GHz? Sorry not sure how this all works!
thanks

bushwacka2603 wrote:
Thanks.
So just so Ive understood correctly.....
I connect the TC to my Netgear via ethernet and this means the TC acts as a wireless router to connect my Mac and the laptop to the internet?
Bridged the TC is an AP only not a router.
Wireless can be on or off.. it is entirely up to you.
What OS are you running?
If you are unfortunate enough to run Mountain Lion. please install a real utility.. this is tricky because Apple like toyland version for toyland OS>
How to load 5.6 into ML.
1. Download 5.6 for Lion.
http://support.apple.com/kb/DL1482
Click to open the dmg but do not attempt to install the pkg.. it won't work anyway.
2. Download and install unpkg.
http://www.timdoug.com/unpkg/
Run unpkg on the desktop.. it is very simple.. drag the AirPortUtility56.pkg file over to unpkg.. and it will create a new directory of the same name on the desktop.. drill down.. applications utilities .. there lo and behold is Airport utility 5.6 .. drag it to your main utilities directory or just run it from current location.
You cannot uninstall 6.1 so don't try.. and you cannot or should not run them both at the same time.. so just ignore the toyland version.. the plastic hammer.. and start using 5.6.. a real tool.

Time Capsule on Existing Wireless Network

My niece will be going to college this fall, and her dad bought her a Time Capsule. Her dorm will already have a wireless network. How can she use the Time Capsule on an existing network and still have some security?

Using an Ethernet cable, she should connect the Time Capsule directly to the Mac's Ethernet port and backup files that way. The Mac will not be able to connect to the Internet when the Ethernet cable is connected and backups are running.
If the Time Capsule is configured to "join" the campus wireless network using wireless only.....which is not supported by Apple..... then backups must occur very slowly over that "public" network. Definitely not recommended.
If is not too late to return the Time Capsule....there are better, and less expensive options here.

Can Time Capsule Join Existing Wireless Network?

I currently work in a building with a wireless network. In my own office, I use AX to join that wireless network and I connect a local printer to the USB port.
From some posts, I've gotten the idea that the Time Capsule will not join an existing wireless network.
Is that the case?

That is correct - Time Capsule cannot be configured to function as a wireless client on an existing wireless network. The only Apple Airport product currently able to do that is the Airport Express device.
It can be configured as a remote base station in a wireless distribution system (WDS), but this would require the wireless network's main base station to be another Time Capsule or any model of Airport Extreme base station.

Time Capsule and Existing Wireless Network

I've previously used time machine to back up my G5 & Powerbook to separate external hard disks. I've just bought time capsule so that I could back up both computers to the same drive.
However, when powering on the Time Capsule device it is not visible on my existing network (called Wireless LAN) and instead it seems to have created a separate network called Apple Network b73829.
If I switch to this network I can see the Time Capsule device and it is also visible in Time Machine preferences but I cannot access the internet or any of my other wireless devices (Extreme Base Station etc.) which form the Wireless LAN network; I must switch back to this network if I want internet access.
What I don't want to do at this stage is replace my existing base station with the time capsule device; I just want to use it for backing up wirelessly.
I have reset the device several times now but it just will not join this existing network - what am I doing wrong?
Many thanks & regards,
Cliff
Brighton, UK

OK, so I have done this and it's made no difference. The new network Apple Network b73829 is still present alongside Wireless LAN.
I can only access Time Capsule if I switch to the new network, with the resulting loss of internet access from my Powerbook and, if I switch back to Wireless LAN I regain internet access but cannot see Time Capsule.
Although I just want to use Time Capsule to back up I have tried to connect it to my wireless LAN using the Join Existing Network on Airport Utility (even though I've been told I don't need to do this for Time Machine) but it has failed each time. After entering the password and wireless password information etc. and pressing update the Time Capsule device does re-start but there is ALWAYS an error message that says the device cannot be found and I should check that I am close to it (it's 3 feet away) or I should connect via Ethernet. If I connect via Ethernet it seems to disable the wireless functionality that I bought the device for.

Benefits of Time Capsule on existing wireless network

I have a generation 1 time capsule that I have never used. Recently, since purchasing an apple tv and ipad, while also have multiple PCs running on my network, I thought I should retire my old netgear (IEEE™ 802.11 b/g 2.4 GHz) and replace it with my time capsule as the main wireless router to support all my network traffic.
I was thinking should I just use my time capsule as an extended base station to my network? I live in an apartment and don't need to extend my range so I'm not sure what the point of that would be??
And can you have the time capsule as an additional base station to just handle n-band traffic? How will my apple tv and ipad know what to talk to if both routers are near?
Any advice?

I read from an apple support guide that "Adding Wi-Fi base stations when it is unnecessary can reduce Wi-Fi throughput because the Wi-Fi network will require more data management overhead.
All this is saying is that if you have 2 Apple wireless devices both configured the same way and they are too close together, it's possible that interference may slow down the connection just a bit.
This is not your situation at all. You are using different devices, configured differently to provide two different networks. If anything, performance will improve because the "n" devices will be using one network and the other devices another. It's like having a dual band wireless router.
Message was edited by: Bob Timmons

How to connect time capsule to existing wireless router

Hi
I am struggling to set up my time capsule is it possible to connect it to my existing wireless router or does the time capsule have to replace it as I have tried to do that but I cannot get a connection or signal to the WAN port?
I have the set up instructions but its not helping I am a complete novice at this.
Any help or links much appreciated

Yes you can.
Just plug the TC into one of the Ethernet ports on your router. WAN port on the TC.
Before you do that, set the TC up to be in 'bridge mode' in AirPort Utility.

"Unexpected error" (s) trying to add Extreme and Time Capsule to existing apple network

Hi, I am running an Airport Extreme as Base Station, plus an Airport Extreme and and two Time Capsules (serving different computers) extending the network. Everything network wise crashed last night and I have managed to factory reset the Base Station and one Time Capsule by creating a completely new network. I can see the other AE and TC in Airport Utility but overtime I try to connect them it shows 'Unexpected Error'. I have tried factory reset.Any thoughts as to the best methodology for success please? Thanks in advance.

Thanks for the reply. Eventually I created another new network all via the iMac, and got the AE base station and the two TCs working, but the other AE defied my best efforts...until I was connecting my iPad to the new network and decided to use the Airport Utility on the iPad. For some reason that worked. Can only assume some network conflict or similar software issue. I hate not knowing the root cause, but at least it's working. Cheers.

Joining time capsule to existing wireless network

I want to back up my computer to time capsule
My time capsule was previously set up as my own wireless base station, with ethernet cord plugged in.
I'm currently staying in a house with it's own wireless router/network, and I just want to use the time capsule to back up through the house network, not as its own base station. How do I join it to the existing wireless network and set it up for time machine backups?
thanks

Are you able to log onto to the old wireless network that the Time Capsule is providing and open AirPort Utility - Manual Setup?
Macintosh HD > Applications > Utilities > AirPort Utility
If yes,
Click the Wireless tab just below the row of icons
Write down all of the current settings for safekeeping.
Then, make these changes:
Wireless Mode = Join a wireless network. If you do not see this choice, hold down the option key on your Mac while you click on the selection box
Wireless Network Name = Name of the network you want to join
Wireless Security = WPA2 Personal
Wireless Password = Wireless Password
Confirm Password
Click Update to save settings. The Time Capsule will disappear from AirPort Utility, so close AirPort Utility. After 30-40 seconds, the Time Capsules should have a green light.
You'll need to reset Time Machine so it can find the Time Capsule
Open System Preferences (gear icon) on the dock
Open Time Machine
Click Select Disk
Click your Time Capsule to highlight it
Click Use for Backups
That should get you going.
Message was edited by: Bob Timmons

Time Capsule on Extended Wifi Network

I have an Airport Extreme Base Station connected to my internet modem. I had an Airport Express extended from the AP Extreme and it worked great. Today I installed a Time Capsule and it extended from my Airpport Extreme like I expected. Now I am trying to add on / "extend" from the Time Capsule the Airport Express. Airport Utility sees the Express (I think) but I cannot seem to get the Express to be extended from the TC. Is this a possible configuration? If so, what are your thoughts on what I am doing wrong?
Thanks
Adrian

Now I am trying to add on / "extend" from the Time Capsule the Airport Express. Airport Utility sees the Express (I think) but I cannot seem to get the Express to be extended from the TC. Is this a possible configuration?
Sorry, but not a possible configuration.
Apple's "extend" setup works like the hub and spokes of a wheel.
Your AirPort Extreme is the "hub". Each "extending" device resides at the end of a "spoke". You can have multiple "extending" devices, but each one is located at the end of a spoke.
Devices at the ends of spokes always communicate directly to the hub, not to another device at the end of another spoke.

Connect Time Capsule to existing wifi network

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