Ethernet Issues with Time Capsule and Airplay

Question

I am running OSX v10.9.2.  I have a 3-week old 3TB Time Casule (TC) connected by Ethernet cable to a DSL modem.  I broadcast our wireless network from the TC rather than from the DSL modem because of the faster speed that TC provides.  My computers (iMac also 3 weeks old) and a Windows laptop are connected to the network via a fibre optic cable LAN.  There are also three 2nd generation Airport Express modules which I use to push music around the house.
When I connect my iMac to the WiFi network, I have zero problems reaching Time Capsule, backing up my iMac using Time Machine or pushing music throughout the house.
However, when I switch to Ethernet (my preferred network access), the TC and the Airport Express units drop (have orange warning signs in Airport Utility).  Additionally, TC drops from my “finder shared menu” (but oddly enough, not each and every time).  When this happens, I switch to WiFi and all returns to normal.
Since I prefer using Ethernet, what can I do to eliminate this problem…or is this something that I need to wait for Apple to address/resolve?  I was online with Apple Support and they claim the problem stems from the OSX Firewall and that I use bitDefender as a virus protector.  However, when I disable them (and restart the computer each step of the way), the problem is not solved. It may work for about a minute or 2 (only after restart) but then it all drops.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated!!

Answer 1

You might need to explain a bit more as fibreoptic hookups in a house are too expensive for most of us. Fibre technology is well developed but not at home level routers and switches... so unless you are using enterprise level stuff I don't know how to test it.
You do need to understand something.. the airport utility at least is 100% dependent on wireless now. It has taken me ages to understand that simple point. v5 utility was happy with either ethernet or wireless.. but the actual connections to the wireless routers as far as the OS in the computer is concerned is totally wireless. Even if you use ethernet your wireless should also be active. Just make sure it is second on the list of networks so whenever ethernet is up, it is preferred over wireless.
There is a big FATT BUTT here.. I do not like running wireless and ethernet simultaneously as I found it slows the network.. even if the order is correct. But I have not done the tests on Mavericks with the newest AC model TC. It definitely causes slow downs on earlier OS.
It is not actually possible to avoid the wireless issue .. although you can manually mount the disk in finder. That should stop it dropping out.. mostly.
Another BIG FATT BUTT.. you need to mount by IP not network names.. I have found in Mavericks network names drop in and out like a yoyo. So the only reliable method is using IP addresses. That means you need static IP on the TC at least, which is no problem as long as it the main router. If you have it in bridge, use the dsl modem to fix the IP of the TC via dhcp reservations. Or set static IP on it.
Then you go to Finder.. Go in the top menu, Connect to server.
Type in AFP://TCIPaddress
eg at default. AFP://10.0.1.1
It will search and discover the TC, and then request a password.. this is your disk access password on the TC, mostly set to device access password. It is public by default. Most likely the setup wizard will have forced you to change it.
Don't forget to save it in your keychain.
Will this fix it.. hmmm no.. probably not??
There are more bugs here than you can poke a stick insect at.
Perhaps once a week you will need to reboot everything... If it is daily or hourly.. then something more needs doing.
I do strongly recommend everything on the network using SMB names.. Not apple naming convention. Since Mavericks is now using SMB networking protocol by default.
Fix it everywhere on everything. Keep names short, no spaces and stick to pure alphanumeric.
Tell us if it helps or even if not.. !!