Setting up a Time Capsule as just a wireless backup device

All I want to do is set up a Time Capsule as a backup wireless device. I already have a functioning network on a Linksys rounter (and some of the users on this network have PC's and want NOTHING to do with my Apples-MacBook and MacBook Air). Where exactly do I connect the ethernet cable? The router as some suggest or the modem? And which ports? The set instructions are unclear and before I throw the network into chaos with an unwanted router, I would love some exact suggestions. I have connected nothing as yet. Thanks.

Welcome to the discussion area, dcarmel!
To configure the Time Capsule (TC) for backups only when another router is already present on the network, you would do the following:
Connect an ethernet cable from one of the LAN <-> ports on the Linksys router to the WAN (circle icon) port on the Time Capsule.
Open AirPort Utility - click Manual Setup
Click the Time Capsule tab below the row of icons to establish a name for your TC, a device password (write that down) and adjust time settings.
Click the Wireless tab
Wireless Mode = Off
Click the Internet icon
Connect Using = Ethernet
Connection Sharing = Off (Bridge Mode)
Click Update and the TC will restart and you should have a green light in 30-40 seconds. That's it.
Backups will occur over the Linksys wireless network. But, for the first main backup of your Mac(s), it would be great idea to connect them using an ethernet cable to one of the LAN ports on the Time Capsule since you'll be backing up the entire computer on the first pass. Ethernet will be much faster than wireless. You can do subsequent incremental backups using wireless since these normally only take a few moments.
Message was edited by: Bob Timmons

Similar Messages

  • How do i set up the time capsule with only a wireless net work? it keeps asking me to plug in a cable and i do not have one.

    how do i set up the time capsule with only a wireless net work? it keeps asking me to plug in a cable and i do not have one.

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  • Can you use the apple time capsule as just a wireless hard drive without using it as a router

    Can i use the apple time capsule as just a wireless hard drive without using  a router

    You can, but this type of configuration is not recommended or supported by Apple.
    Two cautions if you want to try this:
    1)  The Time Capsule has to be configured to "Join" your existing wireless network in this type of setup...and to do that, you must know the exact type of wireless security that your network is using.
    2)  Backups are going to take twice as long. The wireless signal must travel from your computer to the wireless router and then from the wireless router back to the Time Capsule.  Two "hops"......even if the computer is located close to the Time Capsule.
    If you want to try this, we can tell you how....but with no guarantees on your results....since this is not officially supported.

  • I bought an external hard drive from apple puter (I thought) should I be able to see my pictures in the time capsule? I never set up the time capsule I just plugged it in and it seemed ready to go. But can't see the pictures

    I bought an external hard drive from the apple store. I didn't set up time machine I just plugged it in and it seemed good to go. When I go into time capsule should I be able to see my pictures? I would think i could but all I see is a spot for the pictures to be

    Ok if disk utility was able to verify the drive I doubt there is any problem.. are you trying to open a TM backup??
    You need to mount the sparsebundle then check the actual info inside the bundle.
    Don't use disk warrior.. if the disk has verified then unless you deliberately deleted files there is nothing that is going to do.
    Pondini has a lot of stuff about getting access to the sparsebundle.
    http://pondini.org/TM/17.html
    But if you have copied info to the TC that is now gone.. and the disk is ok.. I am not sure.. the TC will not have deleted the files itself.

  • Can time capsule be used for wireless backup without serving as a router?

    can time capsule be set and used for wireless backup without serving as a router?

    Not if you want it to work.
    If you do want stand alone .. ie a TC sitting all on its lonesome with no internet connection.. then reset to factory and start over..
    The TC has to be in router mode so it can handle dhcp and addressing.
    Ignore all the problems.
    BUT then you can connect your computer to TC for backup
    OR
    you can connect to main wireless router for internet..
    You cannot do both.. at the same time.
    UNLESS you have ethernet connection.. to either main modem or TC.. if you have two networks and two different network clients, then you can do both at once but the setup is tricky.

  • How to set up the time capsule

    How do I set up the time capsule for just back up

    How do I set up the time capsule for just back up

  • Using time capsule solely as a back up device

    I have a very advanced AC router that is a great home network. I want to use my time capsule solely as a back up device -- for my imac, which is ethernet wired to my router, and my kids' two macbook airs, which connect to the ac router wirelessly.  Can I hook up the time capsule by ethernet cable to the exiting router, and disable the wireless functionality of the time capsule? I dont want two competing wireless netorks in the house.

    It is counterintuitive, but you must first set up the Time Capsule to create a wireless network.......which you don't need, but it will automatically choose the correct Bridge Mode setting for the Time Capsule....which you do need.
    Once the Time Capsule is setup to create a network, then you have to go back in using AirPort Utility and turn off the wireless function of the Time Capsule.
    Here is how to do it:
    Connect an Ethernet cable from one of the LAN <--> Ethernet ports on your AC router to the WAN "O" port on the Time Capsule
    Click the AirPort icon at the top of the iMac's screen and look for a listing of Time Capsule under a heading of New AirPort Base Station. The illustration below pictures an AirPort Extreme.
    Then, click on Time Capsule
    The setup utility will open up automatically and suggest that you create a new network, with a screen like this, except you will see a picture of the Time Capsule:
    Type in a short name for the Network
    Type in a name that you want to call the Time Capsule. Use a short name.  Mine is TC
    Type in a password for the Time Capsule
    Verify the password
    Click Next
    The utility will set up everything for you. When you see the message of Setup Complete, click Done.
    Now click on the picture of the Time Capsule
    Click Edit and enter the password if required
    Click the Wireless tab at the top of the screen
    Change the setting for Network Mode from Create a wireless network to Off
    Click Update at the lower right of the window and wait a minute for the Time Capsule to restart.
    You are all set.

  • HT201250 I am having trouble setting up my time capsule.  the amber light is flashing.  i have a Verizon FIOS network that i use for the internet (WiFi) and do not want to configure the Time Capsule to do that function.  I just want the Time Capsule to ba

    I am having trouble setting up my time capsule.  the amber light is flashing.  i have a Verizon FIOS network that i use for the internet (WiFi) and do not want to configure the Time Capsule to do that function.  I just want the Time Capsule to back up.

    Simple.. bridge the TC.. in the apple utility in the NAT and DHCP area.
    Plug it into the FIOS router.. you can turn off wireless in the TC if you want.. or use it.. it can work faster if you are nearby and can select 5ghz.. but up to you.

  • I just set up my Time Capsule and would like to back up my old MacBook with Tiger (10.4.11) to it

    I just set up my Time Capsule and would like to back up my old MacBook with Tiger (10.4.11) to it so I can access the files with out taking up space on my new MacBook Pro.  Since I've purchased this time capsule I've heard that using it as a "server" it not ideal, but at this point I don't have a lot of other options.  Any advice on the best way to back up my old computer and be able to access these files from my new computer??

    Open Macintosh HD and look for the Time Capsule icon under the SHARED heading on the left side of the Finder window
    Click on the Time Capsule icon and a folder representing the drive will appear to the right. The folder will be named "Data" unless you have changed the name of the drive.
    You may need to click Connect As in the upper right hand corner of the window and enter the Time Capsule device password to get the folder to display the first time that you do this.
    Once the folder is displayed, double click the folder to mount the drive on the desktop. You can drag/drop files onto the icon. This is going to be very tedious, but it can be done.
    I would suggest that you look at an application like Carbon Copy Cloner to automatically backup the files that you select. Then you can schedule the applcation to automatically backup any files that have changed each day.
    More info here:   Carbon Copy Cloner - Home

  • Quick question!!  Is it mandatory that I set up my DSL through the time capsule? I'd like to leave my current modem from my provider as the primary unit for networking.  So in other words can I just set up the time capsule as a back-up device for now and

    Quick question!!  Is it mandatory that I set up my time capsule as my DSL modem?  Based on the location of my iMAC right now it would be better to just leave the modem provided by my internet provider in place.  I really just want to use the time capsule as a back-up storage device for now and connnect the ethernet cable from my ISP at a later date.

    Generally it is easier to bridge the TC and plug it into the router.. it then lives on the network.. it is after all, a network drive.. and you can access it via your existing connection whether wireless or wired to the existing modem.
    If you really want a totally stand alone setup please tell me how you are presently accessing internet on the Mac you want to backup on the TC.

  • How can I set up my time capsule as the primary base station with a centurylink router? I'm trying to extend my coverage, increase signal strength, and be able to connect a printer.

    I recently moved and now I'm trying to set up my Time Capsule as the primary base station or router with an existing network that has a Centurylink modem/router. The TC still has the settings for my old network. I also have backups on it. I have the data backed up to another HD so it's not an issue to return it to factory settings if doing so deletes the back ups. Do I need to restore it to the factory settings to set it up? Also, what settings would I select on the TC (and the Centurylink modem/router) in order for the TC to serve as the router, instead of the Centurylink router? I want to be able to use the TC to back up my Mac's, print wirelessly, and improve overall performance. I tried setting the TC up and ended with 2 different networks. Can anyone please help me with this?

    The TC has to plug into the existing modem router by ethernet.. you cannot use wireless.
    You have a choice of which is router.. only if Centurylink agree to bridge their modem router.. this has to be done by the ISP and often they do not allow it.
    Is your broadband cable or adsl or fibre or ???
    If it is cable and you are allowed to purchase your own cable modem pick a pure modem version with no router in it.. plug the TC into it by ethernet.
    Setup the TC in DHCP and NAT mode.. (depending on broadband type).
    You must reset the TC to factory to do the setup.. no files are lost at all.
    Here is my current recommended setup.. with Yosemite life has become harder than ever.
    Factory reset universal
    Power off the TC.. ie pull the power cord or power off at the wall.. wait 10sec.. hold in the reset button.. be gentle.. power on again still holding in reset.. and keep holding it in for another 10sec. You may need some help as it is hard to both hold in reset and apply power. It will show success by rapidly blinking the front led. Release the reset.. and wait a couple of min for the TC to reset and come back with factory settings. If the front LED doesn’t blink rapidly you missed it and simply try again. The reset is fairly fragile in these.. press it so you feel it just click and no more.. I have seen people bend the lever or even break it. I use a toothpick as tool.
    N.B. None of your files on the hard disk of the TC are deleted.. this simply clears out the router settings of the TC.
    Setup the TC again.
    ie Start from a factory reset. No files are lost on the hard disk doing this.
    Then redo the setup from the computer with Yosemite.
    1. Use very short names.. NOT APPLE RECOMMENDED names. No spaces and pure alphanumerics.
    eg TCgen5 and TCwifi for basestation and wireless respectively.
    Even better if the issue is more wireless use TC24ghz and TC5ghz with fixed channels as this also seems to help stop the nonsense. But this can be tried in the second round.
    2. Use all passwords that also comply but can be a bit longer. ie 8-20 characters mixed case and numbers.. no non-alphanumerics.
    3. Ensure the TC always takes the same IP address.. you will need to do this on the main router using dhcp reservation.. or a bit more complex setup using static IP in the TC. But this is important.. having IP drift all over the place when Yosemite cannot remember its own name for 5 min after a reboot makes for poor networking. If the TC is main router it will not be an issue.
    4. Check your share name on the computer is not changing.. make sure it also complies with the above.. short no spaces and pure alphanumeric.. but this change will mess up your TM backup.. so be prepared to do a new full backup. Sorry.. keep this one for second round if you want to avoid a new backup.
    5. Mount the TC disk in the computer manually.
    In Finder, Go, Connect to server from the top menu,
    Type in SMB://192.168.0.254 (or whatever the TC ip is which you have now made static. As a router by default it is 10.0.1.1 and I encourage people to stick with that unless you know what you are doing).
    You can use name.. SMB://TCgen5.local where you replace TCgen5 with your TC name.. local is the default domain of the TC and doesn't change.
    However names are not so easy as IP address.. nor as reliable. At least not in Yosemite they aren't. The domain can also be an issue if you are not plugged or wireless directly to the TC.
    6. Make sure IPv6 is set to link-local only in the computer. For example wireless open the network preferences, wireless and advanced / TCP/IP.. and fix the IPv6. to link-local only.
    There is a lot more jiggery pokery you can try but the above is a good start.. if you find it still unreliable.. don't be surprised.
    You might need to do some more work on the laptop itself. eg Reset the PRAM.. has helped some people. Clean install of the OS is also helpful if you upgrade installed.
    Tell us how you go.
    Someone posted a solution.. See this thread.
    Macbook can't find Time Capsule anymore
    Start from the bottom and work up.. I have a list of good network practice changes but I have avoided Yosemites bug heaven.
    This user has had success and a few others as well.
    RáNdÓm GéÉzÁ
    Here is why Yosemite has fundamental issues.
    http://arstechnica.com/apple/2015/01/why-dns-in-os-x-10-10-is-broken-and-what-yo u-can-do-to-fix-it/

  • Okay so I set up my Time Capsule already and is now backing up 2 of my iMacs. Works great. What I want to know is how to use the TC to directly store files? I want to do this to delete some files but still have them on the TC for future reference..

    Okay so I set up my Time Capsule already and is now backing up 2 of my iMacs. Works great. What I want to know is how to use the TC to directly store files? I want to do this to delete some files on iMac 20inch but still have them on the TC for future reference..eg some movies on iTunes. I want to directly save them on the drive so I can delete them from iTunes and gain some storage. (Ps on iMac 20 inch (it's almost full - 320 GB) when I enter time machine, a tab comes up on finder which reads "Time Machine backups" it's able to be ejected like a disc or a connected device. On the iMac 20 inch, I dragged some files onto there as if using it like a hard drive. Is this the correct method? Then I went to my 27inch iMac and saw the "Time Machine Backups" hoping to see the files I dragged from the 20inch iMac. But the files were not there except a folder that said "Backups.backupdb". Can someone help me?

    It's not a good idea to use a network disk for both Time Machine backups and other things.  By design Time Machine will eventually consume all the space on its output disk, which will then cause problem for your other files.  I'd store those other files on an external disk connected to the Time Capsule.  The problem with that is that Time Machine will only back up files that are local to your Mac.  That means that you'll only have one copy of the files on or attached to your Time Capsule.
    By the way, you've been misled by poor field labeling on this forum into typing a large part of your message into the field intended for the subject.  In the future just type a short summary of your post into that field and type the whole message into the field below that.

  • I want to set up my time capsule on a completely new network & location without losing the old backups. How do I do this?

    I want to set up my time capsule on a completely new network & location without losing the old backups. How do I do this? I cannot find anything in the user manual.

    The TC is very hard to just move.. it retains too much of the old network setup.. buried deep in the bowels of the firmware configuration files.. or even on the hard disk special partitions used by the TC.. invisible to you btw.. !!
    Do a factory reset and setup from scratch.
    That factory reset will have no affect on your backups.. even if you rename the TC.. not a bad things since you also want clients to respond to the new network.. simply reset TM to the new TC name and location.
    See A4 here.
    http://pondini.org/TM/Troubleshooting.html
    Factory reset.
    The Factory Reset Gen1-4.
    Unplug your TC. Hold in reset. and power the TC back on.. without releasing reset for about 10sec. When the status light flashes rapidly; release it.
    Be Gentle! Feel the switch click on. It has a positive feel..  add no more pressure after that.
    TC will reboot after a couple of minutes with default factory settings and will wipe out previous configurations.
    No files are deleted on the hard disk.. No reset of the TC deletes files.. to do that you use erase from the airport utility.
    Factory reset Gen 5
    Hold in reset for about 5sec until the status light flashes quickly.
    If your AirPort Time Capsule still doesn’t respond, do a similar reset to the Gen1-4.
    Unplug your AirPort Time Capsule .. hold in reset and power the TC back on.. without releasing the reset.. wait until status led flashes rapidly.

  • How do I set up the Time Capsule without an internet connection

    How do I set up the Time Capsule as a wireless hard drive without an internet connection.   I am in a office situation in which I cannot access my work network.  I need to be able to share files on the Time Capsule over the wire connection.

    Are you using a v6 uitlity.. because it is a toy.. ??
    Get v5 utility and then you can hold down the option key and select the right mode.
    If you have lion, just install it.. For ML follow this.
    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.

  • I'm setting up my Time Capsule for the first time and cannot get an internet connection throughWAN connection

    I'm setting up my Time Capsule for the first time and can't get an internet connection via ethernet cord

    So new AC model TC??
    What modem is it? Pure cable modem .. did you power cycle the modem ( OFF for at least 30min..)??
    This is essential to lose the old setup and start afresh. 
    How have you setup the TC?
    Did you try just bridge to existing router? If it doesn't get an IP and you just bought it, possible it is faulty.
    Lots more details.. really important things like did the ethernet connectivity leds go on.. both the TC port and the modem port - front ethernet indicator should light up..

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