Setting up Time Capsule for backup only on existing wireless network

I have a wireless network already set up with a NetGear wireless router. Cable plugs into router, router connected via ethernet cable to my Power Mac G5 desktop, plus 2 PC laptops in the house also connect wirelessly to the home network via this router.
I want to set up Time Capsule as an external hard drive to back up all three computers -- I don't necessarily need to use it as a wireless router although i'm not opposed to that if it's easier to do it that way.
When i try to set it up using AirPort utility, i get the amber flashing light. Airport utility is able to discover the device, and then always asks if it's OK to switch networks. I've tried both "switch" and "don't switch"; either way when i try to set it up, AirPort utility stalls out on "Reading Time Capsule Configuration"; eventually giving me the error msg: "Base Station Error: AirPort Utility was unable to find your Apple wireless device."
All i want to do is mount it as an external hard drive so i can use Time Machine for backup, and be able to use it to also back up the PC laptops wirelessly. I need help in the following three areas:
1. How should I be physically connecting my devices if i want to do this? Which cables go in which ports? There is only one ethernet port on the back of my G5. The G5 can connect to the router either wirelessly OR via ethernet cable. I've tried G5-->Time Capsule-->Router, G5-->Router-->Time Capsule, Router-->G5 PLUS Router-->Time Capsule, and I've tried every variation on the regular ethernet and WAN ports. What's the right way to do this.
2. If i'm not setting up the TC as a Wireless Router, is AirPort utility even the right tool for setting it up? it seems to be confused by the two wireless networks and won't let me get past that point. Am I supposed to click "Switch" when it asks me to switch networks? Is there a way to just mount it as an external drive and bypass the AirPort utility setup entirely?
3. Once i get it set up so it's visible as an external drive and usable for Time Machine backup, how do i then make it available to the other PCs on the network so they can back up to it also?
Thanks for your help.

sarah,
You already have an existing wireless network.
You do not need to plug the Time Capsule into anything except power.
Set the Time Capsule to "Join an existing wireless network"...
That is all you need to do.
Then all the computers should see the Time Capsule.
If you can't see "Join an existing wireless network" in the choices, hold down on the option key and then click on the choices.
Give that a try.

Similar Messages

Using Time Capsule for backup only (no Wifi)

I posted a problem in another thread ( https://discussions.apple.com/message/22500623#22500623 ) about conflicts with my Time Capsule and Comcast modem. Apple concluded that there was a hardware problem with the Time Capsule. I got a new Time Capsule yesterday since I couldn't get a refund on the old one. Because configuring the Time Capsule to work as a Wifi station requires such a hassle and I don't get any extra benefits in terms of speed compared to my Comcast modem, I now have a very expensive hard drive for backup. I have some questions about using the TC for backup only since I am running into some problems with the backup.
1. Does the TC have to be connected to my modem? It seems that when I do not connect the TC to the modem then I end up with the backup stalling after a few GB. Additionally, I end up with the flashing amber light.
2. If I do connect the TC to the modem it backs up but my WIFI grinds to a halt (likely a product of all the data pushing from the computer through the modem and to the TC). I should add that in Airport Utility I have turned off WIFI on the TC so it should not be interfering with the WIFI. If I do need to connect to the modem are there any tips for not messing up WIFI speeds beyond just backing up when everyone is asleep? I assume not, but it can't hurt to ask.
Thanks.

2. My initial setup showe various errors so I hooked the TC into the modem via the WAN port and then I was able to set up (WIFI off, Bridge Mode OFF) and those errors went away.
If I understand your last post correctly, you say that I should do a reset on the TC. Re-configure but leave the errors because backups will still work. Then I can leave the TC unplugged until I need to use it (which has the added bonus of limited flashing amber light). Is this correct?
You are setting up the TC in the wrong mode.. it has to be in Router mode.. Not Bridge..
You are worrying too much about the flashing amber.. it is irrelevant. You can select ignore and it will go green.
This setup is actually simple.
So here is what I suggest.
1. Factory reset the TC.
Just to get started from a clean setup. And that will put the TC in the correct mode.. ie dhcp and nat.
2. Plug it by ethernet LAN TC to computer. On the computer no other connection.. turn off wireless.
3. Just change the name of the TC to something short as it helps.. eg TCGen5
And turn the wireless off.
And ignore all the other problems.
4. Now setup TM.. I would also start clean.. do a fresh TM setup .. see A4 here.
http://pondini.org/TM/Troubleshooting.html
5. Run the backup. Maybe even erase the TC before you start so you are really doing a fresh clean backup.
The very first backup will start quickly and drop to very slow speed as there are heaps of very small files in the system.. these take a long time to process.. but as it proceeds it will speed up. Overall you should still average 50GB/hr.
6. Once you complete the first backup, later ones should be fine.. but do not expect them to work as well as when you do it hourly.. it does need to do a lot more work to figure out where the TM backup is up to.
I would like to get you to have another crack at using the TC properly in the network. When you are over the pain of all this.. and perhaps when apple releases a decent firmware update you can go back to it.. but I have another suggestion for setup. Get the above working first so you have a good first backup of all your computers.

I want to use the Time Capsule for backup only.

I picked up a Time Capsule thinking I could use it just for backups. So far, I've been unable to connect to it. I did set it up to extend my current WiFi network, but now I can't see it with Time Machine. What do I do to make the Time Capsule to function just as a wireless back up drive?

OK, I tried this, what happened is that my iMac lost connection to the Internet while the Ethernet connection was active.
I said to do this only whilst you setup the TC.. and maybe do the initial backup .. otherwise the idea is to put the TC into the network, which is what you were trying to do.. but obviously do it so that it works.
As stated, if you bridge the TC.. simply update it.. and plug it into the main router by ethernet. You should now be able to do what you wanted.. connect to it by wireless and use it for backups. The fact that it is linked to the network is absolutely necessary if you want internet at the same time as backups are running. The wireless cannot connect to two different routers at the same time.
I'd like to know how do I not have it override my Wifi connection and allow me to access the hard drive? If I can't do this, I'll be forced to take the Time Capsule back.
Please give me exact steps how to setup and use a Time Capsule just as a hard drive. Thanks!
You only need to do this if you intend to keep the TC connected only to your computer by ethernet, without a network connection.. is that what you want?
The trick is very simple. Set ethernet manually not by dhcp.. do not set a gateway (router) or DNS for ethernet.
You can also simply change wifi connection to the top of the list. Both of these are set in the Mac itself not the TC.. the TC can just run as router but with nothing connected.. and ignore the lack of connection.
The end point of this process though is you have the TC doing what an external hard drive can do, better cheaper and faster. To use the TC as a backup device only connected by ethernet or wireless is a waste.
Tell me what you want to do.. ie your preferred setup in the light of the previous discussion and I will give you all the screen shots for the exact steps to set that up. I will need to know what IP your current router uses.. and the dhcp range if possible.

How do I use Time Capsule for backup only over an existing network (or ethernet)

Ok, first, I have been using Mac now for about 2 years and every little thing I do is much harder than advertised. I have yet to experience the mythical ease of Apple products.
With that said, I was talked into buying this 2TB Time Capsule. Which right now seems to serve nicely as a very expensive paper weight.
Here's what I am trying to do. I was told I could use this as a wireless backup. I have a cable modem and router in my house. I do not want to insert Time Capsule as the router. I would like to either hook it up to the existing network or have it just wireless. Whatever works best for backup use.
I set the time capsule up to connect to an existing network. Which it did. Green light is on.
When I select it as a backup drive in Time Machine, it works. However it does not back up. It will say Waiting to Backup and do nothing. If I select Back Up Now on Time Machine, it says it cannot find the disk.
Is it possibly because I had used another backup disk prior and kept it? When I set the Time Capsule I selected to use both.
I am at a loss. I am not a techie. And there are more options of use than the instructions cover.

The problem is your method of connection I suspect.
The TC was always designed to plug into the main router. It does not have to be in the same room but it has to be ethernet connected.
Please post a few screenshots of the setup.. that makes it so much easier for me to work through it with you.
Posting screenshots here is easy.. press the little camera and select the shot from finder.
What I need is the summary page from your airport utility.. ie this one.
Then click on edit button which I have highlighted and show me the tabs for Internet, Network and wireless. eg this is the internet. (show me the whole thing.. I have cut it off to keep it small).
We can then work through the issues.

Time Capsule in Standalone Mode with Existing Wireless Network

Hi there,
I hope someone can help. I'm not quite sure where to post this question, so I hope I am in the right place. Ive found various posts on this matter but just would like some assistance with my personal set up.
I have a new retina MacBook Pro arriving soon which will be running Mountain Lion. I've also just purchased a current model Time Capsule for the purpose of wireless backups via Time Machine and would like some advice on how to integrate it into my system.
I already have a wireless Internet connection set up and running well (through a D-link DSL-2740R router) so I don't want to mess around with that (for various reasons it took a long while to set up). I'm therefore looking at running the Time Capsule in a standalone way but I am guessing in doing so it will create a second wifi network (although it will not be connected to the Internet). I appreciate I cannot connect to two wireless networks at once but whilst in the local Apple store recently, one of the assistants mentioned that this would not be a problem for Mountain Lion with regard to Time Machine backups and that I would not have to use bridge mode or anything on the Time Capsule. However I unfortunately had to leave the store before I could find out how to go about setting this up.
I would therefore be grateful if anyone could help with how to set the Time Capsule up in Mountain Lion as mentioned above so that I can get it up and running when my Macbook Pro turns up.
Also, once set up, I would like to use the USB port on the Time Capsule to attach a powered hub to connect multiple USB hard drives. Could someone please confirm that this will work in whatever manner I have to set the Time Capsule up and also whether Time Machine can back these drives up to the Time Capsule as well.
I would say that networks etc. are not my strong point so would be grateful for answers aimed at novice (or lower!) level of technical experience.
Many thanks for your help.
Steve Harvey

This is really the same option as bridging the TC..
You cannot use the TC as a router in the UK.. well mostly not, because all your ISP use PPPoA authentication.. there are some who have recognised the error of following BT blindly and now also use PPPoE. But you cannot authenticate the TC to the modem using pppoa protocol. So there is no way the TC can be in any mode but bridge..
Don't worry if the above didn't make a lot of sense.
When you bridge the TC.. it will act as a switch and WAP, plus hard disk to network.
The wireless can indeed be left on.. even on both devices.. that isn't actually a problem.. although I prefer to set one or both routers to a fix wireless channel.
You can also turn off the dlink wireless but I think you will find the dlink wireless rather better than the TC.
For 2.4ghz there are only 3 non-overlapping channels, 1, 6, 11 ( although you can also use 13 in UK).
The TC is only N lite on 2.4ghz ie max speed is 150mbps.. It will only need one channel.
The Dlink is full N ie 300 or 270mbps and to do this requires 2 channels.. that means you need to be very specifc.. and might be better infact setting the dlink to also only use 1 channel.. ie 20mhz only not 40mhz.
Again if you are not following don't worry.. I will be specific.
Set the dlink wireless to channel 1.. and set it to 20mhz only. The dlink should still have better range than the TC..
Place the TC in a place as far away as you can get.. next room or wireless dead spot would be excellent.. use ethernet or EOP adapters.
Bridge the TC.
Set the TC to channel 11 or 13 as you prefer..
Give it the same wireless name.. (SSID to everyone else) as the Dlink.
Same security setting WPA2 AES on the dlink WPA2 Personal on the TC.
Same passkey.
You now have a roaming system.
ie the laptop should connect to the strongest signal.. just like a mobile phone does as you travel.
The 5ghz will also be available to your computer if the signal is good enough.. range is very poor though.
I do recommend you run 5.6 utility.. this is tricky as it won't install on mountain Lion.
You need to download the utility.
http://support.apple.com/kb/DL1482
Download and install unpkg
http://www.macupdate.com/app/mac/16357/unpkg
Open the 5.6 dmg.. and drag the pkg over a running unpkg.. it will then load the files into a new directory on the desktop.. just drag the airportutility5.6 to your utilites directory.
v6.1 utility in Lion and Mountain Lion is a toy version.

Use TC for Wireless Printing and Backups Only on Existing Wireless Network

I am fairly clueless about this whole issue. I set up my current Belkin wireless router several years ago, and haven't had to fool with it once. I don't want to have to touch it--if it ain't broke............ However, I would like to use my Time Capsule I just purchased to backup via Time Machine wirelessly and attach a USB printer and print wirelessly. So the TC will not be used for internet, just want a separate wireless point for printing and backing up. Is this possible? I am not sure which choice to choose in Airport utility. I tried a couple different ways, and it didn't work. Can't honestly tell you what I tried, am a bit confused at this point!

If you have not already done so, I suggest that your start over on the AirPort Expess "from scratch" by performing a Factory Default Reset and then attempt to configure it to join the network again.
Resetting an AirPort Base Station or Time Capsule FAQ
If you have an older Express, make sure that you are not trying to configure it to connect to the 5 GHz network, as it is unable to do so.
Assuming that the name of the wireless network, wireless security setting and password on the Express match up with the AirPort Extreme, the Express should "join" the network if it is working correctly.
If you are still having problems, all that you really can do is try the default reset a few more times. If still no luck, the Express....which is at least 5-6 years old or older, may likely need to be replaced with a new model.

Does my time capsule HAVE to join my existing wireless network please?

ok i am trying to get my TC to join my wireless network but its not having it!!
(it was but now i cant seem to get it to work)
so my question is....can i just have its as its own separate wireless network just to talk with my macbook & imac so they can back up wirelessly please?
or would this cause problems as they are on my personal home wireless network??
anyone know please?
thanks!

so my question is....can i just have its as its own separate wireless network just to talk with my macbook & imac so they can back up wirelessly please?
You can do, but you don't need to.
If you create a separate WLAN for your Time Capsule then you'll need to switch your clients to the TC WLAN to make their backups, then switch them back to the regular LAN when they're done. Bear in mind that your regular WLAN (and, presumably your internet access, etc.) will be unavailable while you're switch to the other WLAN.
There has to be a better way, surely? Of course. If your existing WLAN is working well enough for you, then just connect the TimeCapsule to your existing network via an ethernet cable. Now it will be part of your LAN, all your clients can see it and back up to it, but you don't have any issues with having to switch AirPort networks on the client (in effect, your client sends its data wirelessly to your existing base station which then forwards the data over the ethernet LAN. Problem solved.

Possible to simultaneously use time capsule for backup + another router for internet?

I will soon be moving into an apartment in which my landlord provides wireless internet through her own router.
I also have my own Time Capsule, which I'd like to continue to use to back up my Mac via Time Machine.
Is it possible to connect to both my Time Capsule (for backup only) and another router (for internet only) at the same time?
If not, can anyone suggest a good workaround?

moskovit wrote:
I've done a little research, and it looks like I might be able to wirelessly daisy chain the two routers, using WDS (wireless distribution system), assuming my landlord's router supports it, but that this would drop the speed of the internet significantly: https://discussions.apple.com/thread/2623802?start=0&tstart=0
It works extremely poorly and the landlord would need to agree to it.. plus it would require use of WEP security which is hackable by children with internet hack kits in about 2min flat. Don't go there. Apple have made their products incompatible with most other routers. So any suggestion of a workaround will involve spending some money on your part.
You could buy a airport express and plug that into the main router by ethernet.. again if allowed. Your TC can do wireless bridge to another apple product very well. Messy but could work. It is not that expensive to get a second hand AEBS and use that. You don't need the latest products but wireless range would be better in the AEBS than AE.
So I'm still wondering: Is there another workaround? Is there a way to get my mac to connect to my time capsule (for backup) and another router (for internet) simultaneously, or is that just technologically impossible? If it's impossible, is there another solution?
You cannot wirelessly connect to two different wireless devices at once on one client. You need to either have a second wireless client in the laptop.. for instance a USB stick which can be fairly tiny nowadays. It is just you need to find one with Mac drivers. Or the TC must have internet connectivity. You could get that by buying a wireless bridge, and using that in your room, with the TC plugged into it. Universal wireless bridge devices are fairly cheap, but can be a pain to setup. Look for products that work with the main router and use as fast a speed as possible. It can be a tricky setup as you need the wireless bridge working on one channel and the TC working on another. What I am suggesting is the WDS solution you found but using two different boxes to do it. And not using WDS at all, unless the main router is suitable, but rather universal bridge.
The hassle of all that suggests to me,, I would go for the wireless stick, so your Mac laptop has two wireless clients.
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/iMAC-MAC-Apple-Airport-G3-G4-G5-OS-X-USB-WIRELESS-CAR D-/290538112833?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item43a56bc741
I have no idea if this works just to show you what I mean. Please do research it yourself.
An ethernet connection to the TC is far superior solution albeit would require you to plug and unplug it.

I want to install a new Time Capsule for backups. I also have a B box2 from Belgacom for the digital TV, so how do I install?

Hi,
I want to install a new Time Capsule for backups. I also have a B box2 from Belgacom for the digital TV, so how do I install?

Just setup the TC in bridge.
Assuming you are using Lion.. download the airport utility that has some utility.
http://support.apple.com/kb/DL1482
Then manual setup, internet tab, connection sharing.. off bridge mode.
Then plug the TC into the Bbox and just use it as wireless target for your air.
You can use wireless on Bbox if that works as well, and you might need to juggle wireless channels to get everything working. Having both set to auto is not a good idea.. set and lock channels on one or the other but best is both.. On the TC go to the airport wireless page. change it to manual.. lock the channel. You can use 1, 6, 11 or 13 in ETSI..

I need help with setting up time machine for backup

I would like help with setting up time machine for backup.

You will need an external hard drive (formatted for a Mac).
Then you plug it in and go to system preferences>time machine and select the external HD and turn it on.
The backups are automatic.
Barry

Use time capsule for backup for HP Windows computer?

How can I use Time Capsule for backup on a HP Windwos computer?

Apple does not offer Windows backup software.
A popular PC application used to backup a PC on the Time Capsule is Genie Timeline Pro. You might want to take a look:
Genie Timeline Pro | Overview | Time Machine Backup Software for ...

Using Time Capsule for backup storage as well as Time Machine back-up

Just set up Time Capsule and used Time Machine to back up files. All working OK with new backups as well, but I need to transfer files from an external hard drive to Time Capsule.
Read on Apple site, "Note: Time Machine works best if you use your back-up disk only for Time Machine backups. If you keep files on your bckup disk, Time Machine won't backup those files and the space available for Time Machine backups will be reduced.
What I really need is to have Time Machine backup everything. I don't have enough internal hard drive space on my MacBook Pro to transfer files from the external hard drive to the computer so that Time Machine could read them and back them up. How can this be accomplished? Is there another way? Thank you.

1. "Use Disk Utility in your Applications > Utilities folder to check the format of the disk. Mac OS Extended (Journaled"
I did this and the external disk is formated corectly. Thank you!
I "Entered Time Machine" again and found the external drive listed (Yes!) I reviewed files including photos and some video files and all were accessable except my iPhoto files. Note: I have been using iPhoto Manager (3rd party software) to organize my iPhoto picutres for some time now on the external drive. My internal hard drive, 125 GB, filled up years ago, so I got this program and moved the iPhoto images off the internal drive. I can see the information for the files, i.e. size, created date, lst modified date, but cannot get acess to the picutres. When I try the same procedure with my external drive I can get into the files and get access to the photos.
Is there a way to gain access to these pictures?
2. I also saw that my Applications folder had been backed up as well, but none of the Apple software, Adobe CS programs, Flash, Final Cut Pro are there. I am wondering if it is because this is an institutional college set-up machine and they installed the original software. There is a "Tech" folder that I do not have access to on the machine. I can update the college installed software and add software myself. All of the software I have added over the years seems to be there in the backup.
So is this simply not accessable except via "Tech"?

Cannot see Time Capsule for backup but internet perfect A

I've seen other posts about time capsule problems and most talk about wireless dropout and loss of internet connectivity. My situation is almost the reverse:
Full airport strength in menu bar. Full access to internet sites on at least one computer. Cannot see Time Capsule via Airport Utility or in Finder on any computer. Time Machine backups fail (marked as Delayed in menu bar item).
If I reboot (via unplugging) the Time Capsule, it shows up again in Airport Utility and backups are successful. This has happened three times now. I think the first time was prior to upgrading the firmware. The second two times were after the Time Capsule firmware upgrade. In the second two instances, it looks like the backups run for about 12-13 hours, every hour. No problems. Then, they drop out. Yesterday, it ran from 8:30 AM until 9 PM.
I've got two Macs (a Powerbook G4 and a MacBook Pro), each running latest software updates (security, 10.5.2, etc.).
Unplugging (rebooting) my Time Capsule each day is not an option. That's partly why I moved from an ancient LinkSys router that always needed to be rebooted since we lost local and internet access. Any help is much appreciated!
Cheers,
Drew

Have you set up the TC with user accounts??
Most people just use the TC password..
I have done very little with user accounts on the TC.. it seems fundamentally wrong headed to me.. If you have a domain controller with everyone using accounts to login that is fine.. and the TC would then exist in connection to the domain controller.. but it is a home device and there is no function to all that.
What will happen if you change over to standard security or even turn on the guest account I am too scared to suggest as you may not easily get connection back again.. The TC certainly displays a warning going to accounts.. I am not sure of warnings going away from accounts.
If you didn't setup the TC, do you have admin access to it??
Perhaps I am assuming too much before you tell me everything. But I may suggest things you don't want to try.. unfortunately I cannot say this will work.. the issue is widespread across the Mountain Lion TC combo and I have yet to see Apple suggest a solution or even fess up there is a problem. Daily reboots are just simply now a part of the scene for all windows and Mac users.
Is the TC the main router for the network.. 1 hour is not default lease in the TC and very few people even know how to change it.. standard is 1day. I would consider 1hr adequately short for all arp tables to be kept up to date.. the computer should be seeking new lease at 30min.. ie half lease time.
If the TC is bridged an not controlling the network.. that can contribute to the issue.
Setting a static IP on the TC if it is bridged my help.

Have the following iMac at home and am contemplating adding a MacBook Air and a 2TB Airport Time Capsule for backup/storage and increased WiFi speeds. My question is this (1) a compatible setup, and (2) will my older iMac slow down the WiFi speeds? Man

Have an older iMac and am contemplating adding a new MacBook Air and a 2TB Airport Time Capsule to increase WiFi speeds. My question is (a) is this a compatable setup and (b) will the older iMac slow the WiFi speeds?
Thanks

Be careful about mixing Time Machine backups and other data on the TC's disk. That will cause conflicts, sooner or later. See #Q3 in Using Time Machine with a Time Capsule for an explanation and some possible workarounds.

Time Capsule as External HD and backup in an existing wireless network

I have had some difficulty having the issue solved. I have also had an an appointment at the Apple Genius Bar to solve the issue but was unsuccessful.
I am trying to see if I can use the Time Capsule in an existing wireless network as an external hard drive and backup.
I am unable to use Time Capsule as a wireless networking device because our wireless network at home is already configured for Vonage (Voice Over IP) and our DSL is with Verizon. We had to have a specialist come to our home to set up that network and I hope to not interfere with it unless I know what I am doing.
Is the Time Capsule a device you can use to store and retrieve data? My Macbook's HD is nearly full and I want to clear up some space but would like to have easy access to the data. Is it possible to use it as a backup as I would simultaneously use it as an external HD?
I was told to put the Time Capsule in "bridge" mode to solve my networking issues. Could I use the Time Capsule in bridge mode wirelessly as an external HD to store and retrieve data and backup data without interfering with my wireless internet network? Is this only possible with ethernet?

@Joop
TC can handle TM and other backups at the same time.
The TC is much slower (and more expensive) than a "normal" external drive, because everything has to go via WiFi. Especially when you are going to place Libraries on it.
So I suggest that you acquire an exeternal backup disk.
Second:
if you want to place Libraries on the same disk as your backups/TM: when that disk goes down you do not have any backup for your Libraries (even when you partition the disk to separate between backup and libraries). Think about that. Imagine how you feel when you loose your photo library....
Third:
So all in all, I suggest to have two SEPARATE external disks.

Setting up Time Capsule for backup only on existing wireless network

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