Time Capsule and Wireless Modem/Router

I have recently just moved. In my old apartment I have my time capsule connected to my modem that was not wireless, and I was using it creating a wireless network and backing up my mac book pro.
Now that I have moved, my new cable company has supplied me with a modem and wireless router in 1. It creates its own wireless network.
The internet works fine on the network supplied by the new router. When I plug in my TC into the router (using a ethernet cable) it still backs up my mac book, however the light still flashes and still wont connect or make a new network.
I am wondering what is the best way to set up my new wireless modem/router with my time capsule:
Should I leave as is with it still backing up my macbook or is there a better way to set it up so I have my own mac network supplied by the TC, as well as the current one supplied by the company router?

You have a choice here..
The simple way to set this up is bridge the TC.. I think that is how it must be setup otherwise your Mac could not back up to it.
The fact that the wireless network of the TC is unavailable is not a major issue unless the current router is slow.
You can do a reset of the TC.. I recommend to still download and use 5.6 utility
http://support.apple.com/kb/DL1482
Still far superior to the one in Lion. You might need to do it at first with ethernet directly to the TC and set up wireless again.. use short name with no spaces no special characters. Fix and lock the 2.4ghz wireless channel.
Go to the internet tab, connection sharing and make sure the connection sharing is set to off bridge mode.
Once you do that, plug the TC back into the main router by ethernet.. reboot the whole system.. restart in order modem.. tc.. clients. It should now appear as TC wireless network.
The alternative is to turn off wireless or even bridge the modem router and use the TC in router mode. You will need to look up how to do that. That would make the current modem just like your old one which was a straight pure modem.. but you can easily run into trouble so I think it is not the best option here.

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SOLVED: Dropped connections with Time Capsule and cable modem/router

I've been dealing with random dropped connections for quite a while and I thought that it would be useful to share what I've found.
I was having a very puzzling problem where my internet connection would drop randomly on wireless devices. On my laptop, webpages would suddenly become unresponsive for a minute or two, Mail would have connection problems and complain, etc...but incredibly randomly and definitely not repeatable or in any pattern that I noticed.
I also have 2 Nest thermostats in the house which connect via wi-fi. I noticed that they would randomly show Offline very often when viewed from a webpage or iPhone app, but the Nest front panels showed that they were connected with a strong signal.
As I said, the dropped connections were very sporadic. Most of the time, everything worked, but every once in a while...bam.
I worked with the level 3 tech support guys at Nest for over a week to figure out what was going on. We went through settings on my router and Time Capsule and everything seemed proper and okay. I even replaced the Nests with new ones but still had the same problem. We were all completely stumped.
Yesterday, my laptop dropped it's connection at the same time my wife's laptop dropped hers. At this point, I wondered if something was wrong with the Time Capsule or maybe my internet provider.
I called AppleCare to see if they could help with debugging the problem. They passed me up to a senior wi-fi tech and he asked me many questions about the configuration of my network. My home network looked like this yesterday (see crappy diagram below)
                                                     Motorola Cable modem/router
                                                                             |
                                                       Netgear multiport switch
                                                      |          |         |         |          |
                                                     hardwired Macs,            TimeCapsule (bridge mode)
                                                     laser printers,                   |   |   |   |   |
                                                      Apple TVs                       laptops, Nest, iphones
This configuration seemed correct to me. The Time Capsule in bridge mode would mean that the cable modem/router would be handling DHCP so all the devices would be on the same network and I could print from a laptop to one of my printers and the laptops could connect to the hardwired Macs, etc..
The AppleCare technician said he thought that bridge mode was the problem. He mentioned that there was a known issue that in this configuration, the IP addresses could get lost between the cable modem/router and the Time Capsule. He said it would be best if the Time Capsule was in DHCP/NAT mode and the first device before the switch, this way the Time Capsule was the only device passing out IP addresses.
So I repatched my network like this:
                                                   Motorola Cable modem/router
                                                                             |
                                                   TimeCapsule (DHCP/NAT mode)
                                                            |                                       |   |   |   |   |
                                    Netgear multipart switch                      laptops, Nest, iphones
                                         |         |         |        |
                                           hardwired Macs,
                                             laser printers,
                                               Apple TVs
I can tell you that in the past 24 hours, I haven't seen anything lose a connection. Not even the Nests which seemed be on and off all the time. And, in this configuration, all the devices are on the same network and able to speak to each other.
I hope that helps someone.

So you're saying that Bridge Mode not functioning properly is a well known issue?
Not to me.. I have not had issues with the TC in bridge. And it is my prefered setup. I think it is better as a wireless AP and network hard disk than a router any day of the week.. but there are other ways to skin the cat if it is proving unreliable. I am at the moment using a wireless bridge from the Gen4 TC to a Gen4 AE upstairs for TV internet streaming.. it started off very reliable.. but of late I guess I need to reboot it every few days. And it has required a full reset two or three times.. although I probably need to take some of the blame for those. I am not over worried.. i do not believe in wireless bridges except for the most interim of arrangements.. it will be wired in ethernet ASAP.
Wireless should always be used in a way that respects its status as voodoo.. not stable technology. NOT SCIENCE.. it is more a bag of beads and rattles.
Is there a way to change the cable modem/router to avoid the double NAT problem?
The answer to this may depend on your ISP. Did they provide the modem? If so they may lock it down so you have no control. But normally a Motorola cable modem will not have a bridge mode as such but will have a method of turning off NAT.. (and wireless).. this amounts to the same thing.
Once you turn off NAT.. you need to power cycle the modem so the TC gets the public IP in router mode. The power cycle time might be 5min or 20min or overnight.. it again depends on your ISP.. but you need to stop the modem capturing the public IP so it can be passed to the modem.
Depending on where you are in the world.. US is most concentration of cable network.. you can go out and buy your own modem. Pick one on your ISP list and steer clear of SB.. at least with the apple routers they are problematic.
It also can be a case that the cable modem is SB model and therefore more problematic. Sorry I have forgotten the recommendation for what to buy. There are a number of posts here about it but search is terrible now. (or I am too old to figure it out). I will get Bob to poke his nose in and tell you what works for him.

Connecting time capsule to wireless modem router via ethernet cable

Hi
I use my TC to store all my data and itunes music/media. I've noticed that when purchasing music, the download speeds are quite slow, even though when I test the broadband speed, it's at a reletively ok 5 mbps. If I hard wire the tc to the modem router, will the downloads be faster? If so, how do I connect them up with ethernet cable. I've done so, and nothing seems to appearing on my desktop.
cheers
Mark.

Reset the TC to factory settings. This will allow you to reconfigure the TC to use Ethernet.

Set up Time Capsule w/ belkin modem/router AND DSL splitter

G'day,
I've got an existing network set up and would like to add the Time Capsule into the network. I'd like to use my current hardware if possible but am willing to purchase stuff if I need to.
There are some posts on my model of Belkin modem/router, but it didn't really help me.
Here are my machines:
1) PC - desktop (ethernet networking card, Windows 7,
2) Laptop (wireless networking, Windows 7)
3) Macbook Air (wireless networking)
4) iPhone (wireless networking)
Here are my hardware:
A) Wall socket
B) DSL splitter (3 x ports - port for line, port for phone, port for modem)
C) Cordless phone
D) Belkin modem/router (model number F5D7633-4A - 1 x ADSL port, 4 x Ethernet cable ports)
E) Time Capsule
Here is my current set up:
Wall socket > phone cable > Splitter > phone cable to phone, phone cable to modem/router > ethernet cable from modem/router to PC
This solution gives me internet access via the ethernet cable to the PC and via the Belkin modem/router wirelessly to the Laptop. However, I haven't been able to connect my Macbook Air to this network yet - it doesn't seem to work.
So my question is, how can I include my Time Capsule into the network. Will I need another modem? I read about a bridge but I have no idea what that is or where to find that setting.
Also, can someone explain how to get my Macbook Air to connect to the network?
Can someone talk me through exactly what extra hardware I need and what I need to do to set it all up?
Cheers,
Chris

Hi Bob,
Thanks for chiming in. Could you talk me through how to do that? I'm a numpty and just haven't figured out which ports to plug which cords into, etc. If you or someone else could dumb it really right down that would be sweet.
Also, the Belkin is a modem/router, not a router. I am under the assumption that I need a modem to access the internet and that the Time Capsule is just a router.
Is that right?
Chris

Airport Express + Time Capsule and wireless access to internet

I have a wireless internet provider. It's an open access without encryption.
I would like to have the airport express connect wirelessly to the internet then connect the airport express by ethernet wire to the WAN port in the time capsule and then have a local encrypted network from the time capsule in order to access with my mac book wirelessly to the time capsule.
I tried all ways of configuring it but none worked.
Do you know if it is possible and what should I configure ?
If somebody can help me... I am getting crazy with that...

This will not work. The Ethernet port on the AirPort Express (AX) is active only when the AX uses WDS to wirelessly join a network. Unfortunately this requires you to be using a compatible base station to create the wireless network AND you must configure the base station and AX to connect using WDS.

HT2421 time capsule as a modem/router

Hi guys,
I am confused just how to set up my time capsule. Can it be used in place of the modem or is it just a wireless hub. I would like to get rid of the wireless router if it's do-able to keep the new setup as simple as possible.

The TC is a wireless router.. it has no modem..
So if you can bridge your current modem router, then you can use the TC in role of the router.
Otherwise just bridge the TC and it will be fine as WAP and switch.

Problem with Time Capsule and Wireless Printing (Mac+PC Mixed)

I have a time capsule that is the wireless router for the house and my iMac and laptops use the wireless network beautifully. I installed a Dell 1320C color laser printer by connecting it to the usb port on the time capsule. The airport express utility did NOT recognize any USB printer connected to the time capsule. I was however able to wireless print from my iMac by asking the printer utility to find all available printers which it did and then installing the printer drivers (thanks google). So, while i cannot find my printer as being connected to the time capsule through the airport utility, i can find it through the print utility as a connection through bonjour and i can print just fine to it.
Now i installed bonjour on my laptops and found and selected the 1320c just fine. When i try to print through the laptops (pc), nothing happens and the file stays in the print queue.
I am willing to live with the first quirk as I can print wirelessly from the iMac. I however need help to print from the laptops.
Any suggestions?
thank you so much in advance
Mukund

Mukund SRINIVASAN wrote:
Once I connect the printer via ethernet to the time capsule, how do I
1) see the printer on my iMAC - what utility do I run etc?
It is connected to your network. Check your printer setup manual on how to set it up. Or go the the Dell website for printer support if you can't find your manual.
2) can i then run bonjour from my windows laptops and see the printer through the network?
Via ethernet, it shouldn't need Bonjour to set up.

Airport time capsule with another Modem/router

I'm considering buying an Airport time capsule. However I have already a modem/ router in place for fiberoptics (Dutch: KPN ExperiaBox), this is also for phone and TV, so changing anything in this setup is no option.
My question is if the TC will work when it is connected via an ethernet cable that is coming from the ExperiaBox.
(Fyi I'm looking for a standard functionality, not for an extensive customizing)
Thanks in advance
Regards,
Twan

You simply bridge the TC and it will work just fine.

Time capsule and adding additional router in my house

My time capsule router unfortunatly does not supply my entire house with a good signal. If I place it by my main IMac my kids stuff on the other side of the house and basement gets a poor signal. If I move the router to the other side of the house then the kids stuff works and my computers do not. If I purchase an Airport express and run a hard line from my Time Capsule to it on the other side of the house will this pretty much take care of the issues and will I have any issues with the airport express and TC on the same network? I have tried other signal boosters but didnt really have any success with them. Any other suggestions?
Thank you

Yes, an Express and the TC with ethernet is fine.. But any wireless router should run in this configuration .. you are not setting it up as WAP only but as router .. use wan bypass.. sorry instructions are on another site but are pretty clear.
http://forums.whirlpool.net.au/forum-replies.cfm?t=933517

Will signal strength or internet speed suffer when using a Generation 1 Time Capsule and wireless extending a network with a Generation 5 Airport Extreme

I have a wireless network in my home and I have a Time Capsule 1st generation and a Airport Extreme 5th Generation, will this cause my internet to be slow or have glitches with signal strength?

We've gone over this in the other thread.
If the Time Capsule will be connecting using wireless only, everything depends on the quality of the connection between the AirPort Extreme and Time Capsule.
The quality of the connection will be affected by the distance that the Time Capsule is located from the AirPort Extreme and any obstructions in the signal path.
If you have a ceiling between the AirPort Extreme and Time Capsule, then you should expect the signal arriving at the Time Capsule to have lost 30-40% of its bandwidth (speed). So, the Time Capsule can only repeat the weaker signal that it receives.
Other walls or other obstructions like heavy furniture, large mirrors, etc will also affect the wireless signal as well as cordless phones and other wireless networks around you.
If you are lucky enough to have line-of-sight between the AirPort Extreme and Time Capsule, then the wireless connection between those devices can work quite well. Few of us have this luxury, and must settle for significant compromises in performance.
If the wireless connection between the AirPort Extreme and Time Capsule does the job for you reliably, then you can leave things as is. If you are not getting the reliable performance that you need, then you will need to establish a wired Ethernet connection between the AirPort Extreme and Time Capsule.
As you might imagine, there is virtually no signal loss in a wire, even up to 300+ feet or 100 meters.

Time Capsule and Wireless Networking

I have three Macs and would want to share same iPhotos, Aperture and iTunes libraries on all Macs (2 MBPs, iMac). Can someone please help me what are the options?
Would Time Capsule work for this purpose?
I don't want to use same libraries on all three Macs at the same time but if uploaded some photos on MobileMe from iPhoto on one Mac then the other Mac when accessing iPhoto, should also have the same updated libraries/info.

I don't know about the photos, but it certainly is possible with itunes, I myself have that arrangement sharing between three computers.
Now, it requires a few steps.
Find your iTunes library on the computer copy the entire library AS IT IS! (that means: Album Artwork, the .xml files and the .itdb files including your "username library", for instance Freedom90), copy that to where you want it on the external drive/time capsule, set it up like this:
[externaldrive]iTunes/Freedom90/Library
"Library" contains the music, iTunes contains the settings and the database that tells iTunes what files are where and so on.
Second is to reset iTunes and point it to the new music location
You can either hold control down while opening iTunes or going to:
Preferences - Advanced and press reset then "change"
Point iTunes to the new location.
Repeat this step with the other computers.
On thing you should know: iTunes doesn't have any clue on how to monitor these directories, so each time you add music from one location you have to manually add them from the other locations.

Time Capsule and Wireless Printing

Installed TC a few days ago without incident. Everything including the printer (lexmark 5300) worked as expected. The internet went down for a few minutes yesterday and I had to reboot the modem and the TC. Now the printer is no longer available to the network. I have rebooted the printer a few times without any luck. Apple TV, iPads, Iphones and Mac Books all work fine as does one PC. Ideas? Help?

It helps a lot to tell us how the printer connects.. I am guessing USB.
Open the airport utility.. the 5.6 version since you are on lion and make sure the TC is actually finding the printer. Unplug USB.. and plug it back in again.. if the TC fails to detect it, you need to use a powered hub, even though it previously worked Apple set very low current consumption for USB (maybe the power supply cannot actually handle proper USB 500ma)
If the TC has detected the printer, you might have to delete the printer in the computer and rediscover it again. Network printers via USB router can be less than 100% reliable. You would actually do better plugging it into a computer and sharing that device from there with the network.

Problem with Time Capsule and wireless devices

Hi, I have a 1TB Time Capsuele 4th Gen. and it has been working since I got it, with only a few problems that were quickly resolved. However, it recently stopped allowing internet access to wireless devices. My home computer is connected on airport and actually does have internet access. However, my iPhone and MacBook, although they are recognizing the network and trying to connect, are being denied internet access. I have restarted everything multiple time, changed wireless details (network name and password) and nothing has worked. Anyone know how to fix this?

Start with a full factory reset and redo the setup again.. the full factory is important.
Universal Factory Reset.. any model TC or AE.
Unplug your TC/AE from power or turn off at the power point.
Hold in reset. and power the TC/AE back on.. all without releasing reset and keep holding in for about 10sec. (this is often difficult without a 2nd person or a 3rd arm).
Release it when the status light flashes rapidly. If it doesn’t flash rapidly you have missed it and try again.
Note..
Be Gentle! Feel the switch click on. It has a positive feel.. add no more pressure after that.
TC/AE will reboot after a couple of minutes with default factory settings and will wipe out previous configurations of the router.
No files are deleted on the hard disk in a TC.. No reset of the TC deletes files.. to do that you use erase from the airport utility.
No luck then it is faulty.. but it is gen3 or earlier.. all Gen4 TC were available with 2 or 3TB drives.. there is no 1TB Gen4. That makes it Gen3 and over 3 years old.

How can I set up a guest access point with a Time Capsule and an Airport Extreme? I am using a Telus router with the Time Capsule used as a wireless access point (bridge mode). I don't want the guest access point to have access to my network.

How can I set up a guest access point with a Time Capsule and an Airport Extreme? I am using a Telus router with the Time Capsule used as a wireless access point (bridge mode). I don't want the guest access point to have access to my network.

The Guest Network function of the Time Capsule and AirPort Extreme cannot be enabled when the device is in Bridge Mode. Unfortunately, with another router...the Telus...upstream on your network, Bridge Mode is indicated as the correct setting for all other routers on the network.
If you can replace the Telus gateway with a simple modem (that performs no routing functions), you should be able to configure either the Time Capsule or the AirPort Extreme....whichever is connected to the modem....to provide a Guest Network.

Time Capsule with existing Roadrunner wireless modem/router?

My ISP is Roadrunner extreme, and the modem is also a router with built-in n wireless. I don't have admin access to the router so cannot disable the wireless. I would like to get a Time Capsule for wirelessly backing up mine and my wife's Macbooks (plugging drives into laptops is a pain).
I'm concerned by the apparent assumption that a Time Capsule will also serve as your router, though. As I said, we already have wireless and are pretty much stuck with that. Can the Time Capsule wireless router function be disabled, or ignored, and have it still function for wireless backups?
Thanks in advance.

...and this discussion seems to indicate I could also skip the ethernet and just have the TC join my existing wireless network.
That's an option. There's an upside and downside to every type of configuration. The upside is that you can have the Time Capsule physically removed from the same area where the router resides. The downsides are that the configuration can be difficult and frustrating unless you know exactly what type of security the Roadrunner wireless is using.
In other words, you have to "tell" the Time Capsule exactly how to join the wireless network provided by the Roadrunner router. If the settings are not exactly correct, you'll get nothing but repeated error messages. You have to start all over to try the configuration again each time there is an error. Since you said that you don't have "admin" privileges for the Roadrunner device, you may not be able to access the device to "see" the exact settings that you need.
The ethernet ports are not enabled on the Time Capsule when it is configured to "join" a wireless network, so you will not have an option to backup using ethernet if want to do so. Ethernet can be 4-5 times faster that wireless and comes in really handy for the first backup when Time Machine makes a complete copy of your computer.
Followup question as this will drive what TC I buy: I already have a WD 2TB USB drive I've been using for backups. Can I get away with buying a smaller/cheaper TC and plugging in the extra drive? Are there reasons that's not as good as just getting the 2TB TC?
You can connect the WD drive to the USB port on the Time Capsule. The drives must be formatted in Mac OS Extended (Journaled) if you plan to use Time Machine to backup. The main problem with changing locations of drives (I'm assuming that that you had the WD attached directly to a computer) is that Time Machine will want to make a new complete backup of the computer if you connect the drive to the USB port on the Time Capsule.
In other words, Time Machines treats backups to an "external drive" connected directly to a computer differently than it does backups to a "network drive" connected to the USB port on the Time Capsule. You won't be able to "continue" backups where you left off. Time Machine will start all over again.

Time Capsule and Wireless Modem/Router

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