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.

Similar Messages

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.

Time Capsule as external HDD and backup drive

I'm looking to buy a Time Capsule; can I use it as an external hard drive for my movies, and as a backup drive to work with Time Machine? I want to have my whole iTunes library on the Time Capsule so I can store everthing there to free up space for my Mac, and still be able to use Apple TV with those movies. In addition I want to use the rest of the space to back up the rest of my Macs files with Time Machine. Is that possible?

@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.

Can I use Time Capsule as external storage and not for Time Machine?

Can I use Time Capsule as external storage and not for Time Machine?
I want to just use it like a USB drive but wirelessly and so other people in my suite can use it wirelessly to get the files I put on there. Let me know if you need me to explain some more

Will the Time Capsule come with directions on how to set it up as external storage rather then time machine.
Yes, AirPort Utility will walk you through the setup.
Because when I watched the video on it it says that time machine is automatically recognized
You have to turn Time Machine "On" for each Mac separately. By default, it is "Off". Leave it off if you do not want to use Time Machine. If by some chance Time Machine is "On", then turn it "Off"

When I switch my time capsule to 5.0ghz mode the range of my wireless network drops significantly. Near the Time Capsule my Macbook Pro works fine, in my bedroom I have almost no signal. In mixed mode it works fine. Any ideas on how to get 5.0 working?

When I switch my time capsule to 5.0ghz mode the range of my wireless network drops significantly. Near the Time Capsule my Macbook Pro works fine, in my bedroom I have almost no signal. In mixed mode it works fine both placed. Any ideas on how to get 5.0 working? I thought 5.0Ghz was supposed to have a wider range. Do I need to change a setting on the Macbook Pro?
Thanks, W

I'm not sure if you understand that 5 GHz has some upsides, but also some very significant downsides.
The upside is that the 5 GHz signal will allow faster speeds.
The downside is that you must always give up something in order to gain something else.Unfortunately, the marketing hype about 5 GHz does not go into very many details about this.
In the case of 5 GHz, the 5 GHz signals are much weaker than 2.4 GHz signals, so they do not travel as far or penetrate any obstructions like walls or ceilings nearly as well as 2.4 GHz signals. In many cases, in order to get good 5 Ghz performance, you literally have to have almost a line-of-sight relationship between your computer and the wireless router.
If you have a new dual band router, which broadcasts both a 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz signal simutaneously, your Mac will connect to the best signal quality automatically depending on its location in relation to the router. In the same room, without any obstructions, it will connec to 5 GHz. But, take the laptop down the hall a few rooms and around the corner and the Mac will connect to the 2.4 GHz signal because at that location, the 2.4 GHz signal is not only stronger, it is also faster.

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.

Time Capsule - Can it run as DHCP router, create a wireless network and plug into switch for wired network all at the same time?

I have a closet with Wired connections from all over the house terminating in it. I also have the internet modem and a switch in this closet. My old setup was a netgear in the closet creating a wireless network and also feeding the Ethernet ports all over the house. In my room, I had an Airport express (a month old) bridging the wifi to make the wifi network larger. The Express was hard wired from the wall and my mac mini was using it's wifi (printer was plugged into other ethernet port). Everything was working great.
Fast forward to last week. My Netgear died. So, I bought a time capsule. My plan was to move the Express to the closet and have it create the wifi network and also then run cat 5 cord from express to the switch to feed all the wired wall plugs. Reset it and set it up to create the wifi network as well as DCHP NAT. Wireless was running great on it. Then I plugged in the Cat 5 in the second Ethernet Port to the switch. Wifi stopped working and none of the computers would connect using wired connections either. They would see a 'network' but nothing would work. I would unplug the Cat 5 feeding the swtich and the wireless would start working again. Plug the Cat 5 back in and wireless would stop.
So I thought I would try the Time Capsule in the closet and see if I could get it to work. Pretty much the same thing, except at this point I figured out if I went in and told it NOT to create a wifi network the wired portion worked fine and all the wired computers in the house worked fine. Of course, then I didn't have Wifi.
I'm not clueless when it comes to networking, but I can NOT figure this out! Can either the Time Capsule or Express Create the wifi network AND also feed the data to the switch for all the wired computers?
To simplify this is what I want my end result to be. I prefer the Time Capsule to be the wireless connection extender, but if I have to have the Express do it, I'm fine with that.
1. Express in the closet creating the wifi network as well as feeding the data to the wired connections via my switch.
2. have the Time capsule in my room at the opposite end of the house plugged into the hard wired connection to extend the wrieless network as well as have wired connections such as my printer and my Mac Mini.
If I can get #1 to work, I don't think I'll have any problems with #2. Help!

I have an equally complex setup with a managed switch actually but I have never seen the TC have this kind of issue.
What I do notice is you have changed the TC from defaults.. you are using a non-default IP range.
I have run across issues like this where people move things from default.
I would like you to start over.. factory reset the TC. That will set it back to default router mode.
Do the min setup on the TC..
1. Change all names from what you were using. That includes the TC name and wireless name/s
Make them short, no spaces and pure alphanumeric because that is the correct way to network. Apple default names with spaces and apostrophes are fundamentally bad.
2. With just the TC plugged into the switch.. and a single computer connected by ethernet. Power cycle the whole network.. this allows the switch to clear all the old MAC address.
3. Test on the computer just ethernet. Turn the wireless off.
The computer must use dhcp and must get an ip from the TC.
It has to get the correct Router.. ie Gateway.. I wish apple could stick with proper network terminology.
And it must get same address or valid DNS server address/es.
If it fails.. please plug ethernet directly to the TC.. bypassing the switch.
You should get the standard IP addressing and internet connection.
If not please post the screenshot from the Mac of the network preferences showing the ethernet setup.
I need to see what address it does get. I need you to make sure the ethernet is the TOP of the list. So rearrange the order of network connection. With the airport off it should just go to the top of the list.
If it appears to be working .. but a browser cannot connect, open a terminal and ping an internet address.
Ping the actual gateway address the ISP gives you and ping the ISP dns address.

HT1178 I just bought an Airport Time Capsule. I already have a AirportExtreme for my wireless network for my home. Which would be better; connect the time capsule up to the extreme or use it as the primary base station?

Is it better to connect my Time Capsule up to my existing wireless network or use the Airport Time Capsule as the base unit and start over again by creating a new network?

There is no end of answers to this..
But if you want AC wireless.. assuming you bought a new TC.. and the Extreme is the older N model.. then simply make sure the TC is as close as possible to where wireless AC client will be used.. and connect it back to the main router whichever that is, by ethernet.
If both are AC then it will make no difference.
As long as you can connect them both by ethernet and not use wireless extend.. it won't make much difference.
The worst case is where you use wireless extend and expect high speed but totally lose it because of your bridge link.. if that is the case you wasted your money and you can return the TC and buy a hard disk and plug it into the AE.

Time capsule + 1TB external HD and 2 macbookpros

How do I go about setting up Time Capsule for 2 notebooks? I have a printer attached to the USB port and have gotten a 1 TB HD and a powered USB hub. I'd like to put a 200 gb notebook on the Time Capsule and a 500 gb notebook on the 1 TB external drive. Presently, I've been running the small notebook on the TC but have just migrated the data on the HD to the 500 gb notebook. Can you suggest steps on how to go about this?

LannyRLevenson wrote:
I was running TC on the original 200 GB notebook
To avoid confusion, try to distinguish between Time Capsule (an Apple combination AirPort router and backup drive) and Time Machine (backup software).
but haven't used it with the external HD or the new 500 GB notebook. Should both notebooks be running (attached with ethernet cable) when I go to configure the TC to share the attached notebook over the network?
An initial Time Machine backup can run faster if it is run over an Ethernet cable rather than over Wi-Fi. I'm not sure what you mean by "share the attached notebook over the network". What is it about the "notebook" that you want to share and to what do you want to share it?
Where do I find "sparsebundle" file?
It should be on the network drive where Time Machine has been writing its backups. (Time Machine backups written to a locally-attached drive are named differently.)

Confused - Using Time Capsule as External HD and Using TC With Time Machine

Hello,
I've been using my Time Capsule for about a month now and I am very pleased. I have only been using it as an external hard drive as I wasn't really worried about backing EVERYTHING up. Yesterday my macbook's internal drive messed up and after reinstalling all my apps I've decided that running Time Machine would be a good idea.
So, I currently have 120 GBs of stuff on my 500 GB Time Capsule. Can I simply create a folder on the Time Capsule and set Time Machine to make backups to that folder? Also, is there a way I can limit how much space Time Machine will take up without partitioning the drive?
Thanks in advance,
Josh.

time machine will make a sparse bundle in your TC - so no need to make a folder.
"Also, is there a way I can limit how much space Time Machine will take up without partitioning the drive? "
no, you can not limit the space, and you can not partition the TC drive unless you physically take it out of the box, put it in a firewire enclosure, partition, than put it all back.
for this reason, i use superduper for my backups.

New Time Capsule: Assign DHCP address and backup to USB disk?

Hi all,
I am setting up a new Time Capsule and have two questions:
- I am successfully backing up my MacBook Pro to the internal TC disk. I like loooong backup histories, so I would like to backup my iMac to a separate Time Machine disk attached to the TC via USB. I have googled and not found anyone saying it can be done. I have attached a USB disk and tried to configure TimeMachine to see it, but it is invisible. Is this even possible?
- I want to assign a specific IP address to a Linux server (Ubuntu Jaunty) on the internal network of the Time Capsule. I can get a "random" DHCP address assigned, but I cannot get a specific one assigned. I have tried to create DHCP Reservations for the Linux box using both its MAC address as well as the DHCP client ID (preferred). No matter what, I still get the random DHCP address. On the linux box, I have made sure to set the Client ID as well as removing the old leases file. Any hints?
Thanks in advance for any help on either front!

...so I would like to backup my iMac to a separate Time Machine disk attached to the TC via USB.
That is not possible with Time Machine.
Time Machine will backup any files residing on your Mac or residing on any disk connected via USB or FireWire directly to your Mac.
Time Machine will NOT backup files residing on a network drive like the USB drive connected to a Time Capsule.
I want to assign a specific IP address to a Linux server (Ubuntu Jaunty) on the internal network of the Time Capsule.
The default settings of the Time Capsule use the addresses 10.0.1.2 to 10.0.1.200 for DHCP clients. If you want this server to have a fixed IP address, simply configure the server to have a manual IP address in the range 10.0.1.201 to 10.0.1.254.

Use Time Capsule as extern HDD and time machine?

Hi, I own a Time Cap. 1 Gb and use it for Time Machine, but I also want to use it as en extra Harddisk.. But I don' t get a harddisk icon on my desktop.. Så how do I get acess to it?
Thanks
Lasse

open Airport Utility (assuming you run a Mac not Windows)
two scenarios; select Finder preferences under General and check box "show connected servers on desktop"
1) your local network use GO function, found top file menu then select "connect to server" you'll see a blank window type afp://your router ip address should be number such as 10.0.1.1
2) using the internet because you are not near your local network, open Airport Utility write down your internet tab ip address example such as 68.43.46.123
Also using Airport Utility under Disks/File Sharing check box "enable file sharing" and "share disk over wan port." When using afp command such as first scenario use your internet ip address
Personally I have used this afp internet connection when I was in Pittsburgh, Pa over the past holidays to get a few of my files off my TC network in Detroit, Mi.

How do i set up time capsule to work with airport extreme base to extend wireless network?

i have a airport extreme base, how do i set up a time machine to extend the wireless network i have with airport extreme? i have also 3 airport express's connected to the same network to extend my wifi all over my house. thanks in advance.

Much better graphics, thanks.
You can leave the Time Capsule connected by Ethernet from the Linksys and configure for a "roaming" network as mentioned previously.
To do this, open AirPort Utility - Manual Setup
Click the Wireless tab below the icons
Wireless Mode = Create a wireless network
Wireless Network Name = Same name as the AirPort Extreme
No check mark needed next to Allow this network to be extended
Radio Mode = Same setting as the AirPort Extreme
Channel = Automatic
Wireless Security = Same setting as the AirPort Extreme
Wireless Password = Same password as the AirPort Extreme
Confirm Password
Click the Internet icon, then the Internet Connection tab
Connect Using = Ethernet
Connection Sharing = Off (Bridge Mode)
Update to save settings and allow the Time Capsue to restart
Then power down the entire network
Wait a minute or two
Start the modem first and let it run a full minute
Start the AirPort Extreme the same way
Power up the switch
Power up the Time Capsule for a minute
Keep starting devices one at a time about a minute apart
Now, your computer will automatically pick up a wireless signal from either the AirPort Extreme or Time Capsule, whichever device is closer and providing the stronger signal.

I keep getting error 10053 when trying to update airport express and connecting to the existing wireless network. Please help.

can someone assist in setting up my airport express? Im not sure what the error message means...

Hello Jacquimae,
The only thing you can buy legitimately is the computer and the basic discs that are necessary to operate it. All Apple apps over and above this cannot be legally sold on. The machine should have been completely wiped and the original OS re-installed, bringing the machine to its original factory condition. iPhoto and Garage band were part of OS 10.6.8. Snow Leopard.
You must not use the original owner's ID.

How to setup Time Capsule to use wifi and 2 ethernet ports

Hi, I hope someone can help with this issue as I've been searching for an answer without success. Basically, can a Time Capsule (1st gen) connected to a modem create a wireless network, as well as connect to an ethernet powerline adapter, as well as connect to an iMac by ethernet?
My original setup was as follows:
modem > time capsule (which creates a wireless network) > iMac
I bought an AirPort Express to use in another room. It was extending the TC wifi network, but the speeds weren't great so I've got a pair of powerline ethernet adapters. I wanted to add those into my current setup so that the Express can create a wireless network.
Anyway, before I can get to that stage, I'm having issues with the TC. I want to achieve the setup as follows:
modem > time capsule (which creates a wireless network) > powerline adapter 1 * > powerline adapter 2 > airport express
* But as well as connecting an ethernet cable to powerline adapter 1, also connect one from TC to my iMac.
When I tried connecting an ethernet cable to the TC in my original setup, the iMac lost connection to the internet. I've managed to get the following setup to work:
modem > time capsule (which creates a wireless network) > powerline adapter 1 > powerline adapter 2 > imac
But to achieve the setup I want, would require me to buy another powerline adapter (for the Express), and it seems silly to have to use a powerline adapter for my iMac when it is right next to the TC.
Any help would be appreciated.

modem > time capsule (which creates a wireless network) > powerline adapter 1 * > powerline adapter 2 > airport express
* But as well as connecting an ethernet cable to powerline adapter 1, also connect one from TC to my iMac.
When I tried connecting an ethernet cable to the TC in my original setup, the iMac lost connection to the internet. I've managed to get the following setup to work:
What you are attempting should work fine. The TC should be able to manage multiple ethernet connections as well as the wireless.
Investigate what is happening when you plug ethernet into the TC from the imac.
Please try it.. turn off wireless in the imac to ensure ethernet is the only connection.
But I would recommend you shut off the whole network at that point. Restart everything in order.. modem .. TC.. EOPs.. Express.. clients.. with 2min gap between them.
Now look at the imac and check the network preferences.. did it pick up the correct IP from the TC? It should have router (gateway) and DNS all correct using dhcp.. if not check the connectivity light on the TC.. does it come on when you plug in the ethernet cord?
Open a terminal on the mac and ping the TC address. does it respond?
Give a few screen shots of how the TC is setup.. bridge, router and what IP it is running. Even just the summary page.

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

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