Time Capsule Questions....Joining Existing Network

Firstly, the below questions are based on my assumption that the Time Capsule's firmware & hardware is similar to the Airport Express (but with the addition of the HDD!)
The router my network's running off is a Linksys WRT600N (has both 2.4Ghz & 5Ghz and 802.11b/g/n).
I'm interested in adding a Networked hard disk to the network (not through using the router's USB port) for the sole purpose of Time Machine backups.
From what I know, Time Machine doesn't work with NAS's apart from the Time Capsule (which from looking at it, would be a waste of money as I don't want to use it as a router.)
From what I've read, the Time Capsule can be connected by ethernet to the existing router (or switch), and have all it's Wi-Fi & routing functions turned off - making it only work for it's NAS HDD (that'll work with Time Machine.)
Now that seems like quite a waste of money on a £200 device that has WiFi etc built in.
Now, thinking about it, one of the locations I'd put the Time Capsule when connect as above, has bad wireless reception......
From what I've read (especially this thread), when the Time Machine is connected as above, and I disable the Time Capsule's built in router and DHCP server, it can be assigned a different SSID (my network already has 2 (one for 2.4ghz & one for 5ghz)) and it'll be broadcasting without interfering my existing network.
My wireless devices could be given the Time Capsule's SSID & encryption details, and would be able to connect to that or the Linksys (depending on where abouts in the house they were) - and as both networks are connected together, all shared HDD's and internet would work fine joining together over the three SSID's from the Linksys & Time Capsule.
The tricky bit, is there a way of having the Time Capsule repeat/boost the signal coming from the Linksys? (instead of broadcasting on a different SSID, it'd be acting as a Wireless Access Point).
From my research about repeating, I know that WDS is needed, and accoring to here[ the Linksys WRT600N supports it. (whatever it actually is!)
So, would the Time Capsule be able to repeat/boost the Linksys's signal? If so, how? (I'd keep the two router's connected together by gigabit as obviously the location of the Time Capsule would be one where the Linksys's signal struggles to reach.)
Anything wrong with the idea of broadcasting on a different SSID? And any ideas about broadcasting on the same SSID?
Blimey that's a long post! If your still reading this far and understand what I'm on about you can have a cookie
Thanks
Ed.

Westyfield, Welcome to the discussion area!
The tricky bit, is there a way of having the Time Capsule repeat/boost the signal coming from the Linksys?
Your scenario has Time Capsule connected via Ethernet to the Linksys. To extend the Linksys's wireless network, simply configure the Time Capsule to use (a) the same SSID as the Linksys, (b) the same encryption type/level/password as the Linksys, and (c) a channel as far as possible from the one used by the Linksys.
For all wireless clients there would be one big wireless network.
There is no need for WDS.

Similar Messages

Time Capsule to join existing wireless network

Hi All,
I have a question, as despite experimenting and reading all I can find on the subject I am no closer to a definite answer.
I have the old 500gb Time Capsule (802.11n non-simultanious version).
I presently have a BT HomeHub 2.0 as my wifi router downstairs, and use a Linksys WRT54GS to connect to the network SSID provided by the HomeHub. All my desktop machines, etc are then connected into the 10/100 switch in the WRT54GS, giving them access to the WiFi network.
Ideally I wanted to replace the WRT54GS with my Time Capsule, so that my desktop machines upstairs plug into the 10/100/1000 ethernet ports on the Time Capsule, which is then in-turn connected wirelessly to the BT HomeHub downstairs for Internet access. (The benefit of this being increased speed thanks to the 802.11n technology in the HomeHub and Time Capsule).
Sadly, the Time Capsule does not seem to like connecting to the HomeHub's SSID, each time giving me the flashing amber light. Normally, I would simply re-configure the network so the BT HomeHub connects to an SSID provided by the Time Capsule, but my version of the HomeHub is not capable of doing this, or using a WDS type setup.
WiFi signal strength is good where the Time Capsule is located, the network is using WPA/WPA2 mixed authentication, and other devices can connect to the SSID.
Any help on this is much appreciated,
Thanks,
Jon

Welcome to the discussions!
When the Time Capsule "joins" a wireless network, (which is the only way that it could connect to the HomeHub network unless you use ethernet) the ethernet ports on the device are not active. When you configure the TC to "join", it really takes on the function of a wireless backup device, nothing more.
The Time Capsule cannot be configured for a WDS type arrangement with your HomeHub because it is not compatible.
If you want to connect the Time Capsule to the HomeHub and have the Time Capsule create a wireless network, then you must use an ethernet cable from one of the LAN ports on your HomeHub to the WAN port on the Time Capsule and configure the TC to act as a "bridge".
If you are unable to run an ethernet cable, the next option would be to use ethernet powerline adapters to use the wiring in your home to transmit the ethernet signal.

Configure Time Capsule to Join Existing Wireless Network

Here is my configuration:
1. AT&T U-Verse internet with 2Wire modem/wireless router combination that is creating a wireless network. The router wireless settings are as follows:
Wireless Channel
6 (2437 MHz)
Wireless Power Level
400 mW
SSID Name
2WIRE924
Status
Active
SSID Broadcast
Enabled
Security
WPA-PSK (TKIP)
2. iMac
3. Time Capsule
The iMac is setup to join the existing 2Wire wireless network.
My desire is to set up the Time Capsule to join the existing 2Wire wireless network for Time Machine backups and printing from a printer connected to the the USB port on the Time Capsule.
I have looked through the various messages boards and have seen some discussion about setting the Time Capsule in this mode, but I cannot figure out the exact settings on Time Capsule to get it to stick. It will configure for a little bit, and then loses the connection.
I would appreciate any help in the specific settings to set on the Time Capsule. I have other options but it involves me having to buy more hardware. Thanks.

I tried what you suggested and it seems to be working. The one thing is that the wireless security wasn't an exact match (router is WPA-PSK (TKIP), the TC was only WPA/WPA2 Personal). But I have tried this before and after a couple of days the computer will stop seeing the TC. Don't know if that has to do with updating the IP address, or the security mismatch, or the wireless standard doesn't match (which I don't understand since I thought the TC was 802.11n).
I am not connecting it in bridge mode to the 2Wire directly because the 2Wire router is in the living room under the TV. The Time Capsule is in the den by the printer that I want to print to. If I move to the living room, I need to go buy a new Airport Express (my old one is no longer usable with my new iMac and Airport Utility 6.0 as explained to me by Apple Support).
I will give it a couple of days, I guess I will have to move it to the living room and either figure out how to get my older Airport Express working again or go buy a new one.
Thanks for the help!

How do I connect my Time Capsule to an Existing Network?

I've seen a few similar discussion threads and seem to suggest I can't do this without an Apple Router, but I just want to clarify:
I have a 3TB Time Capsule, I want to connect it to my existing Wireless Network so that I can set it up with Time Machine.
I have connected it to my current router (which is AT&T, not Apple) via an ethernet cable that's plugged in to a LAN port on the router, and the WAN port on the TC (I also tried this in a LAN port on TC but it didn't seem to make a difference).
I was able to find my TC on Airport Utlility, but when I try to select the Join Existing Network option it just keeps bringing me back to the Create New Network screen.
How do I fix this? Does it really need to be an Apple router? Am I just plugging the ethernet into the wrong port? Or should I just continue in the Create New Network screen and enter the same name and password as my existing network, or would that create a duplicate network?
Honestly I don't really care about extending the network or not, I just want to be able to wirelessly access the Time Capsule to use it with Time Machine.

unless i'm missing something, i think you got mixed up, this is easy google for walk throughs
i'm assuming this is the new 3tb tc AC or 'tower' shape, if so, its wifi will run circles around your at&t device
unplug the at&t box for a minute and plug it back in
factory reset your tc - unplug it, hold down reset and keep holding while you plug it back in - only release reset when amber light flashes in 10-20s
connect the tc to your at&t box via eth in the wan port, wait 1 minute, open airport utility look in 'other wifi devices' to setup the tc
create a new wifi network (give it a different name than your at&t one) and put the tc in bridge mode (it may do this automatically for you, but you should double check) under the 'network' tab
login to your at&t router and disable wifi on it
add new clients to the new wifi network, and point your Macs to the time machine for backups

Airport Time Capsule to join wireless network

Hi there,
I just bought a new Airport Time Capsule 2 TB because my old one suddenly died. I just can't join my existing wlan network, it won't find it in the settings. I use a Macbook pro with the latest OS, a D Link router/modem AC1750, a Windows laptop and Iphone 6. All are connected to the D link router without problem but I can't get the Time capsule to work with it. Any help and advice would be appreciated!
Thank you
Michael

It used to be possible to configure the Time Capsule to "join" an existing wireless network, but Apple took away that feature several years ago when the Lion operating system was introduced.
The only exception to this would be if the Time Capsule is extending an existing network provided by another Apple router.
You will need to connect the Time Capsule to one of the Ethernet ports on your D-Link router using a permanent wired Ethernet cable connection, as the Setup Guide illustrates.

Time capsule connect to existing network cannot connect MBP via ethernet

I have set up my time capsule via Airport utility to "connect to existing network", which is my Netcomm wireless router (which is my DHCP server). MBP connects perfectly to time capsule if wireless is on, presumably via the Netcomm. But if I plug the MBP into an ethernet port on the time capsule it is not recognized and it gets a self assigned ip 169.254.x.y.
Airport utility is very restrictive in the options and is basically useless in resolving the obvious ip conflict. Is there any trick to getting both the wireless and ethernet to work ? It should not be this difficult....
The time capsule 2T disk is useless as a backup device over wireless.

[email protected] wrote:
I have set up my time capsule via Airport utility to "connect to existing network"
Is that the exact wording of the option you chose? In AirPort Utility I see options of "Create a wireless network", "Join a wireless network", and "Extend a wireless network". (Perhaps the difference is due to language usage.) The option to "Join a Wireless Network" is only useful for sharing disks and printers. It doesn't support Ethernet ports.
if I plug the MBP into an ethernet port on the time capsule it is not recognized
With some options there's a checkbox to "Allow Ethernet Clients". If you see that, try it.

Airport Time Capsule : extension to existing network

My new Airport Time Capsule just want to create its own network, but I want it to extend my existing network. When I pick "other options" and "add to an existing network" nothing happens??

Not if you want to connect the Time Capsule using wireless. It must connect using a permanent wired Ethernet connection.
The Time Capsule would only extend/work using wireless if you had another Apple router....Not a BT router.

If I add time capsule to my existing network will I be using the time capsules dualband network?

I already have a wireless network, and I want to be able to use time capsule for backups and it's dualband network. Would I be able to just add to existing network to get both of those features or would I have to create a whole new wireless network. Just to clarify on the setup, would I plug the time capsule into my router that's connected to the modem?
Sorry I'm very new at this.
Thank you,
Ferg

The Time Capsule is a router / hard drive only. It does not have a built in modem.
If your current "router" is really a gateway (combination modem / router on the same chassis), you will need to plug the Time Capsule into one of the ethernet ports on your "router" and configure the Time Capsule to "create a wireless network".
It's very important that you configure the Time Capsule in "Bridge Mode", if you connect it to your current router.
If on the other hand, you have a separate modem now and your router is connected to the modem, you could simply replace the old router with the Time Capsule.
Post back if you need more info.

Time machine added to existing network

I am attempting to add a time capsule to an existing wireless network. Would be grateful for instructions as I do not know what to do. There is already an existing airport extreme set as router and I am a tenant and do not wish to disturb the existing set up which works very well. I just want my Time Machine to join the network.
Thx:)

Hi Matt, thank you so much for your kind offer and yes, this does help quite a bit. We are renting a luxurious and quite a large single story home here in Muscat that has been completely wired for Wifi. There is a master router that distributes the wifi signal to nearby devices and several airport extreme slaves that receive and amplify the signal at a distance to the master.
I was hoping to allow the Time Capsule to join the network and function as one of the slaves while also allowing it to perform its mission as a backup device. I removed one of the airport extremes and installed the Time Capsule in its place. The time capsule warmed up and began to blink yellow. When I opened the airport utility on the master computer it offered to take me through a process that I was afraid to try because it indicated that I would be modifying the network... hence the original query - to try to learn from this forum so that I could do this without making a mistake and screwing up what is presently a wonderful system...
Is this helpful regarding your queston?
Thanks and best regards
Chris

Time Capsule won't join existing network

Hello,
I recently bought a new Time Capsule to use with Time Machine over my existing network. The problem that I'm having is that it isn't connecting to the network. When I do it on the Mac, I select More Options > Join existing network but it just takes me right back to the "Create new network" screen. When I do it on iOS, it just says that an error has occurred. What is going on?
Thanks,
Jacob Saunders

The existing wireless network could be incompatible.
It is a super poor way to run the TC.. the following things happen.
The TC will become super slow.. all access to the TC will be via the existing wireless network.
The TC ethernet ports will be shut off.
The TC wireless will work as a simple client of the current network. So you will lose all value in buying an AC wireless router.
I strongly recommend you plug the TC into the existing router by ethernet. If that is not possible there is alternative of using a wireless bridge to the TC.. and maintaining its usefulness..

How do I add an Airport Extreme with Time Capsule to an existing non-Apple network?

How do I add an Airport Extreme with Time Capsule to an existing non-Apple network? I have an ISP provided wireless Router that has to remain as the base station. I am able to join my 1/2TB Airport Extreme and Airport Express to the network, but I can't access/use Time Machine.

One option would be to connect the Time Capsule (TC) to the ISP-provided wireless router by Ethernet. You can then configure the for a roaming network. Then, depending on what your goal is for the AirPort Express, you can either: 1) Add it to roaming network, 2) Configure the TC & the Express for an "extended" network, or 3) Configure the Express to "join" the roaming network for AirPlay.

Time capsule connect to existing wireless network

Hi I was wondering if you need to connect time capsule via ethernet to your adsl modem. Can I get the time capsule to join an existing network?
This is because I want to put the time capsule in a different place than my adsl modem.
cheers

It is far superior to use ethernet and plug directly into the adsl modem.
You can join to wireless network.. the option is not available directly in v6 airport utility but is probably part of the setup wizard. I personally just use v5 utility where it is an option.. but you do need to hold the option key to select it.
BUT when you join a wireless network.. the TC loses its ethernet.. and wireless AP modes.. it is a dumb client on the existing wireless network.. the further away it is from the modem the slower it will go.. and double hop wireless will make it extra slow. Overall it is a bad setup.

HT201945 How do I use my time capsule on an existing WIFI network?

How do I use my Time Capsule on an existing WIFI network?

Use an Ethernet cable to connect from one of the LAN <--> ports on your existing wireless router to the WAN "O" port on the Time Capsule and then use the setup "wizard" on your Mac to configure the Time Capsule.
It will suggest that you set up the Time Capsule to create a new wireless network. If you don't want or need another wireless network, you can turn off the wireless function of the Time Capsule and use it as wired hard drive only.
Leave the Ethernet cable connected at all times. If you need to locate the Time Capsule in a different area, you can put it anywhere that the Ethernet cable will reach up to about 330 feet or 100 meters.
The only exception to using an Ethernet cable would be if your existing wireless network is provided by another Apple router. Then.....you would have the option to have the Time Capsule connect using wireless and extend the network, although using a wired connection would still be the better way to go in terms of performance.

How do I get a 1st generation time capsule to join a wifi network?

OK, I've searched the groups but no luck. Here's my situation;
I'd like to configure a 1st generation time capsule to join a wifi network ideally with a printer attached to the USB. My set up is an iMac running 10.9.3, Airport Utility 6.3.2 and a 1st Generation TC with the latest firmware (7.6.4). I'm trying to connect it to an ADSL Wifi Modem/Router. I know a cabled connection would give better performance but want a wifi only connection as the printer is in a different room.
I've disabled the network functions (bridge mode) but I can only see wireless options to Create a Wireless Network, Extend a Wireless Network or Off, not to Join. If I try to extend I get the option to add an SSID, security & passwords but it doesn't seem like parameters to join -the drop-down doesn't list available networks to join & manually entering the main wifi network and password doesn't work.
Is my desired config even possible?
Dave

Something.....a Mac or PC will need to have a 5.x version of AirPort Utility installed on the computer.
Perform a factory default reset on the Time Capsule by powering it off for a few minutes. Then, hold in the reset button first and keep holding for an additional 10-12 seconds while you simultaneously plug the power back into the Time Capsule. Release the reset button after the hold period and allow a full minute for the Time Capsule to restart to a slow, blinking amber light.
Open up AirPort Utility on the computer, select the Time Capsule and click Manual Setup
Click the Base Station tab below the row of icons to type in a device name and password that you want to use for the Time Capsule, set Time Zone, etc.
Click the Wireless tab next to the Base Station tab
Hold down the option or Alt key while you click on the Wireless Mode setting box
Select the Join a wireless network setting
Select the name of the wireless network
Enter the password for the wireless network
Verify the password
Click Update to save the settings
Note....everything here assumes that the router that provides the wireless network is using WPA2 Personal security, which is the default setting for the Time Capsule.

Can i access my data on time capsule from some other network

can i access my data on time capsule from some other network that is my data at home from office over internet

There is plenty of info out there if you google..
Here is a summary I just put into another thread.
Remote access has been added back into iCloud that was in MobileMe..
Read the info on setting it up from cloud service.. BTMM.
http://www.apple.com/support/icloud/back-to-my-mac/
If you want to do it without the cloud service, you have one major issue.. the public IP for WAN..
The internal IP of the TC.. which will default to 10.0.1.1 btw.. is irrelevant. It is the IP of the WAN which you use to access the TC over the internet. And here you have a problem.. the TC does not include dyndns service. So unless you have a static IP address from your ISP, this will cause you grief.
(If it is offered by your ISP.. get a static IP.. that eliminates all the issues.. and is far superior. Even dyndns service has issues if your public IP rotates too often. It is generally an extra cost item and requires a business account but some ISP offer it cheap or even free.. I joined an ISP that offered static ip for free because it gives me the ability to remote access my network without all the hassles you will see below.)
There are ways around it.. setting up your own domain for instance.
http://dyn.com/support/airport-time-capsule-with-dynamic-dns/
But it is easier to simply use a different router.. almost all of them have dyndns service available.. place the TC behind the router in bridge and forward port 548 TCP to it.
This is a bit old but still relevant.
http://gigaom.com/apple/access-your-time-capsule-over-the-internet/
Note .. there is no ftp, http, ssh (there is actually but it isn't accessible), or any other service to allow connection other than AFP.. so you must use a Mac in remote location to access the TC.
The setup for the two methods is slightly different in the TC.. in the first instance, you need to turn on WAN access via disk sharing page in the manual setup.
In the second case you do not need this.
Remember security and put strong passwords on the disk. There are still security questions about this.
If security is important.. there is a third and better (IMO) method and that is vpn.. you will need to buy a vpn router as TC also missed out on that.. establish a vpn with the main router and that will allow you access to your network.. you will also then be able to use SMB remotely not just AFP.
Also if this office is a large company they should be running a firewall, which would block your access to home. You should check your IT admin people for what is allowed.. generally the only acceptable method is vpn otherwise you can drag viruses and trojans right into the network without the firewall catching them.

TS4611 Guys if you have these build: 12E3200 and your wifi is dropping, is not the your mid 2013 macbook air, is your router, I solve it by setting up my time capsule as a new network problem solved

Here is what I have been doing:
I got my new macbook air 11" two weeks ago, and have been haven problems with wifi connection dropping, I'm using verizon fioz at home, and their router
I also have a time capsule not set up as a network just join it to my current one.
After looking online all these days, I though, maybe is the verizon device that is updated..
I then reset the time capsule, created a new network
connected my system to the time capsule network, and there it is
DONE, everything works now.
So if you are haven the same problem,, that is the fix
hope that helps.
Oh before I did these I try everything, the wifi update from apple don't work it keeps dropping it
I try everything, so don't and delete the system as some people have done, I read somewhere.
try my fix hopes that works.
Message was edited by: rawreviewer

I have seen lots of issues on Yosemite with Wifi (and have been having issues myself), but yours seem different. It is a pretty new computer, have you tried taking it in under Applecare (if you live somewhere this is convenient)? Maybe you just got a defective wifi card. I won't defend Apple over this wifi mess, because it really is terrible, but your issue seems not the same as the ones I've read about while researching how to fix mine (unsucessfully....).

Time Capsule Questions....Joining Existing Network

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