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.

Similar Messages

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!

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.

Hi I am hoping to add my 2 TB time capsule to my existing wireless network using cisco dpq 3925 modem. I have two mbp one running Yosemite and the other os 10.7.5

I have a time capsule 2TB model 1409. I would like to connect it to my existing wireless network (using a cisco DPQ 3925 modem). I have two mac book pro one running Yosemite and the other OS 10.7.5. The best I can do is to connect the TC to the Modem via ethernet. Have one of my MBP connect to the time capsule using a ethernet cable and have the TB set to bridge mode. In this configuration, both mbp and the iPad can detect the TC but when I try to connect it to the wireless network, using the same network name and password, the light flashes amber and I cannot detect the time capsule again.

Correct..
The best I can do is to connect the TC to the Modem via ethernet.
The TC does not connect to non-apple routers by wireless.. well. It is possible but so poor a method that Apple seem to have eliminated it in the setup wizard.. I would take that as a good thing..
If you cannot use ethernet you have two choices..
Use another apple router that is plugged into the Cable modem.. eg a second hand Extreme Gen5 or the latest Express.. the Extreme is both cheaper and better.
Or you can use a set of EOP (homeplug) adapters.. but they cannot be guaranteed to work so you should buy from a place that allows returns.

Installing Time capsule with U-Verse Wireless Network

Hi all,
I am not a techy, but I get by. I am going to install the Time Capsule and I realized that I don't think this will work with my existing U-Verse Fiber wireless network. After some thought, I believe I should just use this for wireless backup and peripheral operations rather than the internet as my current wifi also operates the televisions in the house.
I'm hoping to get some guidance from the community as to how to use this device without having to purchase more equipment or re-wiring my entire home. Can I just plug it in and use it for wireless backup or will it interfere with my internet service (which I am happy with)?
Any thoughts?

Welcome to the discussions!
You are correct to allow your existing setup handle internet connections.
The simplest setup would be to configure your Time Capsule to "Join" the wireless network created by the U-Verse router. Your computers will be able to backup via wireless assuming that you have a good connection.
If your U-Verse router provides ethernet ports for devices (it likely does), you would also have the option of connecting the Time Capsule to the U-Verse router with an ethernet cable. This would make sense if the Time Capsule will be located near the U-Verse router as ethernet is both faster and more reliable than wireless.
Not to get too technical here, but if you connect the TC this way, you will set Connection Sharing on the TC for "Off (Bridge Mode)".
If you connect the Time Capsule via ethernet, you would also have the option to setup the Time Capsule to "create" its own wireless network. So, you would have two wireless networks available...one created by the U-Verse router and the other created by the Time Capsule.
If you have computers capable of wireless connections at "n" speeds, they could connect to the Time Capsule and your other "g" devices would connect to the U-Verse. In fact, if you purchase a new dual band TC, it will be capable of creating two wireless networks on its own.
So, you have a number of options available. Just depends on how simple or complex you want things to be.

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.

I have a mid-2010 iMac and just purchased a 2TB TC, can't join existing wireless network with AC standard so attached to iMac via ethernet with TC wifi turned off. How do i access TC now? not showing up in disk utility or on desktop. working fine with TM

I have a mid-2010 iMac and just purchased a 2TB TC, I just found out that it can't join existing wireless network with new AC standard so attached to iMac via ethernet with TC's wifi turned off. How do i access TC now? not showing up in disk utility or on desktop. It is working fine with TM. My cheeper seagate drives etc kept crashing, so i didnt trust cheeper back up options anymore. Connected those drives to TM via firewire and could see the drives and access them.
Also, I didn't want to bridge TC with my new fios router that I paid 100 dollars for, to get N speed and also paying 10 dollars more a month for fast speed. I heard that bridging slows down everything and then there can be port issues with mail etc. I connect to the internet via airport only and it is pretty fast. Getting over 50mbs downloads and over 30mbs uploads. Plus everything in my home it connected to my fios router, airport express for music streaming, two apple tvs, vuezone camer system. I really didn't want to monkey around too much with my system. But are there other options to connect the new TC. Can't find info anywhere for this and called apple who gave me the info above. after hanging up, i see that i cant access my TC and I am wondering if i would have to reset it to turn wifi on again to make changes to the drive, turn off blinking light or repair it in disk utility if it should become corrupted.
For other with similar issues i did solve some other problems: when i connected it to my ethernet port on my iMac wifi stopped working. Found that I had to turn off the ethernet in the system>network screen, but then TM didn't see the TC so i restarted after changes and then it saw it.
Now a rant. I can't believe in this wireless age that Apple would make a product that cant join a wireless net work. The apple rep said i could return it and look for the previous TC that would join an existing wireless network. Are we going backwards?
Thanks!
lennydas

Ok... it is getting a bit clearer but there are still some questions.
I connect to the internet via airport only and it is pretty fast.
I was assuming airport in this statement in your first post meant the TC or the Express.. but I now realise we are still in the mass confusion stage where apple calls everything wireless an airport. So what you mean is the airport internal card of the computer??
Also, I didn't want to bridge TC with my new fios router that I paid 100 dollars for, to get N speed and also paying 10 dollars more a month for fast speed. I heard that bridging slows down everything and then there can be port issues with mail etc.
I think this is mistaken.
Putting the TC in bridge mode plugged into your FIOS will not slow the network.. nor will it cause mail or port issues.. in bridge the TC is just a fancy WAP and switch plus the network hard drive.
If the computer is close it will be faster than the FIOS.
You can run both wireless networks with different names.. so it is clear which is which. But you can also setup roaming so the computers themselves pick which is the best wireless.
I tried extending the wireless net work and tried joining wireless network, but the TC kept crashing and I had to keep resetting the TC. the Apple support person said these, extend wireless network and joint wireless network, are no longer a connection option with the new TC because of the new AC protocol.
Thanks again!
You cannot extend to a non-apple wireless router.
You cannot use join a wireless network because when you do the ethernet ports will be cut off.
But that has not changed.. I don't think Apple support is correct.. there has been no change with the AC model.. it is simply a fact that apple routers do not work in join wireless mode other than as a dumb client. The same applies to AC as to the earlier version.. but I have asked another person to check this.
Join in the express is the only apple router that still allows an ethernet connection.
For now you best use of the TC is bridged to the FIOS. Wireless you can sort out between several options.

Can Time Capsule Join Existing Wireless Network?

I currently work in a building with a wireless network. In my own office, I use AX to join that wireless network and I connect a local printer to the USB port.
From some posts, I've gotten the idea that the Time Capsule will not join an existing wireless network.
Is that the case?

That is correct - Time Capsule cannot be configured to function as a wireless client on an existing wireless network. The only Apple Airport product currently able to do that is the Airport Express device.
It can be configured as a remote base station in a wireless distribution system (WDS), but this would require the wireless network's main base station to be another Time Capsule or any model of Airport Extreme base station.

HT1178 trying to make time capsule connect to a wireless network. How?

Hi! New mba, new time capsule. Trying to connect tc to existing wireless network. Can't find 'manual setup' or 'join wireless network', only 'extend wireless network', which results in the tc disappearing from my list of networks altogether. Help!

A TC is really not designed to join a wireless network and it is a really poor way to run it. It has always been a hidden option.. and now it is even harder to find.
For manual setup it is much easier to simply install 5.6 utility and then you can find and use TC any way you want. But please note the speed will be extraordinarily slow.. all packets will have to travel via the main router that supplies wifi.. to the TC.. you will lose all direct connection.
How to load 5.6 into ML.
1. Download 5.6 for Lion.
http://support.apple.com/kb/DL1482
Click to open the dmg but do not attempt to install the pkg.. it won't work anyway.
2. Download and install unpkg.
http://www.timdoug.com/unpkg/
Run unpkg on the desktop.. it is very simple.. drag the AirPortUtility56.pkg file over to unpkg.. and it will create a new directory of the same name on the desktop.. drill down.. applications utilities .. there lo and behold is Airport utility 5.6 .. drag it to your main utilities directory or just run it from current location.
You cannot uninstall 6.1 (now 6.2 if you updated) so don't try.. and you cannot or should not run them both at the same time.. so just ignore the toyland version.. the plastic hammer.. and start using 5.6.. a real tool.
For screen shots see this post.
https://discussions.apple.com/thread/4668746?tstart=0

Using Time Capsule to extend a wireless network

I have an office in the top of my house (2nd floor roof conversion) and as a result the wireless signal from the ground floor is very weak. i would like to boost the signal using my Time Capsule, placing it on the 1st floor, shortening the distance the signal has to travel.
Is this possible? In the AirPort settings I can seen an option to 'extend a wireless network using an ethernet cable' but if that is the only option I may as well just move my wireless home hub to the 1st floor.
Can the network be extended wirelessly?
many thanks!

Thanks for the clarification.
Unfortunately, the "extend a wireless network" feature of the AirPort Express is only compatible with an Apple base station.
Therefore, you will not be able to use the TC to extend the wireless network that has been created by the BT Home Hub. You might check to see if BT offers an "extension device" or "remote" that would allow you to expand your wireless signal.
The TC will need to be configured to "Join" the wireless network that you have there.

When I change the setting on my third generation time capsule to "extend a wireless network", the update fails. Why?

I purchased a new router. Everything is working great except for a third-generation time capsule which will not accept a change from join a wireless network to extend a wireless network as it did before. Does anyone know how to fix that?

You cannot extend a non-apple router..
So what new router did you buy?? If it don't have an Apple Symbol on it.. it aint gonna work.

Time Capsule not connecting to wireless network

Just bought shiny new iMac with shiny new Time Capsule (500G) and i'm ready to launch the whole lot out the window!!!
Despite my very best efforts i'm unable to connect my TC to my wireless network. Every time I use Airport Utility the TC recognises the wireless network, proceeds to change the settings normally, the TC then restarts and the bloody amber light flashes and the iMac cannot find the TC. I then have to reset the TC so the iMac can find it and the whole process starts all over again. I apologise if this topic has come up before but i'm at my wits end!!

Well, things in Paris, France a wee bit brighter but not much.
I managed initially to use TC via Ethernet connection (for my initial Mac system safeguard) as TC did not recognise or was not recognised by my Airport WiFi home network.
Now, after various attempts and properly configuring TC to "join" my existing network all lights are green and config seems "A" OK.
On the hour, wirelessly, TC starts doing its bit showing: under the Time Machine box's "Backing up" sub title: "Preparing" with a running blue/white bar..
A couple of hours later TC system stops advising me there was a "wireless connection interruption".
This has been going on for a few days now and, as far as I know, never has my Orange's LiveBox WiFi, ADSL, Router Modem suffered any interruption of service.
What to do or change??
Message was edited by: eellas

Can I use a Time Capsule to extend my wireless network.

Hi, I have just bought a 3TB time capsule as my old (flat style) 500GB TC is reaching full capacity. The old style TC will then be surplus to requirements as a data storage unit, at least for myself, though it might be useful for my son to use as his Time Capsule.
Ideally, as we have a wireless 'blind spot' out in the rear extension of the house, it would be useful to use the unit to extend my wireless network (and also use it as a separate TC if possible). Is this possible? If it is how would I go about it?
Hope someone can help . . . .
Cheers
John

Is it possible for you to consider connecting the Time Capsules together using a wired Ethernet connection?
Here is what Apple has to say in their support document about extending:
Adding Wi-Fi base stations when it is unnecessary can reduce Wi-Fi throughput because the Wi-Fi network will require more data management overhead. The network configuration also becomes more complex. In the case of a wirelessly extended network, throughput may be reduced to less than 60 percent of that of a single device. The general rule is to keep the Wi-Fi network as simple as possible. You can accomplish this by using the minimum number of Wi-Fi base stations required to service the physical network area and by using Ethernet wherever possible.
Extending the range of your Wi-Fi network by connecting Wi-Fi base stations together using Ethernet is always the best option, and will provide the best throughput.
Wi-Fi base stations: Extending the range of your wireless network by adding additional Wi-Fi base stations

TC can't join existing wireless network

Hi,
yesterday I played around with my TC and tried to extend my existing wirelss network. Therefore I changed the settings from "Connect to wireless network" to "Extend a wireless network". After I found out that this feature only works on only n-enabled networks I wanted to set everything back to "Connect to wireless network". But this option disappeared! And I can't get it back on my network.
What did I wrong? Can I reset everything (keep my Backups) and connect it again? Of course, I didn't save my configuration at first hand! The software version is 7.3.2
Any ideas?
Thanks in advance!

Okay, some days later I found out that the feature I was looking for is not provided in the "expert mode" where you can tweak the settings on your own. Nope, "Connect TC with an existing network" is only provided in the assisted setup.
A little bit astonishing not to list all possibilities in the expert mode but that's life...

Time Capsule to join existing wireless network

Similar Messages

Maybe you are looking for