Time Capsule: wireless or ethernet?

I've got a Time Capsule on my desk, backing up from my MBP wirelessly. It occurred to me that although I like having one less wire, I could connect the two with an ethernet cable.
My question is: will there be an appreciable difference in speed? My MBP does slow not noticeably sometimes during Time Machine backups, so if an ethernet cable sped that up a lot, it might be worth it. Any advice?

There is nothing slower than wireless.
Ethernet would be a great improvement.

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Advice to extend range from Time Capsule - wireless and ethernet with Airport Express and Airport Extreme

Current wireless network is Time Capsule (connected to a Cisco router, 1GB switch to servers and printer 1) to Airport Express (wireless) and to Airport Extreme (wireless). Distance means poor signal at the Extreme which has 2 printers (ethernet cables) and an iMac (wireless)
Solution is to connect the Extreme to the Time Capsule via Cat 6 ethernet cable
How do I configure the TC and the Extreme?
I will keep the Express for a wireless extension to the TC

Wired Ethernet from the TC to the AirPort Extreme will result in much better performance. It sounds as if you are not configuring the AirPort Extreme correctly.
Please try the following steps carefully:
Unplug the Ethernet cable from the AirPort Exteme if it is not already unplugged. With the AirPort Extreme powered on, hold in the reset button on the Extreme for 10 seconds and release. Allow a full minute for the Extreme to restart
Connect the Ethernet cable to the WAN "O" port on the Extreme.
Click the AirPort icon at the top of the Mac's screen and wait a few seconds for a listing of New AirPort Base Station to appear. Just below that, click on AirPort Extreme.
The example below displays an AirPort Express. You will see AirPort Extreme.
AirPort Setup will open up automatically and take a minute to analyze the network, then announce that the Extreme will be configured to extend the Time Capsule network.
Enter a device name that you want to use for the Exterme and click Next
Wait a minute while AirPort Setup configures everything for you. When you see the message of Setup Complete, click Done.
That's it. Pretty simple. Things should be working fine now.

Time Capsule - wireless vs ethernet connection?

Here's my problem-
I purchased a 500 GB Time Capsule in Sept 08 (still in warranty) with intention of backing up my computers wirelessly.
I set it up to back up my iMac 20" and my new MacBook Pro. The iMac was originally hooked up by ethernet, so it worked flawlessly.
The MacBook Pro was set up to work via the wireless network that I created (which works perfectly for the internet , printing, etc) but would never back up the MacBook Pro wirelessly. I hooked up the MB Pro via ethernet and it backed up.
I have been trying to resolve this MB Pro problem for months.
I then decided to try and trouble shoot which device might be having a problem (MB Pro or Time Capsule), I did all the stuff recommended on the Time Capsule (erase the original backup, reset, etc). On the MB Pro I deleted the plist, reselected the Time Capsule for backups. Nothing helped.
I then disconnected the ethernet from the iMac, but left on the wireless functionality - and then it couldn't back up either. It would never get beyond the "preparing" stage in the Time Machine System Prefs window.
I restarted the iMac, reconnected the ethernet - and the backup process worked just fine.
I am working with Apple to work thru the problem, and I mentioned that I was going to the discussion forum to see if anyone else found this problem - and more importantly - has anyone found a solution???
Thanks for any help.

yes I experienced the issue (wireless) even though TM shows say a TC as a possible backup it would fail when selected. My work around is to use afp to mount the drive then use TM.

Time Capsule Base via ethernet to an Airport Extreme to extend Wireless

I have set up a new Time Capsule dual band (TCBStn) as a base station (connected to the internet). I want to connect a new Airport Extreme dual band in a family room far away from the base via Ethernet. This family room has an Apple TV to which I want to stream video. I am not able to connect the AE via the Airport Utility as the Airport Utility does nor recognize the AE.

My recommendation is to configure your two base station as a "roaming" network. This will allow wired/wireless clients to connect to either and still be able to "see" each other for sharing.
Please start by powering-down all of your network components as follows:
o Power-down the modem, Time Capsule (TC), AirPort Extreme Base Station (AEBS), Apple TV (ATV), and the iMac. Note: The power-down order is not critical.
o With all of these components powered down, disconnect both the TC & AEBSn from the network, and then, perform a "factory default" reset on both to get them back to their "out-of-the-box" configuration.
o After both have been reset, remove them from power, and then, reconnect them as follows: modem > \[WAN port] > TC > \[LAN port] > \[WAN port] AEBSn, where ">" represents an Ethernet connection.
o Power-on the modem; wait at least 10-15 minutes.
o Power-on the TC; wait at least 5-10 minutes.
o Power-on the AEBSn; wait at least 5-10 minutes.
o Power-on the iMac.
o For now, leave the ATV powered-off.
In this configuration, both routers will be transmitting their own wireless network, each having a Network Name of something like: Apple Network NNNNNN, where the Ns represent the last six digits of their respective AirPort IDs.
Now, from the iMac, use the AirPort Utility (in Manual Setup) to access the TC to make the following configuration changes:
o Time Capsule > Base Station > Time Capsule Name = TC
o Time Capsule > Wireless > Wireless Mode = Create a wireless network
o Time Capsule > Wireless > Wireless Network Name = <enter the desired Network Name>
o Time Capsule > Wireless > Radio Channel Selection = Automatic
o Internet > Internet Connection > Connect Sharing = Share a public IP address
o Leave all the other default settings (for now).
o Click on Update to write the new configuration to the TC.
While still in the AirPort Utility, select the AEBSn, and then, make the following changes:
o AirPort > Base Station > AirPort Extreme Name = AEBSn
o AirPort > Wireless > Wireless Mode = Create a wireless network
o AirPort > Wireless > Wireless Network Name = <use the same Network Name that you created for the TC>
o AirPort > Wireless > Radio Channel Selection = Automatic
o Internet > Internet Connection > Connect Sharing = Off (Bridge Mode)
o Leave all the other default settings (for now).
o Click on Update to write the new configuration to the AEBSn.
You should now have a basic roaming network. Verify that your iMac can access the Internet while connected to either base station by wire or wireless. Please post back your results.

I have a Airport network at home with a Time capsule connected via ethernet cable to modem. Also the network is extended wirelessley with an Airport Extreme. My question is I now wish to add a second Airport extreme but am considering a hard wire connecti

I have a Airport network at home with a Time capsule connected via ethernet cable to modem. Also the network is extended wirelessley with an Airport Extreme. I now wish to add a second Airport extreme but am considering a hard wire connection with 100 ft of cat 6 cable from the Time capsule to the second Airport extreme. Can my network operate properly to extend the network with both a wireless and wired extend functionallity?

I now wish to add a second Airport extreme but am considering a hard wire connection with 100 ft of cat 6 cable from the Time capsule to the second Airport extreme.
Excellent plan.
Can my network operate properly to extend the network with both a wireless and wired extend functionallity?
Yes, but don't get confused about the second AirPort Extreme, as it would not be configured to "extend" a wireless network.....it would be configured to "create a wireless network" using the same wireless network name, security settings and password as the Time Capsule network. Configure the second Extreme in Bridge Mode.
This Apple support document will show you how to hookup and configure the second AirPort Extreme:
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4260

Can i unplug time capsule from the ethernet cable and still use it??

can i unplug time capsule from the ethernet cable and still use it??

I have tried to extend that wireless line but as soon as i remove the LAN cable i have no internet connection anymore. So basically, does the TC get the signal wireless from the router??
The Time Capsule can wirelessly extend a wireless signal....but only if it is being provided by another Apple AirPort wireless router.
If the "main" rotuer there is not an Apple AirPort router, you will need to connect to the network using a wired Ethernet connection.

HT4259 Direct Connect Two Time Capsules together with Ethernet.

I have TWO Time Capsules ( One upstairs providing Time Machine backup to IMAC #1 ) and (One downstairs providing Time Machine Backup to IMAC#2)
I would like to extend the wireless network portion of this to reach the whiole house with ONE wireless network. I know I can EXTEND the network, but my question is can Connect the two time capsules together via Ethernet cable ( my house is pre wired). This will essentially ensure that the two devices have a solid connection instead of relying on WIRELESS.
Any reasons to NOT do this?
Time Machine will be used differently on the two devices.
Thanks
Ron

Hello!
I have the same problem, i am trying to do this
Timecapsule nr 1, ISP uplink to WAN.
from this one i have LAN to the other timecapsule to WAN.
On the first timecapsule i have DHCP/NAT enable.
On the second i have, Bridge mode.
But when i am connected with eth to the second one i wont recive dhcp addresses or anything... like it wont passtrough.
Any ideas?

How to integrate AT&T U-Verse with existing Time Capsule wireless network

I would like to switch from Comcast HDTV+Earthlink internet service to AT&T U-Verse, but it’s not clear to me how to integrate the AT&T system with our existing Time Capsule/wireless set-up. The TV (with cabled DVR) is in our family room; the Time Capsule, printer & iMac are in the study. Do I need to move the Time Capsule - so it is directly connected to the AT&T ‘gateway’ box via ethernet cable - or - can I just attach an Airport Express module to the modem/router box and leave the Time Capsule where it is? (I plan to turn off the wireless function on the AT&T device.)

No, we have a mix of 802.11g & 802.11n devises, so it looks like I will need to use the WDS option
Yes, this is your only option here.
can I 'create' a (Apple) WDS network rather than 'participate' in a (2Wire) network?
Maybe I am mistaken, but I sense that you may be thinking that you can somehow combine the 2 Wire and Apple networks together in a WDS setup. This is not possible since they are not compatible for this purpose.
You will configure the main Apple router to "participate in a WDS network". There is no other way to set it up if you want to use WDS. It will be configured as the "main base station" in the setup.
You could leave the 2Wire network "as is" and use it for guests or some other purpose. There is some concern though about having different networks in close proximity due to likely interference effects between the devices.
(2) Can I use an Airport Express device in 'relay' mode and also use it to stream AirTunes to the stereo?
Yes
I'm also wondering if the 2Wire device & the TC should have the same password and security (WPA2), so the NetQuakes seismograph in the garage can 'see' the internet through both devices. But perhaps a question for another day...
OK to use the same WPA2 Security, but having the same password for two distinct networks may cause some confusion.

Mac connects but PC won't connect to internet via TIme Capsule wireless net

I have my personal Mac and work PC at home. I'm switching from a wireless network using my airport extreme base station to a new time capsule. Had no problems earlier, but now with my new wireless network I have the following problem:
- Both Mac and PC are able to connect to my home wireless network created through Time Capsule
- Only Mac can access the internet via the Time Capsule wireless network
- PC connects fine to the wireless network, but the settings indicate the internet cannot be accessed
I've tried fiddling with configurations etc. but cannot seem to get the PC to connect through to the internet using my Time Capsule.
The PC will connect directly to the net if I plug in the ethernet from my cable modem....What's the problem? Any ideas?

Welcome to the discussions forum AZR-DC.
The PC will connect directly to the net if I plug in the ethernet from my cable modem...
Make it a habit to power down your modem whenever you connect something different to it. Merely detaching the AEBS and attaching your Time Capsule or your computer directly will confuse most modems, so leave it powered down for a few moments. Power down your other equipment while you're at it.
Then, power up all the equipment as follows:
Modem... wait a few moments for it to complete its startup sequence.
Time Capsule. Wait a few moments again.
Computers.
Be sure your PC and your Mac are getting their addresses "via DHCP".

Extend Time Capsule Wireless Range

I am having trouble with my Time Capsule's wireless range. I am not a networking expert by any means. I own an old building that is 4 stories connected by stairs with thick walls. All the rooms ethernet cables converge in a cubby on the 3rd floor. I placed my Time Capsule in the cubby, but I couldn't receive a wireless signal from the 1st floor. This is ironic because I have an old Netgear G router that sends signals throughout all 4 floors. So I bought an Airport Express to extend my network wirelessly, but the signal has been unstable perhaps because the Time Capsule's wireless signal is too weak. So I want to connect the Airport Express on the 1st floor using the Ethernet link from the 3rd floor Time Capsule which is my main router. From my research, I discovered about WDS networks, which I believe you have to use in order to create a network with multiple Apple base stations linked through ethernet.
I called Applecare who told me:
-To connect from Time Capsule to Airport Express using Ethernet, must use WDS network. Setup Airport Express as Relay, NOT Remote.
-Relay- Direct ethernet connection from Time Capsule to Airport Express, then wireless connection from Airport Express to Macbook.
-Remote- Wireless signal from Time Capsule to Airport Express, then direct Ethernet connection from Airport Express to Macbook
I have several questions for you wise people out there:
1. To extend the Time Capsule wireless network using the Airport Express, but connected directly via ethernet, do I need to setup a WDS network?
2. I prefer to just use the simple Apple settings "extend network wirelessly". Will this setting only boost a wireless signal received from the Time Capsule? Can it not extend a wireless signal sent directly from Ethernet?
3. I'm considering getting a Quickertek Triband antenna to place outside the cubby. Anyone have any experience with Airport external antennas?:
http://www.quickertek.com/products/timecapsuletriband.php
Any information would be much appreciated! These networking issues have been giving me months of headache.
Thank you!
Alexander
Specs:
Apple Time Capsule 1TB
Airport Express N version
Connected with 2.4ghz. band to N capable Macs.

Extending your network with an AirPort Express (AX) won't boost the TimeCapsule's (TC's) range per se. It will expand the network's range by adding another transceiver.
If you'd prefer to avoid using Ethernet to connect the TC and AX, you might get a better signal on the first floor if the AX was on the second floor, i.e, roughly halfway between the TC and the 1st-floor computer. [Extending the range of an 802.11n network|http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?path=AirPortUtility/5.1/en/ap21 24.html] describes how to configure them.
If an Ethernet linkup is no problem, though, that should work even better. In this case, it's best to use different (by 3 or more) channels on the 2 stations to reduce the chance that they'll interfere with each other.
Either way, it's best to use the same network name, network password, and encryption on both stations so you can roam freely through the building without needing to switch manually between them.
[Designing AirPort Networks 10.5-Windows manual|http://manuals.info.apple.com/enUS/Designing_AirPort_Networks10.5-Windows.pdf] is another good resource you may find helpful.

AirPort Time Capsule - wireless backups

I think I may have messed up the setup of my shiny new AirPort Time Capsule.
I had bought it to hide away in a corner, wirelessly backing up my Mac.
During setup I was unable to connect it to my household wifi network and to play around I ended up setting up a second wifi network from the ATC itself.
I followed the instructions wrt a Hard/Factory resets, but each time the original setup is copied back across from Airport Utility and I've not been able to start from scratch.
Having tried again whilst connected to my modem/router via ethernet I have been able to get a green light and perform a backup. Given the size of this the ethernet connection is appropriate?
For my future incremental backups, what steps do I need to take to be able to disconnect the ethernet cable and resituate the ATC elsewhere?
In Airport Utility, when Network Mode is set to 'Extend a wireless Network' no networks are listed of the several visible to the Mac, iPhone, iPad.
The ATC hasn't been ethernet connected directly to the Mac. The Mac isn't ethernet connected to the modem/router.

Should I interpret your comments that the ATC will always need to be connected to the Mac or the modem/router?
As I said previously.....
As illustrated in the Time Capsule Setup Guide, the Time Capsule needs to connect to your your modem or modem/router using a permanent wired Ethernet cable connection.
Permanent would mean just that.....a fixed wired connection at all times.
The only exception to this rule would be that if your "main" router....the one that provides your wireless network....is also another Apple wireless router.
So, unless you have another Apple router providng your main wireless network, the Time Capsule will need to connect using a permanent wired connection to your modem or modem/router at all times.
I also said.....
Once you have the Time Capsule set up correctly, you can connect your Mac directly to the Time Capsule using an Ethernet cable for the first backup, since the data transfer will typically take place 4-5 times faster using a wired connection.
Once you have the first backup done, then you can switch to wireless on your Mac and back up that way, since each incremental backup should only take a few minutes.
That should be pretty clear.
You don't have to connect your Mac to the Time Capsule using a wired Ethernet cable for the first backup, if you don't mind waiting 4-5 times longer for the first backup to occur, with greater chances of an error occuring during the process.
With a wired connection, the first backup might take a few hours. With a wireless connection, the first backup might take all day. Most users would opt for the faster and more reliable option, I would think.
The first Time Machine backup copies over everything on your Mac to the Time Capsule. After the first backup is done, Time Machine only backs up the changes that have occurred on your Mac since the previous backup.
These "incremental" backups should not involve copying a lot of data, so using wireless on your Mac to connect to the Time Capsule will work fine for this process.

Time Capsule wireless problem

recently my TC which as been working fine, lost its wireless connection. I went back to the factory default settings and reset the entire system. My laptop "sees" the TC right away in Airport Utility but cannot read the configuration profile (times out). If I plug in an ethernet cord from the TC to my laptop everything works just fine. As soon as I unplug, nothing. Obviously, I am not getting a wireless signal from the TC.
I unplugged the Airport Express unit I have b/c I was concerned about interference. I also reverted to 7.3.2 from the newer version.
I have restarted the TC repeatedly with no improvement.

Hi mmcb and welcome to the discussions.
Sorry, I can't quite follow your description, so apologies if you have already tried this. Have you tried connecting the ethernet cable from your computer to one of the LAN ports on the TC to try to configure or re-configure it using AirPort Utility?
As you describe, it does sound like you do not have wireless set up on the TC.
When you have Airport Utility open, click on Manual Setup at the lower left of the pane. On the next window, click the Airport Icon at the top of the pane. Then click the Wireless tab in the next line below that reads Summary - Time Capsule - Wireless-Access.
Check to make sure that the Wireless Mode is set to "Create a Wireless Network". You should see your wireless network name, radio settings security, and password. If not, you need to reconfigure them. See if that helps.

Time capsule wireless router will not work

I have a Time Capsule that I use as a wireless router in my condo. Our internet company was recently purchased by another company, and after the transition, I am not able to connect to internet wirelessly. My condo is wired with active ethernet ports. If I plug the ethernet cable directly into my computer, I am able to log in to the ISP's main page and connect to the internet without any problems. However, if I plug my ethernet cable into the Time Capsule as I did before, I cannot connect. Before the company bought the old company, I didn't have any issues. I've called their Tech Support 3 different times about this and they tell me they don't provide support for my wireless routers because there are so many different types. They suggested resetting the router password, but I'm not completely sure how to do that. Is that different than my airport password?
I should also note, that if I pull up System Preferences and to the "assist me" feature under the Network option, it tells me that I'm connected.
Any help you can provide would be fantastic! I'm at my wits end with this issue, as I connect a number of devices to my Time Capsule wirelessly.
Regards,
Jake

I have a 2TB Timecapsule and really only use it for Time Machine backups. But the Wi-Fi side is used to sync my iPad at times.
Mine is wiredup thus;
Eth cable from iMac to modem (not the WAN port should you have one), then eth cable from modem to T/Cap in the WAN port (bottom port with an O sign above it)
I believe when its connected up you may have to set up a wireless network. Follow the instructions to set up Wi-Fi and Network
and then give it a password. The WiFi icon should appear in the menu bar where you can switch it on or off.
Its been sometime since I set it with the help of Apple Techs so I might be a bit rusty.
Alan

Time Capsule wireless deactivation

My Time Capsule to Modem (ethernet) connection no longer functions. I have had to install a replacement wireless router.
I have connected the TC to my Mac using ab ethernet cable to have access to my data. This works!
I want to shut-down the TC wireless feature so that the TC network does not always showup on the Airport network list.
Is this possible, and how do I do it?

Simply select off for wireless mode.

Time Capsule wireless speeds issue

I recently upgraded my internet service to a 16 Mbps cable modem service, and am thrilled with the speeds I'm getting when my iMac or MBP is directly connected to the Time Capsule by ethernet. When connected in this fashion, I can easily download at 2.0 MB/sec or more. On wireless, however, there is a discrepancy I cannot explain. Although the iMac and MBP can transfer data over wireless between each other at speeds of several MB/sec or more, when I try to download from the internet over the Time Capsule wireless I get only 200-400 KB/sec. Obviously there's nothing inherently limiting the wireless to those speeds, so I cannot explain it. Using one of the older 1 TB Time Capsules at 2.4 GHZ, 802.11n (b/g compatible - no option to change near as I can tell), WPA personal, and I have an Airport Express N at the other end of the house to extend the range. Any thoughts?

I'm sure this doesn't help you, but I think I have the exact opposite experience from you. When I connect to my Time Capsule with either ethernet or wifi, I can download from the internet at speeds of 14000Kbps, which is about 1.4MBps, I guess. For the LAN, if I'm connected via ethernet, I can get pretty phenomenal speeds. But if even one system is connected via AirPort, the speed drops to where I'm struggling to get 1KBps. It makes streaming to my AppleTV impossible - I need to decide a day early about any movies to watch. And syncing up iTunes between my desktop and laptop takes hours if done over WiFi as opposed to taking seconds if done over ethernet. So far I've found no option to select to speed things up. I hope you find an answer - maybe my problem is related to yours.
For changing to 802.11n only, I've never found a way that would work either.

Time Capsule: wireless or ethernet?

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