Using a Time Capsule to extend an airport network

I'm making plans to replace my aging (6-8 years old) Airport equipment with newer equivalents. My current setup consists of an Airport Express acting as the main router (wired into the ADSL modem and stereo), with an Airport Extreme extending the network in another room (with connected printer). I realise that one would normally use the Extreme as the main unit and extend it with the Express, but logistical reasons (the phone line is right next to the stereo) mean that I need to use the Express as the main unit or else lose the stereo from the network.
Anyway, I plan to replace the Airport Express with a newer Express and replace the Airport Extreme with a Time Capsule. Ideally the network setup would remain the same, with straight swap-outs of the units. However, I have been given conflicting information regarding whether a Time Capsule can or cannot be used to extend a network in this way (ie. whether or not it can be used to extend a network in which the main router is an Airport Express).
Can anyone provide me with a definitive answer to this? Many thanks.

My policy on answering questions is that I never answer one unless I've done it myself to verify.
In addition, you might want to refer to Apple's own Support Document linked below on extending....which anyone working at an Apple Store would have immediate access to with a few clicks at the computer:
Unfortunately, if someone at an Apple Store told you that the Time Capsule could not be used to "extend"......he was just wrong or too lazy to look up the answer, so he made one up. You might want to show him his own support document...and then talk to another sales guy there when you need product information.
Products Affected
AirPort Express 802.11n (1st Generation), AirPort Extreme 802.11n (1st Generation), AirPort Extreme 802.11n (3rd Generation), Time Capsule 802.11n (1st Generation), Time Capsule 802.11n (2nd Generation), Time Capsule 802.11n (3rd Generation)
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4259
Good luck on your consensus building.

Similar Messages

Can I use my Time Capsule to extend a current network? If so, How?

Can I use my Time Capsule to extend a current network? If so, How?

I want to use it wirelessly to extend the range of the network. I currently have an xfinity router as the main.
You may not have understood what I was trying to say above.
If you want the Time Capsule to extend wirelessly, then you must have an Apple router as your "main" router.
You have an xfinity router. You cannot use the Time Capsule to extend the range of an xfinity router wirelessly.

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

How can I set up a time capsule to extend my wifi network from a non-apple Medialink MWN-WAPR300N?

I just purchased a new Medialink MWN-WAPR300N from Amazon to replace my old 2008 500 GB Time Capsule.
I was wondering if it would be possible to use my old Time Capsule to extend the network from the Medialink router to the rooms in the back of my house. Would this be possible? How about if I use the Time Capsule as the primary point, and use the Medialink router to extend the network?
Thanks!

The Time Capsule would not be compatible with a Medialink product if you are thinking of trying to use the Time Capsule to extend the Medialink network using wireless only.
The same would be true if the Time Capsule were the primary router, and you tried to use the Medialink product to extend the Time Capsule network wirelessly.
If you can connect the two devices together using a permanent wired Ethernet connection, then you should be able to accomplish your goal.

Can i use my time capsule to extend my wifi signal without physically connecting it to my router?

I currently have a BT Homehub connected to a modem, which is connected to the ethernet port in my wall (which is downstairs). I bought a timecapsule to wirelessly back up my computer. It is connected via ethernet cable to my router. I have recently been having trouble getting a wifi signal in one room in my house (upstairs). To fix this i was wondering whether it is possible to move my time machine somewhere upstairs, to a location closer to this room, and have it transmit a wifi signal without it being connected to my router via ethernet. And if so how would i go about doing this?
cheers
jadidev

Can i use my time capsule to extend my wifi signal without physically connecting it to my router?
Yes, if you have an Apple router.
No, if you have a BT router.
IF....your Time Capsule is currently set up to provide a wireless network signal, you could add another Apple device...like an AirPort Express....to extend the Time Capsule wireless signal.

Using a time capsule to extend a fios router?

I know this topic has been covered many times, but I seem to have trouble finding my answer to my exact questions. I have verizon fios wireless router that they provided with the service. We have a large house with the fios router at one end. At the opposite end, the signal is very weak. I want to use my time capsule to extend the network to the other end of the house. Is this possible without connecting a long ethernet cord and placing the TC at the other end of the house. My ideal situation would be to plug the TC into the wall at opposite end of the house of the Fios router and have it connect to the Fios router and extend the wireless connection...is this possible? If not, can someone please solve my problem?

I just turned the wifi setting of my fios router off and plugged it directly into the time capsule. If I had a large house like yours, I would look at something like this:
http://www.engadget.com/2011/06/08/netgears-universal-wifi-range-extender-now-av ailable-for-baldin/

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.

Can I use my Time Capsule to set up multiple networks, or just one?

Can I use my Time Capsule to set up multiple networks, or just one? We'd like to offer the internet to clients who are at our studio, but don't want them able to access all our computers, so a second network for them would be useful.

Two big IFs here.
Not all versions of the Time Capsule have Guest Networking capability, so it might be a good idea to verify that first. Can you provide the model number of your Time Capsule. it's on the bottom of the device.....starts with an "A" followed by four numbers.
Next, assuming that the Time Capsule has Guest Network capability, the next requirement would be to verify that your modem is compatible with the Time Capsule for that feature.
Basically, you need a simple modem.....not a modem/router or gateway device that is often furnished by Internet Service Providers. If you are not sure what you have, post back with the make and model number of your "modem" and we'll see if we can find some details ont he device.

Using a Time Capsule to Extend a Non Apple Network

I have a home network that i use to connect to through wifi, i tried to extend it through my Time Capsule and it said "This network cannot be extended".
Whats the deal?
Message was edited by: Robert Boinski

If you've managed to set the Time Capsule up to "extend a wireless network" from the Belkin router, you are the first person to report success with this type of configuration.
Would you mind posting the details of your configuration so that others might benefit from your success?
You can perform a quick check on your configuration by locating your Mac near the Time Capsule and holding down the option key on the keyboard while you click on the fan shaped AirPort icon at the top of the screen.
The BSSID you see will be the AirPort ID of the Time Capsule. If you perform the same check near the Belkin router, you should see a different ID, that of the Belkin. Is this the case?

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.

How do i use my time capsule and extend the network with airport express

I have a new iMac and Time Capsule, how do i extend the network with airport express. My time capsule does have a guest net work, and logins and passwords? I am no computer person. So for me it would have to be spelled out.

Use the search as this has been done to death ..
Bob Timmons is the expert on this.. look at his answers here.
https://discussions.apple.com/thread/4274187?start=0&tstart=0
https://discussions.apple.com/message/21856077#21856077
This has been automated in the v6 utility. I am used to doing it manually in v5 utility which is also fairly easy.
Apple doco is also good to read.
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4145
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4259
Note.
You cannot extend the guest network unless everything is up to date 7.6.3 firmware. And that is only with the TC as the main router in the network.
All apple routers can be configured as the main wireless or as the extend wireless.. so don't worry if a post uses express or extreme or TC.. they are for wireless, the same thing.

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.

How to use a time capsule back up without a network

Does any one know if there is a way to set up a hard line backup to a timecapsule?

I assume you mean by Ethernet cable?

Extending my wireless network using a Time Capsule (U-Verse)

I am trying to extend my wireless network but every time I make a change on my Time Capsule I lose all connections and have to start over....
Here is my setup:
My internet provider is AT&T U-Verse
Router - 2Wire (I do have access to the router)
Connected to the router is a netgear 8 port switch used for all of the wiring in the house.
In my family room at the wall jack I have attached a Cisco 8-port switch.
To the switch are several AV devices including my 3TB Time Capsule.
My wireless setup is controlled by the 2Wire router.
What I am trying to do is to use the Time Capsule to extend my wireless network so portions of my house will receive a stronger signal.
I attempted several do configurations but after reboot it either can't find the network, I lose my Internet (from the time capsule) or some other error.
I usually have to connect a cable to the TC and my MacBook Pro to reset everything back to what it was.
Can anyone offer me any suggestions on how to configure this properly?
Thank you
Elliot

Open AirPort Utility, select the Time Capsule and click Manual Setup.
Click the Time Capsule tab at the top of the screen and check the settings on this page for correct name, Time Zone, etc. My TC looks like this:
Next, click the Wireless tab to the right of the Time Capsule tab.
The Wireless Mode is set to Create a wireless network.
Wireless Network Name would be the exact same name as your 2-Wire wireless network.
If the 2-Wire is using WPA2 Personal security, make sure the Time Capsule is set the same.
Enter the same password as the 2-Wire for the Wireless Password
Settings should look like this:
Next, click the Internet icon, then click the Internet Connection tab
Connect Using = Ethernet
Connection Sharing = Off (Bridge Mode)
Click Update to save the settings and allow a minute for the Time Capsule to restart to a green light
Very Important....
Next, power off the entire network....all devices, 2-Wire, Time Capsule, computers , printers, etc.
Wait a full minute
Start the 2-Wire first and let it run a full minute by itself
Start the Time Capsule next the same way
Keep starting devices one at a time until the entire network is back up
You should be in business now

Using time capsule to extend a 2003 airport extreme

I have a 2003 airport extreme. I have a 2011Time Capsule. How can I use the Time Capsule to extend my range wirelessly?

Unfortunately, this is not possible, since the older AirPort Extreme does not have a setting to "extend a wireless network", which was added to the AirPort Extreme models in 2007.
It might be possible to have the older AirPort provide some additional wireless coverage if it can be permanently connected back to the Time Capsule using a wired Ethernet cable connection.

Using a Time Capsule to extend an airport network

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