Using Time Capsule as a second, separate wifi network?

I hope someone can solve this little riddle that I've been mucking around with for a couple of days now.
I have an existing wireless network, connected to the internet via an old Belkin wireless modem/router.  I have an iMac and various other devices successfully connected to this Belkin network.  But the other day I purchased a HD media player to stream vidoes, etc from my iMac to my TV.  The problem is that the media player won't connect to the Belkin wireless network no matter what I try. 
I also have a Time Capsule that I use solely as a back-up disk, connected via ethernet cable directly to my iMac, with wifi switched off.  So I had the bright idea to use the TC to set up a wholly separate wifi network simply to connect the media player to my iMac,  Long story short, it kinda worked but ended up spiralling me into a whole world of pain with the TC which I've only just managed to correct.
Basically I was in fact able to connect the media player to the TC wifi network but was only able to navigate my way to the Time Capsule itself, not to the actual iMac.  So I aborted but that's when all the trouble started; trying to switch off the wifi on the Time Capsule...!
So my question comes down to this:  Is it possible to have the iMac connected to the internet via the Belkin wifi router/modem and also have the TC act as a secondary wifi network which is solely an access point for other devices to connect to the iMac?  Ideally the iMac might also then act as a gateway/proxy for the other devices to connect to the internet (but this is not critical, just an idea to possibly take full advantage of the capabilities of the new media player...).
It sounds feasible to me but I think I'm getting a little out of my depth...

If the Belkin is acting as a modem, put it in bridge mode and turn off its wifi, connect the TC to it via Ethernet cable, set up PPPoE on the TC to connect to your ISP and use the TC as the router for everything on your LAN.

Similar Messages

  • The Apple time capsule provides disc memory, a wifi network, and router functions. It would normally be connected to the internet via cable modem.  If I wanted to use a wireless cellular connection to the internet, how would I do that?

    The Apple time capsule provides disc memory, a wifi network, and router functions. It would normally be connected to the internet via cable modem.  If I wanted to use a wireless cellular connection to the internet, how would I do that?

    If I wanted to use a wireless cellular connection to the internet, how would I do that?
    The wireless cellular device would need to have an Ethernet port, to provide an Ethernet signal to the Time Capsule's WAN port.

  • Using Time Capsule for backup only (no Wifi)

    I posted a problem in another thread ( https://discussions.apple.com/message/22500623#22500623 ) about conflicts with my Time Capsule and Comcast modem. Apple concluded that there was a hardware problem with the Time Capsule. I got a new Time Capsule yesterday since I couldn't get a refund on the old one. Because configuring the Time Capsule to work as a Wifi station requires such a hassle and I don't get any extra benefits in terms of speed compared to my Comcast modem, I now have a very expensive hard drive for backup. I have some questions about using the TC for backup only since I am running into some problems with the backup.
    1. Does the TC have to be connected to my modem? It seems that when I do not connect the TC to the modem then I end up with the backup stalling after a few GB. Additionally, I end up with the flashing amber light.
    2. If I do connect the TC to the modem it backs up but my WIFI grinds to a halt (likely a product of all the data pushing from the computer through the modem and to the TC). I should add that in Airport Utility I have turned off WIFI on the TC so it should not be interfering with the WIFI. If I do need to connect to the modem are there any tips for not messing up WIFI speeds beyond just backing up when everyone is asleep? I assume not, but it can't hurt to ask.
    Thanks.

    2. My initial setup showe various errors so I hooked the TC into the modem via the WAN port and then I was able to set up (WIFI off, Bridge Mode OFF) and those errors went away.
    If I understand your last post correctly, you say that I should do a reset on the TC. Re-configure but leave the errors because backups will still work. Then I can leave the TC unplugged until I need to use it (which has the added bonus of limited flashing amber light). Is this correct?
    You are setting up the TC in the wrong mode.. it has to be in Router mode.. Not Bridge..
    You are worrying too much about the flashing amber.. it is irrelevant. You can select ignore and it will go green.
    This setup is actually simple.
    So here is what I suggest.
    1. Factory reset the TC.
    Just to get started from a clean setup. And that will put the TC in the correct mode.. ie dhcp and nat.
    2. Plug it by ethernet LAN TC to computer. On the computer no other connection.. turn off wireless.
    3. Just change the name of the TC to something short as it helps.. eg TCGen5
    And turn the wireless off.
    And ignore all the other problems.
    4. Now setup TM.. I would also start clean.. do a fresh TM setup .. see A4 here.
    http://pondini.org/TM/Troubleshooting.html
    5. Run the backup. Maybe even erase the TC before you start so you are really doing a fresh clean backup.
    The very first backup will start quickly and drop to very slow speed as there are heaps of very small files in the system.. these take a long time to process.. but as it proceeds it will speed up. Overall you should still average 50GB/hr.
    6. Once you complete the first backup, later ones should be fine.. but do not expect them to work as well as when you do it hourly.. it does need to do a lot more work to figure out where the TM backup is up to.
    I would like to get you to have another crack at using the TC properly in the network. When you are over the pain of all this.. and perhaps when apple releases a decent firmware update you can go back to it.. but I have another suggestion for setup. Get the above working first so you have a good first backup of all your computers.

  • Using Time Capsule to backup a small office network

    Hi all,
    I am hoping somebody may be able to tell me if this is a good plan or not. I have been really struggling to find a good network backup solution. I've been trying to make a Lacie Ethernet Disc Mini work but have finally given up on that one.
    I am trying to find a simple solution to backup a network of 5 macs. 1 is currently plugged straight into my router, another router port extends to switch in another building which has 4 further macs along with other network devices connected. Crucially, there is no wireless access from this building to the router.
    Would all macs backup to the Time Capsule, including those that are wired via the switch? If so, at what speed? I have heard suggestions that it can be a very slow process?
    I'm not worried about any kind of streaming - purely a good backup device.
    All advice very gratefully received,
    Regards
    Richard

    Hi Richard,
    I have a small business and chose to use Time Capsule as a backup for my company's network. We have 12 workstations and use all Macs, some wireless and some not. I'm an experienced Mac sys admin and have setup many networks, including designing and installing the network we currently have, which is driven by a Leopard Server.
    Based on a year of experience working with Apple's newest airport extreme and capsule products, I would not use them in business and am moving towards a wireless network hd using Carbon Copy Cloner as my software. This is due in part to numerous calls to Apple for support on these items, having to reset them dozens of times, and being told by Apple support that using these products for business is not recommended.
    Carbon Copy Cloner is a great tool for a backup, especially for workstations, as you can create partitions for each computer on your HD and CCC will create *bootable* backups of your HD - a great lifesaver if a computer fails and you don't have time to reinstall everything.
    I will be putting the capsule and extreme devices on Craigslist for sale and hope to recoup enough to get the wireless network drive, which my research shows is the best way to get network backup solutions for small business.
    I hope this helps.

  • Using Time Capsule in a college provided WiFi environment

    This fall, my daughter transferred to Barnard College from Drexel University.  Drexel provides internet in the dorms via ethernet.  Barnard is totally WiFi.  At Drexel, she plugged her Time Capsule (TIME CAPSULE 2TB (4TH GENERATION)-USA - MD032LL/A) into the ethernet jack and connected her MacBook to it wirelessly.  Now at Barnard she does not have the same setup.
    I know she can connect her MB to TC with an ethernet cable, but is there a way to configure her TC and MB in this environment to use the TC wirelessly such that her MB is connected to both the TC and Barnard's WiFi internet connection?

    Not directly no.. the problem is wireless cannot connect to two clients at once. (Ethernet can).
    Nor can the TC at as a wireless repeater to a non-apple wireless device. That is just how apple make them.
    So choices.. setup express as wireless bridge to the TC.. so it can connect by ethernet, then send a wireless signal to the MB so it can connect to both. This can work but not if the college has a login screen.. that messes things up entirely.
    If they have a login screen then you have to use ethernet or you have to use a USB wireless dongle plugged into the MB to provide a second client.
    Note also they may have rules about running your own wireless routers.

  • Just bought new time capsule- need help setting up WiFi network with another router

    Here ismy situation.
    I had a wireless network setup up at home using a Belkin wifi router.
    I have 2 macBooks (1 pro, 1 air) and 2 iphones that connect wirelessly and a desktop PC that is hard wired to the ethernet port.  In addition, I have a Verizon wireless network extender plugged in by ethernet.  All of the hard-wired gear is in our 3rd floor attic office (and the wireless signal was strong throughout the house).
    The Belkin wifi router was plugged into a wall ethernet jack that is in turn wired into a Linksys router in the basement (along with multiple other ethernet ports througout the house) and is hardwired to the Cable modem next to it.  All of the hard-wired ethernet stuff (including the router in the basement) was there when we bought the house, and I have no clue in the tangle of wires how to sort them out (but don't really think I need to)
    I just purchased a TimeCapsule to do wireless backups of my 2 macbooks, and tried to set it up alongside the existing wireless modem.
    Needless to say, this did not work well. I called  AppleCare, and was told that the TimeCapsule needs to be the "1st" wireless adapter, so I went into the basement, and connected the time capsule directly to the cable modem, and then out to the basement router.  The Belkin router still needs to be in the attic to supply the PC and the Verizon adapter (so it is near a window for GPS signal). 
    If I try to name the WiFi network the same SSID on both the TC and the belkin router (to have dual signal strenth coverage) the whole thing gets messed up and the TC cannot be "found" by the aiprort Utility software.
    What I have done now is that I have 2 side-by-side wireless networks with 2 unique names (actually 3, because I enabled the 5Ghz signal on the TC), but our wireless devices do not "switch" automatically from one SSID  to another stronger signal SSID as we move through the house
    Here's the question: How do I name them the same so that the devices will switch effortlessly to the stongest signal?  I understand it involves switching the "channels" but don't know how to do it right now.  Currently, everything works, so I don't want to mess it up tinkering.  Another caveat- there are several other wireless networks from neighbors houses that I can "see".  I jsut downloaded a program called iStumbler that shows the channels, but not sure what to do with that info.
    Any advice would be appreciated.

    Here's the question: How do I name them the same so that the devices will switch effortlessly to the stongest signal?  I understand it involves switching the "channels" but don't know how to do it right now.  Currently, everything works, so I don't want to mess it up tinkering.  Another caveat- there are several other wireless networks from neighbors houses that I can "see".  I jsut downloaded a program called iStumbler that shows the channels, but not sure what to do with that info.
    Any advice would be appreciated.
    OK.. sounds like a mess.. or at least messy and the previous people should have left a log book with all the IP address info in it.. you have far too many routers.. but from here it is impossible to tell how they are configured. Most are probably just setup as AP.
    Naming rule for wireless.. Same SSID same security different channel.
    SSID ie wireless name to work on the PC side should have no spaces and no special characters. TC name should also follow that rule. So the devices need to all set with fixed channels.
    Don't worry too much about iStumbler and what is outside your house.. there isn't enough channels at 2.4ghz anyway. And you are going to need to use them all. There are only three non-overlapping channels. 1, 6, 11 so set each device to one of those channels. The TC should be as close as you can to where you normally use the MacBooks.. and turn on the 5ghz. You will have to leave it to automatic name so the Macbook can also roam across from 2.4 to 5ghz. But if you care to use a different name and force it onto 5ghz the speed is much better as long as you are in the same room.
    Roaming is great in theory.. often in practice it just doesn't work.. you need to step in and turn off wireless and then turn it back on.. you can quickly see which router it is connecting to by hold down the option key when you click the airport fan in the top menu area.. and look at bssid.. you will have to figure out which number MAC address relates to which router.
    Also do not be surprised if Lion gives you issues. It seems to often drop out and lose connection to the TC as a backup device even if internet is still working.

  • After a power interruption, iMac no longer connects to wifi using time capsule. IPad connection to wifi remains intact.

    I am prompted "the network (network name) requires a wpa password." after inputting my password, I have no success. Network status is on but is not connected to a network.

    Hi, this has worked for a few...
    Make a New Location, Using network locations in Mac OS X ...
    http://support.apple.com/kb/HT2712
    10.7…
    System Preferences>Network, top of window>Locations>Edit Locations, little plus icon, give it a name.
    10.5.x/10.6.x/10.7.x instructions...
    System Preferences>Network, click on the little gear at the bottom next to the + & - icons, (unlock lock first if locked), choose Set Service Order.
    The interface that connects to the Internet should be dragged to the top of the list.
    Instead of joining your Network from the list, click the WiFi icon at the top, and click join other network. Fill in everything as needed.
    For 10.5/10.6, System Preferences>Network, unlock the lock if need be, highlight the Interface you use to connect to Internet, click on the advanced button, click on the DNS tab, click on the little plus icon, then add these numbers...
    208.67.222.222
    208.67.220.220
    Click OK.
    Also, turn off IPv6:
    System Preferences » Network » AirPort » TCP/IP tab » Configure IPv6
    Or whatever Interface you use.

  • Using time capsule through Belkin and Linksys routers

    I am working on a large house that has 4 wireless routers spread out. They are all attached via ethernet to a hub. There is a Linksys (which gets the internet and distributes the IPs) There are two apple extremes (one of which connects to a printer) and a Belkin (with 2.4 and 5.0ghz). They all have the same network name. The wireless printing appears to be working fine across the network, but the time capsule only seems to work when im in range of it. Can i get it to work through the network?

    --Can I use Time Capsule through my landlords existing WiFi network witihout ever plugging it directly into the modem or router?
    Yes, if your landlord has an Apple router providing the wireless signal. No, if not.
    --Could I then use Time Capsule to extend the wireless network from upstairs and get a stronger wifi signal in my suite?
    Yes, if your landlord has an Apple router providing the wireless signal. No, if not.

  • Problems using time capsule to extend wireless network

    Hi all,
    For some months I had to move to Germany for work (I'm from Italy, sorry for my English).
    I am sharing internet with some other people, the wi-fi router is in their apartment, so basically I don't have access.
    As the signal is strong enough only in one room I would like to use my time capsule to extend it also in the other rooms.
    But when I try to extend it, my macbook pro connects to the network I would like to extend and the time capsule is not seen anymore.
    To see the time capsule again in the airport utility i have to reset it to factory default.
    Do you have any idea?
    The wireless network is WPA2 protected, the provider is the German "Unity Media".

    As the signal is strong enough only in one room I would like to use my time capsule to extend it also in the other rooms.
    Apple's "extend" feature will only work if the Time Capsule is "extending" the wireless signal from another Apple wireless router. In other words, the "extend" feature is not compatible with wireless routers from other manufacturers.
    You will need to connect the Time Capsule to the wireless router using a wired Ethernet connection.  Connect from one of the LAN <-> ports on the wireless router to the WAN "O" port on the Time Capsule.  Then, you can configure the Time Capsule to provide a separate wireless network for your use.

  • Using Airport Express as separate wifi network vs extender with Time Capsule?

    Hello all.  I recently converted my home computer network from Windows/PC based to an iMac with Time Capsule.  On my previous setup, I had a Cisco/Linksys router with wifi, and I also had two Airport Expresses in separate areas of the house where the Linksys had a weak signal.  Obviously, I had the Airport Expresses set up as "separate" wifi networks, as they could not be used as network extenders with the Linksys.  This setup seemed to work really good, as the 3 wifi networks provided good blanket coverage in all parts of the house.  Each network also seemed to "hand-off" to the other pretty well, meaning that Airport Express 1 would show as the active network when you moved far enough away from the Linksys (or insert any of the network names here, even though I'm pretty sure that the device accessing the network has more to do with this than the networks themselves).  In particular, the speeds that I got from the Airport Expresses actually eclipsed the speeds that I would get from the Linksys wifi.
    My issue is that after I converted everything, I left the Airport Expresses as "separate networks" and essentially removed the Linksys/Cisco router and replaced it with the Time Capsule.  So I still have 3 separate wifi networks, just like before, with the Time Capsule network taking the place of the Linksys wifi network.  While the Linksys and the Airport Expresses seemed to co-exist together nicely, I get the feeling that the TC and the AEs are somehow working against each other or at least competing with each other for bandwidth.  For example, if I have my iPhone right beside my iMac and TC, and I run a speed test on the iPhone using the TC wifi network, I get download and upload speeds in the range that I am expecting (30-40 mbps download).  However, when I walk down the hallway to the other end of the house, the TC tends to remain the dominant wifi network, even when I am in the same room with one of the AEs (this is where they used to "hand off" nicely between networks).  When you run a speed test in this location still on the TC wifi, the speed drops down to 5-7 mbps, and worse, I believe the signal becomes inconsistent because webpages and data often seem to be freezing in the middle of downloading.  I understand that the distance from the TC is causing this, because my solution has been to manually switch from the TC to the closest AE, and that fixes the issue.  Run a speed test after I manually switch to the closest AE when I am in the same room as an AE, and the speeds pop back up to 30-40 mbps.
    My question is this:  would switching the AEs to "extenders" of the TC wifi network help this issue?  Honestly, my laziness was one reason that I did not do this when I setup the TC initially, because I have several devices that access the AE wifi networks that I'd have to update with the new network name and password.  Everything was working great before, and I just didn't want to upset the apple cart.  But if I have created an unfriendly environment between the TC and the two AEs, I certainly have no problem making the change now.  I just wasn't sure if making this change would fix my problem or not.  I know it's a mundane thing, but I'd like to be able to roam the house without continuously having to manually switch between wifi networks to get a consistent signal.
    Sorry if this is a simple issue.  I am admittedly a newbie with the TC and its interaction with the AEs. 
    Thanks in advance!!

    It is not a simple issue.
    Exactly which method works best is going to take some experimentation.
    The way you are trying to set it up as a roaming network is generally considered the best.. but the devices like iphones do not hand off neatly.
    It is interesting that they in fact used to hand off better using the Linksys.. which could be due to its poorer range. The new TC having so much better range is causing the phones to not swap "towers" to the local express.
    Test it with a Mac laptop.. as generally they do hand off better.
    I cannot quite figure out if you are using roaming correctly. All the wireless should have identical names, with identical security setting and passwords.
    The only thing that should be different is wireless channels on each item. And you are likely just using auto anyway.
    So each device is creating a wireless network. And for 2.4ghz one should be channel 1, then another channel 6 and another channel 11. For 5ghz it will be same idea but there are more channels available.
    When you extend wireless, everything runs the same channel. But the wireless speed is reduced. You must disconnect ethernet to each of the expresses.. and the problem is your 30-40mbps will reduce permanently to 15-20mbps for all clients. So take your choice.. 15-20mbps for all clients forced to double hop is better than 5-7mbps which you experience now when you walk around.. although I am not sure how much browsing you do whilst walking. You may need to compromise which is the better out of several not great alternatives.
    I would have a test.. which is wrong btw.. but I have heard that it works.
    In your roaming network at the present time. Try setting each router to a manual wireless channel.. and fix all of them the same. So for instance, set 2.4ghz to channel 11. Try fixing the 5ghz as well, say the TC is defaulting to 149, it might not actually respond to manual wireless channels.. you will need to test this.. say set to 36 or 40 and see if the TC is actually changed.. if not just set all the expresses to 149 as well. What you are doing is trying to reinforce the wireless in each area.. but this is actually wrong. So all will have same wireless name and same security wpa2 personal is the only valid one.. and all the same password.
    Test with a few clients and see if the results give you decent local speeds as well as better roaming.. once you decide which to do, then you will need to change all the clients.

  • How do I use my Time Capsule to back up my wife's MacBook Pro running 10.4.

    I just installed a Time Capsule. I've extended the range with two Airport Expresses. I've connected my MacBook running 10.6.3 to the wireless network. I've connected my wife's MacBook Pro running 10.4.11 to it. I've connected my wife's 3G iPhone to it and my first gen iPhone to it and our Apple TV to it. All devices can connect to the internet. I've connected the Time Capsule to the printer and printed wirelessly from both computers.
    I've backed up my MacBook and seen that the Time Machine is backing up my MacBook as it should.
    How do use the Time Capsule to back up my wife's MacBook Pro running 10.4.11? I've tried connecting them via ethernet cable and via USB cable. In both cases the Time Capsule failed to show up as an external drive and wasn't seen by the 10.4.11 back up utility.
    How do people do this? (Other than convincing their wives to let them upgrade their MacBook Pro to 10.6.3?)

    James Elliott1 wrote:
    How do people do this? (Other than convincing their wives to let them upgrade their MacBook Pro to 10.6.3?)
    That really is your best option. Sooner or later, you're going to have a problem with the "other" data on your Time Capsule, since the backups of your Mac will, eventually, fill up all the available empty space. That will, of course, limit the space available for the other backups.
    There's a very cumbersome workaround in the blue box of #Q3 of the Using TIME MACHINE with a TIME CAPSULE *User Tip,* also at the top of this forum.
    Another is to connect a USB drive to the Time Capsule, partition it if desired, and back up one Mac to it and the other to the TC's internal drive.

  • Can I use the new Time Capsule to backup my mid 2010 Macbook Pro? Also can I want to free up my hard disk, can I save my photos and files on the time capsule and later access through wifi?

    Can I use the new Time Capsule to backup my mid 2010 Macbook Pro? Also can I want to free up my hard disk, can I save my photos and files on the time capsule and later access through wifi?

    Can I use the new Time Capsule to backup my mid 2010 Macbook Pro?
    Yes, if you are asking about using Time Machine to backup the Mac.
    Also can I want to free up my hard disk, can I save my photos and files on the time capsule and later access through wifi?
    You are not thinking of deleting the photos and files on your Mac, are you?  If you do this, you will have no backups for those files.
    Another concern is that Time Machine backs up the changes on your Mac. At some point, Time Machine will automatically delete the photos and files from the Time Capsule.....you just don't know when this might occur.
    In other words, only delete files from your Mac that you can afford to lose.

  • HT1178 i am setting u a new time capsule. i already have a wifi setup in my office. now i want to use this time capsule just as a wireless backup machine. do i still need to attached a DSL cable, or it can connect to my existing wifi and start working ?

    i am setting u a new time capsule. i already have a wifi setup in my office. now i want to use this time capsule just as a wireless backup machine. do i still need to attached a DSL cable, or it can connect to my existing wifi and start working ?

    You probably can, but this type of configuration is not recommended or supported by Apple.
    Two cautions if you want to try this:
    1)  The Time Capsule has to be configured to "Join" your existing wireless network in this type of setup...and to do that, you must know the exact type of wireless security that your network is using.
    2)  Backups are likely going to take twice as long. The wireless signal must travel from your computer to the wireless router and then from the wireless router back to the Time Capsule.  Two "hops"......even if the computer is located close to the Time Capsule.
    If you want to try this, we can tell you how....but with no guarantees on your results....since this is not officially supported.

  • I would like to use my iPhone 6's wifi hotspot to provide Internet at home (I do not have home internet) via a Time Capsule which I currently use the TC simply as a home wifi network without Internet to enable things like printing wirelessly and back

    I would like to use my iPhone 6's wifi hotspot to provide Internet at home (I do not have home internet) via a Time Capsule which I currently use the TC simply as a home wifi network without Internet to enable things like printing wirelessly and backing up data wirelessly via time machine.
    I have a Mac Pro, iPhone 6, iPad, Apple TV and Time Capsule. No home Internet.
    Is is possible to have my iPhone 6's wifi hotspot used to provide Internet to my wifi network on time capsule? Has anyone else had success doing this? I'm not a tech head and really know very little about things like this. Thanks. Jen 

    You can have a go using a wireless bridge.. eg the airport express will do this.. you can join it to the iphone wireless running as a hotspot.. and then plugged into the TC wan port.. the TC has to be setup in router mode.. so this is going to give you double NAT errors.. and of course errors for all the time the hotspot is turned off.. but it can work. However you might find it requires you to manually connect up each time.. If you are really going to try and do this you will manage it.. but how fiddly it becomes might put you off after a week.
    You will chew up your 5GB very fast using any streaming media even radio. So be very careful to track the usage.
    Apple should have built in the TC the ability to plug in a wireless 3G modem.. via the USB but Apple have ceased to do adventurous stuff.
    If you give up the TC as main router there are plenty of better products on the market that will handle multiple wan connections.. !!

  • How can I set up a guest WiFi network using Time Capsule and Airport Express extension?

    How can I set up a guest WiFi network using Time Capsule and Airport Express extension?

    Sorry, but it is not possible to "extend" the Guest Network using either wireless or an Ethernet connection.

Maybe you are looking for