Q: Can an AirPort Time Capsule join and extend an existing Wi-Fi network?
Hello,
I just bought an Airport Time Capsule 5th generation (mid 2013) and I would like to set it up so that it extends the reach of my existing Wi-Fi network (provided by my DSL box) and at the same time serve as a Time Machine disk. To be clear, I would like the Time Capsule to connect to the Wi-Fi network of my DSL box and to rebroadcast it. All connections would be wireless. Is that supported?
I think it is and that it corresponds to what is referred to as "Wirelessly Extended Network" in the document below:
But the document also implies that it is supported only by 802.11n. Is that correct?
Regards,
Tom
Airport Time Capsule 802.11ac
Posted on Feb 23, 2015 4:06 PM
Apple's "extend" feature is proprietary.
The Time Capsule can only "extend a wireless network" if the network is being provided by another Apple wireless router....an AirPort Express, AirPort Extreme, or another Time Capsule.
In your case, the Time Capsule must connect to your DSL modem/router using an Ethernet cable that must remain connected at all times. You can locate the Time Capsule anywhere that the Ethernet cable will reach...up to 300 feet away from the DSL modem/router.
Alternately, if you want the Time Capsule to connect using wireless, you will need to add an Apple router to your DSL modem/router using a short Ethernet cable and then set up that router to provide a wireless signal. Then, the Time Capsule can connect to the wireless, assuming that it is located where it can pick up a good quality signal.
Posted on Feb 23, 2015 4:18 PM