HT204078: How to migrate Time Machine backups from one AirPort Time Capsule to another

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yovecmm

Q: Cannot do step 2 - new Airport will not connect to old TC

I really would like to keep my old back ups if feasible . However, each time I try to connect the new Airport TC to the old one, the connection fails . In addition, I lose the internet connection in my house . This despite the fact I leave the cable modem connection intact to the old TC. I have and LAN to LAN connection of the TCs. When I remove the new TC, the internet connection auto restores.

 

Any ideas out there ? Is the new TC some how trying to take over the internet connection? The new TC was straight out of the box and not reset in any way.

Posted on Oct 31, 2015 2:23 PM

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Q: Cannot do step 2 - new Airport will not connect to old TC

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  • by Tesserax,Helpful

    Tesserax Tesserax Oct 31, 2015 3:09 PM in response to yovecmm
    Level 9 (54,558 points)
    Wireless
    Oct 31, 2015 3:09 PM in response to yovecmm

    I'm assuming that you are trying to replace the existing Time Capsule (TC) with the new one ... correct?

     

    If so, then it should be simple matter of just leaving the new TC in its "out-of-the-box" configuration, and then, connecting an Ethernet cable between one of the available LAN (opposing arrows) ports on the old TC to the WAN (circle of dots) port on the new TC. In its default configuration, the new TC would perform as a wireless Internet router that will be broadcasting an unsecured Wi-Fi network with a network name of something like: Apple Network NNNNNN.

     

    To help you troubleshoot, we will need some additional information.

     

    Specifically:

    • The make & model of your Internet modem.
    • The model of your old TC.
    • The model of your new TC.
    • What are you using to administer your base stations? Mac, PC, or iOS device? Regardless, which operating system is it running and which version of the AirPort Utility will it be using?
  • by yovecmm,

    yovecmm yovecmm Oct 31, 2015 3:06 PM in response to Tesserax
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Oct 31, 2015 3:06 PM in response to Tesserax

    Thanks for the prompt response . The Apple HT article , HT204078, step 2 says connect old to new via LAN to LAN, not WAN.

    Additional Info as requested :

    Arriss TM722

    Old TC purchased late 2011; serial 6F1180B9ACD; running 7.6.4

    New TC ME182LL/A ; 802.11ac 3TB; purchased early 2015

    Using 10.8.5 of OS via iMac to admin / also Airport Utility 6.3.1

  • by yovecmm,

    yovecmm yovecmm Oct 31, 2015 3:07 PM in response to yovecmm
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Oct 31, 2015 3:07 PM in response to yovecmm

    Should I just go ahead and connect old to new via the WAN as you suggest ?

     

    Thanks for your time on this .

  • by Tesserax,Helpful

    Tesserax Tesserax Nov 4, 2015 2:56 AM in response to yovecmm
    Level 9 (54,558 points)
    Wireless
    Nov 4, 2015 2:56 AM in response to yovecmm

    Thanks for the info.

     

    For the initial set up process it really shouldn't matter which port on the new TC that you connect to but I recommend the WAN port for consistency. Your iMac should now "see" the new TC from the Wi-Fi icon drop-down menu on the OS X menu bar.

     

    Select it and the AirPort Utility should start up asking you what you want to do with this new base station. I am assuming that you want to replace your older TC and you should choose that option in the utility.

  • by yovecmm,

    yovecmm yovecmm Nov 4, 2015 3:02 AM in response to Tesserax
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Nov 4, 2015 3:02 AM in response to Tesserax

    Thnaks T

    Did the WAN connection and followed the "replace the old" dialog. It went well through its steps but at the end I received an error stating " there was  a problem" . I spoke directly to Apple at that point and they strongly encouraged me to just decommission the old TC and start the new one fresh . I will simply keep the old data on the old TC . If I need to see that older data or use it to restore , I can mount the drive .

    Any thoughts on how to use the old TC as something like a NAS so that it keeps spinning?

  • by Tesserax,

    Tesserax Tesserax Nov 15, 2015 4:53 PM in response to yovecmm
    Level 9 (54,558 points)
    Wireless
    Nov 15, 2015 4:53 PM in response to yovecmm

    Any thoughts on how to use the old TC as something like a NAS so that it keeps spinning?

    FWIW. I own two TCs. I use one for Time Machine and the other as a general file server ... so your thought on using yours as a NAS will certainly work. In addition to performing as a file server, you can use your old TC as a print server as well.