Force time capsule to connect to existing wireless network at 5GHz speed?

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Level 1

4 points

Force time capsule to connect to existing wireless network at 5GHz speed?

I've just bought the dual band 2TB time capsule to be added to my current network as a wireless backup device. It's connected to my existing network just fine, on my 5GHz network (I run both a 5GHz and a 2GHz network, for laptops and iphones respectively).

However when I go into my router and look at the attached devices, the MAC address of the time capsule that appears is that of it's 2.4GHz network. Does this mean that it's actually connecting to my network as an 'a/b/g' device rather than an 'n' device? And if this is the case, how do I force it to connect as an 'n' device?

Mac Mini server edition, Unibody Macbook Pro 15/17, Advent Wind hackintosh :P, Mac OS X (10.6.2)

Posted on Mar 23, 2010 3:15 AM

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Answer 1

Jolly Giant

Level 7

25,464 points

Mar 23, 2010 4:55 AM in response to papalozarou

papalozarou wrote:
Does this mean that it's actually connecting to my network as an 'a/b/g' device rather than an 'n' device? And if this is the case, how do I force it to connect as an 'n' device?

try this:

launch airport utility and double-click on the TC to enter +manual setup+. go to the wireless tab and click on the +radio mode+ pop-up menu. select the desired mode from there and hit update.

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Answer 2

papalozarou Author

Level 1

4 points

Mar 23, 2010 4:57 AM in response to Jolly Giant

Thanks for the reply Jolly Giant. I will try this when I get home from work, but I think (think, not sure) that I tried this last night and I only got off, a/b/g or a/b/g and n as options in there - no n only.

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Answer 3

Jolly Giant

Level 7

25,464 points

Mar 23, 2010 5:07 AM in response to papalozarou

try pressing option on your keyboard while you click on the pop-up menu to display more choices.

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Answer 4

Bob Timmons

Level 10

185,114 points

Mar 23, 2010 5:57 AM in response to papalozarou

It sounds like you are configuring your Time Capsule to "join" a wireless network, correct?

There is not a way to "force" the Time Capsule to connect at 5 GHz, since like a computer, it is looking for the strongest signal.

5 GHz signals are absorbed by walls, ceilings and any obstructions much more quickly than 2.4 GHz signals. Unless you have near "line-of-sight" between your Time Capsule and the router, and the devices are within 20 feet or so of each other, it will likely connect at 2.4 GHz because this is the stronger signal.

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Answer 5

papalozarou Author

Level 1

4 points

Mar 23, 2010 7:05 AM in response to Bob Timmons

Bob thanks for the reply.

The Time Capsule is in the same room, about a metre and a half away from the router at present (as I've not figured out where I actually want to put it yet).

Also it is connected to the 5Ghz network (as the networks have different SSIDs), it's just that the MAC address that appears in my routers 'attached devices' screen for the Time Capsule is the same as the MAC address of the time capsules 2.4GHz network when I start up the Aiport Utility.

I guess what I'm trying to get to the bottom of is if this is normal and in actual fact it's connecting at 5GHz, but that the Time Capsule's MAC address, when used as a normal device connecting to a network, is the same as it's 2.4GHz network MAC address (if that makes sense).

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Answer 6

Bob Timmons

Level 10

185,114 points

Mar 23, 2010 6:32 PM in response to papalozarou

Is your router also an Apple device? We've seen some posts from users who report that they can join another manufacturers network at 2.4 GHz , but not at 5 GHz.

If you could connect your router and the Time Capsule using an ethernet cable, this would provide the fastest operation possible. Is this a possibility?

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Answer 7

papalozarou Author

Level 1

4 points

Mar 25, 2010 3:26 AM in response to Bob Timmons

It's a netgear dual band router (can't remember which number, but it's the sleek black one).

I had a look at the network transfer rate, from my macbook pro, via option clicking on the airport icon in the menu bar, and with the time machine on the 5GHz wireless network, the transfer rate was 54 or lower. WIthout it on the network it jumped to over 150. This, whilst not concrete, would back up what other posts have said - can you point me in the direction of those posts? For further reading? I tried a search but got nothing.

Regarding ethernet - I've plugged it in for now via Ethernet, but long term that's not really an option as I've got no space for it where the router is.

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Answer 8

Bob Timmons

Level 10

185,114 points

Mar 25, 2010 5:35 AM in response to papalozarou

Sorry, I can't direct you to specific posts or threads as I'm working from recall as a fairly active participant on the forum boards. I tried a few searches like "join at 5GHz", "5GHz join network problems", but didn't hit on the subject your specific issue.

Might be worth taking the shortcut here to talk directly to Apple support on this.

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