Using Time Capsule as Backup Destination Only

The information in your original post told us that you are planning to add a new router and that you want to use the Time Capsule for backups.

Rather than trying to "switch" routers......something that you would not want to do......my suggestion was to use the new router to take control of the network and provide a WiFi signal for your other devices and use the Time Capsule only for backups, which will occur automatically without you having to "swap" or "switch" anything.

If this is not what you want to do......can you tell us a bit more about what you do want to do?

Switching routers....(the TC and other router)..... is a sure recipe for constant problems. Do not do this unless you are prepared to troubleshoot things every time that you change routers.

It would likely make much more sense to install the new router and set it up to use the wireless network name and password that you are using on the TC.......then......connect the TC to the new router using a permanent wired Ethernet cable connection and turn off the WiFi on the TC so that backups will occur over the new router's WiFi network.

This way, you do not need to do anything for backups to occur automatically. If this sounds like it makes sense to you, post back for more instructions.

Unfortunately, we will not be able to tell you how to assign the same wireless network name and password that the TC is now using to your new router. You will need to ask the support folks for the new router how to change the WiFi network name and password.

Have you already set up the new router with the same wireless network name and password that the Time Capsule was using?

If not, and you are still planning to use the name of the Time Capsule WiFi network and password with the new router, you would want to get that set up first......before......you reset and install the Time Capsule to work with the new router.

Please let us know where things stand so that we can provide the correct instructions.

agreed with this. NOT a good idea.

your systems will start juggling IP addresses and get confused. you'll run into headaches.

one option, was mentioned here.

the easiest - as mentioned - just connect to your router as a switch or extender... you'll have both and your main router will continue doing DHCP mapping.

if you don't have enough ports... look into a cheap switch. you an get one for like $15 off amazon or online retailers. i have something like this... and yes i use my old time capsule airport express as just a wifi backup solution for my macbook. it doens't do anything else except just a cheap reliable place to backup my macbook through time capsule.

if you use the airplay on your network with printers... it'll be whatever your primary router is which also has airplay / airprint.

so if your TC is main router with airprint options.... yep that's gonna be what handles the printing.

if your TC has it disabled, is main router... and the SECOND router has the airprint enabled... then that second one would be the one handling it.

in my case, yes, the TC is also handling printing. it's the secondary router.

honestly, i'd rather have the airport/TC be the "second".... i've found while it plays EXCELLENT with apple products... it's really not as powerful or robust as other brand routers. it's useful for having it on the network... as it handles apple stuff like a champ... but i wouldn't count on it for main workhorse.