How would I go about continuing to use my Time Capsule to back up my Mac if I use the Google Nest WiFi Mesh network for a router? I need to know how to set it up that way, please and thanks!
MacBook Pro 15", macOS 10.14
Because you are establishing a new network connection for the Time Capsule, you must first perform a Hard Reset on the Time Capsule to delete the current network settings so that new settings can be applied to connect to the Google network. The reset will not affect any of the data that might already be stored on the Time Capsule hard drive.
To perform a Hard Reset........
Power up the Time Capsule (if it is not already on) and let it run for a minute or two
Hold in the reset button on the back of the Time Capsule for 7-8 seconds and release
Allow a full minute for the Time Capsule to restart to a slow, blinking amber light status
If you have the "tall" or "tower" shaped version of the Time Capsule, the reset button is located just to the right of the AC power cord socket. If you have an older "flat" or "square" version of the Time Capsule.....that looks like a small white pizza box.....the reset button is located on the right side of the back panel next to the security slot.
Connect an Ethernet cable from one of the Ethernet ports on the back of the Google router to the WAN "O" port on the back of the Time Capsule. This connection must remain permanent at all times.
On your Mac......
Click on the WiFi menu at the top of the screen
Look for a listing of New AirPort Base Station
Just under that listing, click directly on AirPort Time Capsule.....or....it might just say Time Capsule
When you click on Time Capsule, that will start up the AirPort Utility setup "wizard". The wizard will take a few seconds to analyze the network and then display a screen that look will look similar to the example below, except that you will see a Time Capsule pictured.
Network Name.......Type in a name for the Time Capsule wireless. Later, you can turn this off if you do not need another network
Base Station Name.....Type in a device name that you want to call the Time Capsule
Password......Type in a password for the Time Capsule
Verify......Type in the same password to confirm
Click Next.....the setup wizard will configure the Time Capsule with the correct settings. When you see the message of Setup Complete, click Done.
Make sure that your Mac is now connected to the Google Wi-Fi network.
Check to see if the Mac will now back up to the Time Capsule. It may....and it may not.....if more settings will need to be changed. Report on your results.
If you do not need the WiFi service from the Time Capsule, we can turn that function off as well. Let us know what you want to do.
Because you are establishing a new network connection for the Time Capsule, you must first perform a Hard Reset on the Time Capsule to delete the current network settings so that new settings can be applied to connect to the Google network. The reset will not affect any of the data that might already be stored on the Time Capsule hard drive.
To perform a Hard Reset........
Power up the Time Capsule (if it is not already on) and let it run for a minute or two
Hold in the reset button on the back of the Time Capsule for 7-8 seconds and release
Allow a full minute for the Time Capsule to restart to a slow, blinking amber light status
If you have the "tall" or "tower" shaped version of the Time Capsule, the reset button is located just to the right of the AC power cord socket. If you have an older "flat" or "square" version of the Time Capsule.....that looks like a small white pizza box.....the reset button is located on the right side of the back panel next to the security slot.
Connect an Ethernet cable from one of the Ethernet ports on the back of the Google router to the WAN "O" port on the back of the Time Capsule. This connection must remain permanent at all times.
On your Mac......
Click on the WiFi menu at the top of the screen
Look for a listing of New AirPort Base Station
Just under that listing, click directly on AirPort Time Capsule.....or....it might just say Time Capsule
When you click on Time Capsule, that will start up the AirPort Utility setup "wizard". The wizard will take a few seconds to analyze the network and then display a screen that look will look similar to the example below, except that you will see a Time Capsule pictured.
Network Name.......Type in a name for the Time Capsule wireless. Later, you can turn this off if you do not need another network
Base Station Name.....Type in a device name that you want to call the Time Capsule
Password......Type in a password for the Time Capsule
Verify......Type in the same password to confirm
Click Next.....the setup wizard will configure the Time Capsule with the correct settings. When you see the message of Setup Complete, click Done.
Make sure that your Mac is now connected to the Google Wi-Fi network.
Check to see if the Mac will now back up to the Time Capsule. It may....and it may not.....if more settings will need to be changed. Report on your results.
If you do not need the WiFi service from the Time Capsule, we can turn that function off as well. Let us know what you want to do.
1-under this setup, is the TC backing up wirelessly via the Google Nest network (to which it is tethered via ethernet cord) or via it's own wireless network?
The answer depends on which WiFi network your Mac is connected to at the time.
If the Mac is connected to the TC wireless, then the signal is traveling over WiFi to the Time Capsule for the backup.
If the Mac is connected to the Nest wireless, then the signal is traveling from your Mac to the Nest router, then it is converted to an Ethernet signal to get to the Time Capsule.
2-I'd like to be sure there is no wireless interference between the TC and the new Nest network.
The only way to insure that there will no interference between the TC wireless and Nest wireless is to disable the wireless on the TC.
Is it possible to turn off the wireless network of the TC?
Yes, if you open AirPort Utility, click on the TC to select it and then click Edit in the smaller window that appears to display the next window. Click on the Wireless tab and change the setting for Network Mode from Create a wireless network to Off. Then click Update at the lower right of the window to save the new setting and give the TC a minute to restart.
Would it still be able to backup via the ethernet cord to the Nest Wifi?
Yes, as explained above if you are using the Nest wireless to back up.
3-If I cannot disable the wireless network of the TC, would I at least be able to make the network name hidden so it doesn't pop up in any network lists and confuse guests (or me!).
No such thing as a "hidden network" since there are any number of free utilities available over the Internet that will display a hidden network in seconds.
I usually shut off the Wi-Fi network on the Time Capsule, and then connect to the local wired network that’s (usually) (minimally) available at whatever local network box is connected to the ISP. Connections to the Time Capsule then happen through the existing Wi-Fi network, and that wired connection.
Now, my remaining questions are: how to solve the problem of the printer and the ethernet line to the solar communicator. Can I continue to have these lines coming out of the back of the TC which is now tethered to the google Nest router?
Yes
Strictly speaking though, it would be better to add a 5 port Ethernet switch to the back of the Nest router and then connect Ethernet devices......including the Time Capsule......to the switch.
Why? Lets say that you have Ethernet devices connected to the Time Capsule.....and the Time Capsule has a problem. In that case, all of your Ethernet devices connected to the Time Capsule will likely have a problem as well.
If you connect an Ethernet switch to the back of the Next router and then connect all the Ethernet devices to the switch, the Time Capsule might have a problem.....but the other Ethernet devices will not be affected.
Here is an example of a 5 port switch. They also come in 8 port and 16 port, etc versions.
hello, I'm in a similar situation and am trying the instructions above now. I also had some additional questions.
I previously had a Time Machine Capsule (3T) which I used for wifi broadcasting and for (usually) wireless backups. In addition, I had connected to the Time Machine the following: a USB line going to an old-school laser jet printer which is not wifi-capable by itself but which works like a charm; and an ethernet line going to a wireless device which allows my solar panels to communicate with the manufacturer.
While the Time Machine internet speeds were quite good when close to the TC, there were some gaps and weak zones in the house. SO I wanted to try a mesh set-up primarily to deal with that. I chose Nest Wifi mesh system (comprised of one primary wifi point and one additional point). So far, the wireless internet broadcast is working pretty good.
Now, I need to figure out what to do with the other non-wireless broadcast functions which my TC served: (1) backup drive; (2) USB connection point for a non-airprint/non-wireless printer (which made it, in effect, a wireless network printer; and (3) a connection point for an ethernet line running to the solar communication device.
Following the instructions above, I was able to connect the old TC via an ethernet line to the back of the Nest Wifi primary point/router. Set up the TC following the instructions above and commenced a backup. So far, so good.
Now, my remaining questions are: how to solve the problem of the printer and the ethernet line to the solar communicator. Can I continue to have these lines coming out of the back of the TC which is now tethered to the google Nest router? Unfortunately, the Google Nest router only has one ethernet port in the back of it.
Any advice would be appreciated. thanks, Ed
Hey, that's a good suggestion. Thank you.
So, I was able to complete a wireless backup of the TC tethered to the google Nest Wifi router with an ethernet cord. Everything looks as it should in that respect.
I'll look to introduce an ethernet switch for the reason you mention.
Thanks again for your help.
oops. forgot some followup questions.
1-under this setup, is the TC backing up wirelessly via the Google Nest network (to which it is tethered via ethernet cord) or via it's own wireless network?
2-I'd like to be sure there is no wireless interference between the TC and the new Nest network. Is it possible to turn off the wireless network of the TC? Would it still be able to backup via the ethernet cord to the Nest Wifi?
3-If I cannot disable the wireless network of the TC, would I at least be able to make the network name hidden so it doesn't pop up in any network lists and confuse guests (or me!).
thanks again,
ed
Using Time Capsule with Google Nest WiFi Mesh Network
