How can I connect my Apple TC (& Airport extreme) to non-Apple (ASUS) router? I tried "Creating New NW", "Extending current NW" etc but the system creates a TC network and that doesn't seem to function well after a while, keeps interfering with my current network.
Ideally I would like to use the ASUS wi-fi, use the TC wirelessly and also be able to use the Airport Extreme to extend it - is this possible?
Unfortunately, the TC cannot connect to a third party network using only a wireless connection, so that idea won't work. Likewise, the AirPort Extreme cannot connect this way either.
The TC can connect to the Asus router using a permanent wired Ethernet cable connection and then "create a wireless network", which the AirPort Extreme can extend using a wireless connection. You won't use the WiFi signal from the Asus router at all if you go this route though, or you could use it as a guest network. Here, I am assuming that the TC would be located close to the Asus router.
IF......you are able to locate the TC a few rooms away from the Asus router, and connect it back to the Asus router using a permanent wired Ethernet cable connection.......then......the TC could be configured to use the same wireless network name and password as the Asus router and you will have a WiFi network with greater range. In addition, the AirPort Extreme could extend the TC network using a wireless connection in this type of setup.
Unfortunately, the TC cannot connect to a third party network using only a wireless connection, so that idea won't work. Likewise, the AirPort Extreme cannot connect this way either.
The TC can connect to the Asus router using a permanent wired Ethernet cable connection and then "create a wireless network", which the AirPort Extreme can extend using a wireless connection. You won't use the WiFi signal from the Asus router at all if you go this route though, or you could use it as a guest network. Here, I am assuming that the TC would be located close to the Asus router.
IF......you are able to locate the TC a few rooms away from the Asus router, and connect it back to the Asus router using a permanent wired Ethernet cable connection.......then......the TC could be configured to use the same wireless network name and password as the Asus router and you will have a WiFi network with greater range. In addition, the AirPort Extreme could extend the TC network using a wireless connection in this type of setup.
So basically I cannot use my Mac to backup over wifi now
No, I did not say that. Since you mentioned that you had both a TC and an AirPort Extreme, I assumed that you wanted to make use of both products. There are other options if you don't want to use the AirPort Extreme at all for example.
If you connect the TC to the Asus router using a short Ethernet cable.......and you don't need the additional WiFi network that the TC can create, then you can turn off the WiFi function on the TC and use it only as a backup drive. Your Mac would continue to connect to the Asus WiFi and back up to the TC, since the TC is connected to the Asus network.
The downside......you have to leave the TC connected using the Ethernet cable permanently.....and.....the AirPort Extreme would not be used at all.
If I "create a new network", is there any way I can continue to use the Asus network, which is what I prefer.
Yes. Rather than turn off the WiFi on the TC, you would just ignore the TC wireless network......or.....use the TC wireless network as a guest network. If you did this, then the AirPort Extreme could act as a wireless extender for the guest network. The guest network might even have better range than your Asus WiFi network, assuming that the TC and AirPort Extreme WiFi are working correctly.
PS - can I connect my TC directly to the cable modem upstairs somehow and use it as a second wifi router? If yes, how?
You haven't mentioned that other modem upstairs before, so now I'm confused. Normally, you can only use one modem per network, unless you want to pay the cable company for two separate Internet accounts. If this were the case, then you would not be able to use the Asus WiFi to back up to the TC, since the TC would be on a separate network with a separate Internet connection.
Does the upstairs modem work if you connect your Mac directly to the modem? Or, is this just a spare modem that is no longer being used because your Asus router has a built in modem?
I was using them as my wi-fi router/s, but the wifi connection kept dropping every now and then, so I had to switch to a 3P router :(
How old is the TC? How old is the AirPort Extreme? If they dropped the WiFi connection before, they will likely drop the connection again if you try to use them as WiFi routers. Your best bet might be to connect the TC to the Asus router using an Ethernet connection and turn off the WiFi on the TC and use the TC only for backups. Sell the AirPort Extreme on eBay if you have no other use for the product.
The upstairs modem is not spare. It is the main cable modem. The downstairs ASUS router is connected to that via in-wall ethernet
You can only connect one router to a modem, so it is either the Asus or the TC.
I bought the TC 3-4 years back and the AE a little before then. They should have a life more than that, no?
5 years, on average, is considered to be about the useful life for a router designed for home use. Some go longer, some head downhill sooner. I got 8 years from one Airport router and about 2 with another, so things can vary.
I have been connecting/etherneting TC to downstairs ASUS router, but if needed, I can try and connect to upstairs modem - if that helps me to utilize it better somehow
You likely have the Asus where it is for a reason, so I don't know what the advantage would be to have it close to the modem.
Leaving the TC connected to ASUS permanently and not using the AE is the last resort, but I can go that route if nothing else works.
If you want to use the TC, it must be connected permanently to the Asus router using an Ethernet connection. No exceptions to this. The only possible variation.....if you cannot run the Ethernet cable......would be to try to use Ethernet over powerline adapters to send the signal over the AC wiring in your home. I don't recommend these devices, but they seem to work for some users who are willing to accept a huge speed loss.
If I have to, how can I turn off the WiFi on the TC?
Change the setting under the Wireless tab in AirPort Utility from "Create a wireless network" to "Off". This is what the setting looks like on my TC:
If I have to, how can I 'ignore the TC wireless NW' (or use it as a guest NW) - my Mac kept picking it up last time, even though I removed it from the list of available networks. Mac connects to the ASUS network for some time, and the suddenly it switches to the TC network and then stops working. :(
You ignore it by not connecting to it. If you remove the TC network from the list of networks that the Mac has joined in the past, you have to restart your Mac for the change to take effect. Otherwise, the network will keep appearing on the list of networks. If you want the Mac to connect to the Asus network as a priority, the Asus network has to appear at the top of the list of networks. If it's not at the top, drag it there and remember to restart the Mac after you make the changes.
Unless you really do need a guest network.......(the Asus router might already offer that option).......my advice would be to turn off the WiFi on the TC and use it only as a backup drive. Then you don't have to worry about which network a device might connect to. Bottom line....... the simplest solutions always work best.
What I would do is put the TC back as main router. Just as you suggested.
VikasBh wrote:
It's the ASUS Dual-Band Gigabit WiFi Gaming Router (AC3100) with MU-MIMO, supporting AiProtection network security by Trend Micro.
At this point, I am even willing to get rid of it and go back to using my TC as a router if we can somehow prevent the dropping of the wi-fi every now and then...
By amazing coincidence.. I have the same one. Normally we just use the RT-AC88U name.
In my case the Asus is the main router and the TC is setup next to it as bridged AP.. more for keeping it in network for testing than anything at this stage.
In your case the better setup at least worth checking is to use the TC upstairs as the main router.. plugged into the modem.
Plug the Asus downstairs via the ethernet and set it in AP mode.
That removes a significant part of the Asus functionality of course but it is still an excellent wireless AP and functionality like USB and Time Machine is still available.
**NB** before you put the Asus in AP mode.. change it to match the TC IP LAN setup..
e.g. you are using the TC in it normal default configuration.. 10.0.1.1 with DHCP set to 2-200.
So in the Asus set the LAN to 10.0.1.201 and turn off the DHCP server BEFORE you put it in AP mode.. because it will disappear on you and make it really hard to find.. by pre-configuration you will be able to find it easily in the network.
From the upstairs TC you can extend wireless using the Airport Extreme.
Let me note you can configure the Asus either with the same wireless name SSID as the TC and password. Please keep them short, no spaces and pure alphanumerics.
One thing to note is smart connect has never been great.. and roaming does not work well.. but in the normal setup a Mac downstairs can backup to the TC upstairs without issues.
Smart Connect is used in the TC when you have one wireless name.. so if you have a separate name for 5ghz then smart connect is not used.. same in the Asus. Use separate wifi names for the two bands.. this is more important when you mix equipment. And I presume wish to keep the same wireless naming consistent around the network.
You can also lock down some wireless channels which also is helpful. e.g. use a DFS channel in the ASUS if you can select it.. like 132. And set the TC to 149. Again this just helps to keep wifi stable when using multiple brands.
And yes.. happy to give more details via email.. you can pick it up on my website.. since apple mods have been rather zealous of late.
Only one router.. i.e. the TC upstairs..
The Asus downstairs is working in AP mode. NOT ROUTER.. you plug it into the back of the TC LAN port as if it is another client.. and the Asus will supply wifi downstairs.. about 5-10x better than the TC btw.
Thought that you were going to work with LaPastenague over email. Don't want to get two different sets of instructions going, because everyone does things a little differently.
My method uses the AirPort Utility setup "wizard" for the basic set up, so that it will apply the correct network settings for the TC. But, to get the WiFi turned "off" on the TC will require a few more clicks.
The Asus router cannot "switch" to the TC WiFi network in this type of setup, so you don't need to be concerned about that.
You have 3 options:
1) Ignore the TC WiFi network.......make believe it is not there
2) Use the TC WiFi network as a network for "guests".......so you don't have to give out the password to your "private" network
3) Turn off the WiFi service on the TC.......so it will act like a wired hard drive
It's your call.
Thank you! In the past my iMac has abandoned the ASUS network and picked up the TC Wi-fi network randomly. I will remove it from my list of networks and restart the computer so it's not visible to the iMac.
But just in case I run into further problems - how can I turn off the Wifi service on the TC?
What model Asus router do you have?
The better models support Time Machine and you might want to have a go backing up directly to Asus with a USB 3 hard disk installed.
Thank you - helpful! So basically I cannot use my Mac to backup over wifi now. I can definitely Ethernet the TC to Asus but they would have to be next to each other. Already my cable modem is upstairs and Asus is downstairs connected through a long in-wall cable.
If I "create a new network", is there any way I can continue to use the Asus network, which is what I prefer. If not, then is my other option to ethernet my TC to my Mac for regular backups? :( How can I put my Airport extreme to use then?
PS - can I connect my TC directly to the cable modem upstairs somehow and use it as a second wifi router? If yes, how?
I was using them as my wi-fi router/s, but the wifi connection kept dropping every now and then, so I had to switch to a 3P router :(
Thank you so much for the very prompt responses. I understand much better now. So here are some further explanations in case that changes your recommendations (I want to ideally use both of them - TC & AE - if possible)
If it is easier you can also respond to me on a one-on-one email or something, I don't want to bore the whole world with my saga. Thanks again!
At this point, I am even willing to get rid of it and go back to using my TC as a router if we can somehow prevent the dropping of the wi-fi every now and then...
Ok thanks a ton! So essentially, I will
One LAST question i promise..
Thanks! Before I proceed with understanding this in detail - Bob just said I can only connect 1 router to a modem so I wont be able to connect my TC to the modem upstairs, and then the ASUS to the same modem from downstairs. I have only one modem. I will send email.
So, you have not applied any of the instructions from LaPastenague and the Asus router is still going to be your "main" router?
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Connecting Apple TC to non-Apple wi-fi Network
