Time Capsule as Extender in Bridge mode: how to confirm LAN connection to main station

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Time Capsule as Extender in Bridge mode: how to confirm LAN connection to main station

thanks in advance for any insights on this...

Now that I've successfully extended my WiFi network to another floor using a second (spare) Time Capsule, how can I confirm it's using the LAN connection vs using WiFi (apparently the default). It seems obvious that the extender antenna would benefit from being hardwired to the main antenna, which I MAY have in place but can't confirm. I say "MAY" because I have 3 ethernet ports in the upstairs room where the extender is located, and I don't know which one comes out in the room with the main antenna (but I do know one of them does). I've tried all 3 and conducted speed tests, but nothing seems to suggest I'm hardwired. Attaching a screenshot here which also suggests the extender is just picking up a WiFi signal, but I'm not positive this is definitive as such, or what it SHOULD say if the LAN connection is in effect. (small fly out view is what I see when clicking "connection Unknown")

So the setup is working fine and I suppose there's still some theoretical benefit — maybe the extender still serves to "boost" the signal upstairs; but in my purist view I'd have the extender hardwired and know I'm not adding more noise to the airwaves, and deriving maximum benefit as well.

thanks.

MacBook Pro 15″, macOS 10.15

Posted on Sep 14, 2020 5:01 PM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

Bob Timmons

Community+ 2025

Level 10

184,736 points

Sep 14, 2020 6:07 PM in response to Elvis Alien

Best to start over again and set up the "remote" Time Capsule from scratch and let the setup "wizard" do the work for you to configure the remote Time Capsule correctly.

Make sure that the Ethernet cable connection from the network connects to the WAN "O" port on the remote Time Capsule

Hold in the reset button on the remote 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. This "Hard Reset" will not affect any of the data on the Time Capsule hard drive.

On your Mac......

Click the WiFi menu at the top of the screen and look for a listing of New AirPort Base Station

Just below that listing, click directly on AirPort Time Capsule

When you click on Time Capsule, that will start up the setup "wizard". It will take a few seconds to analyze the network and then suggest the correct setup for the Time Capsule with a screen that looks similar to the example below, except that you will see your devices and network

Type in a device name for the Time Capsule. You can use the same name that you used before if you wish

Click Next

Watch the next screen very carefully to see that the Time Capsule is being set up to extend using Ethernet. This will confirm that the setup wizard has picked up the wired connection to the remote Time Capsule so it will apply the correct settings.

When you see the message of Setup Complete, click Done and you are done.

If you open AirPort Utility again to take a look at the actual setting that was applied to the Time Capsule, you will see that it is.......surprisingly to most users........"Create a wireless network". That is the correct setting when any Apple router has an Ethernet connection to the network.

You had the wrong setting for the Time Capsule previously, that was why things were not working correctly. This will happen if you setup the Time Capsule.........before.......you have the Ethernet cable connected to the Time Capsule. Then, the Time Capsule is set up to connect using wireless, and when you connect the Ethernet cable, a huge feedback loop occurs over the network.

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Answer 2

Sep 14, 2020 5:15 PM in response to Elvis Alien

You are not showing quite enough of the screenshot.. but it is easy to see and btw the setup is different using wireless vs ethernet for backhaul.

Here is older setup I was running.. (no longer run the airports except for tests)

The dotted line shows wireless backhaul.. the solid line is ethernet.

Your setup is wireless judging from the popup you have showing the wireless link. That will be obvious by two things..

On the wireless tab you will see Extend a wireless network.. This is wrong for ethernet .. completely wrong.. it will crash the network by looping ethernet and wireless. You must use Create a wireless network using same SSID and password when ethernet backhaul is setup.

If the ethernet is at least connected the green light on the port will turn on.

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Answer 3

Elvis Alien Author

Level 1

8 points

Sep 15, 2020 4:30 PM in response to Bob Timmons

This approach worked (though it did take me 3 tries). I confirmed I had the correct port by (duh) turning off my wifi and connecting the ethernet cord directly to my laptop. Only the center port of the 3 provided network access — ta da. Knowing this, I followed your instructions but something in the memory of the original setup wouldn't let go until I tried "forget this device" (a very small button, easy to miss) and did another hard reset. Finally on the third try the "wizard" showed "Connecting by Ethernet" (!) instead of Wirelessly — how gratifying.

Thanks so much for the help with this. I must say, for all Apple's ease-of-use generally speaking, this did not seem at all obvious and nowhere in my explorations of guided setups did I see a clear delineation of methods for wireless vs hard-wired extending. To your point, "Create a wireless network" doesn't sound anything like extending one using a hard-wired connection...which does obviously seem like the preferred configuration if at all possible. Just one guy's inexpert opinion.

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Answer 4

Elvis Alien Author

Level 1

8 points

Sep 14, 2020 5:36 PM in response to Bob Timmons

This and the next post are very helpful, feeling slightly more edified...

It looks like I'm NOT leveraging the Ethernet connection (correct, this is the hardwired cable I was referring to, sorry that wasn't clear) and need to "Create a wireless network" — but the post subsequent to yours suggest I did have the hardwired connection going at least once (fortunately I remember which of the 3 ports I had plugged into at this point) because both stations crashed (and everyone in the house "yelled" at me over text. Wife even called me, which was nice bc it was the first convo we'd had all day). Both stations have since rebooted of their own volition.

I haven't yet changed the setting — I'm guessing you have a specific next step in mind? Thanks!!

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Answer 5

Elvis Alien Author

Level 1

8 points

Sep 15, 2020 12:45 PM in response to Bob Timmons

This is fantastic information and I fully intend to put it to use....as soon as I find the right opportunity. This is difficult with 5 people in the house constantly using the network (zoom meetings, classes, etc) — I keep checking the wirelessly-connected extender station and it's happily serving a steady stream of customers now so...short of some way to migrate them to the main station so I can disconnect the extender station, need to leave the remote alone till the right moment.

I'll report back here when that moment comes. Thanks...

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Answer 6

Elvis Alien Author

Level 1

8 points

Sep 15, 2020 6:39 PM in response to LaPastenague

Interesting take. Thanks for the input and perspective.

It is sad they let the product line languish and then abandoned it but understandable as you describe it. I'm a little attached to this particular hardware/technology; but glad to hear about mesh. I'll take a look at this as inevitable upgrades need to be made...

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Answer 7

Sep 15, 2020 12:50 PM in response to Elvis Alien

Should not take more than 5 minutes to set things up, assuming that the Ethernet cabling is working correctly.

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Answer 8

Sep 14, 2020 5:26 PM in response to Elvis Alien

We assume that the "remote" Time Capsule is connected back to the "main" Apple AirPort router using a wired Ethernet cable connection, correct?

Open AirPort Utility

Click on the "remote" Time Capsule

Click Edit in the smaller window that appears

Click the Wireless tab at the top of the next window.

iF......the Time Capsule is connected correctly via Ethernet, then there will be a check mark next to the setting to "Create a wireless network". This setting is used only when the Time Capsule connects to a network using an Ethernet connection.

IF.....the Time Capsule is connected via WIFi, there will be a check mark next to the setting to "Extend a wireless network". This setting is used only if the remote Time Capsule will be connecting using wireless.....not Ethernet.

What setting do you see? Please do not try to change any settings at this time. Settings are interactive....change one things and another thing that you are not aware of may change.

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Answer 9

Sep 15, 2020 5:31 PM in response to Elvis Alien

for all Apple's ease-of-use generally speaking, this did not seem at all obvious

Overall Apple does a remarkably good job of automatic setup of networks as long as everything is Apple.

At the same time there is a reason people have Tertiary degrees in networking and special training (cisco certification) for anything more complicated.

100% agree.. Apple has often chosen terminology that does not correspond to anyone else.. in effect trying to make it easier to understand but in reality just makes it harder.

I have tested lots of brands of routers.. and I must say up until mesh came out, Apple was still top of the heap in terms of setup ease to the network challenged. But they threw in the towel and mesh has now taken over with superior and better automation. As often happens the market leader did NOTHING being content with what they produced and cut down all R&D. After 6 years of do nothing.. they lost the crown. In a field where you need new products every 6months it is no wonder they just gave up.

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Time Capsule as Extender in Bridge mode: how to confirm LAN connection to main station

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