How to integrate AT&T U-Verse with existing Time Capsule wireless network

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How to integrate AT&T U-Verse with existing Time Capsule wireless network

I would like to switch from Comcast HDTV+Earthlink internet service to AT&T U-Verse, but it’s not clear to me how to integrate the AT&T system with our existing Time Capsule/wireless set-up. The TV (with cabled DVR) is in our family room; the Time Capsule, printer & iMac are in the study. Do I need to move the Time Capsule - so it is directly connected to the AT&T ‘gateway’ box via ethernet cable - or - can I just attach an Airport Express module to the modem/router box and leave the Time Capsule where it is? (I plan to turn off the wireless function on the AT&T device.)

iMac, Mac OS X (10.5.8), also multiple MBPs (OS X 10.5 & 10.6)

Posted on Nov 23, 2010 10:16 AM

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Answer 1

Nov 23, 2010 10:27 AM in response to nootka

Welcome to the discussions!

would like to switch from Comcast HDTV+Earthlink internet service to AT&T U-Verse, but it’s not clear to me how to integrate the AT&T system with our existing Time Capsule/wireless set-up.

Can you tell us how you have things configured now? You should be able to re-configure things to work in basically the same way that they do now. Is that your goal?

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Answer 2

nootka Author

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Nov 23, 2010 10:55 AM in response to Bob Timmons

Yes, my goal would be to leave the printer & Time Capsule where they are. I have the Time Capsule configured as a WPA2 network, with 2 Airport Express modules extending its range, and one more attached to the stereo to stream AirTunes. The printer is directly connected to the Time Capsule. The Time Capsule is connected to a DSL modem.

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Answer 3

Nov 23, 2010 12:09 PM in response to nootka

The Time Capsule is connected to a DSL modem.

Then it should be a simple matter to connect the Time Capsule to the cable modem. Your wireless network name, security and other setup will remain the same as before.

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Answer 4

nootka Author

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Dec 20, 2010 1:28 PM in response to Bob Timmons

Thank you for your reply, but I need to clarify my intended set-up. When I change from the current Earthlink internet connection via ADSL/modem -- to a U-Verse internet connection -- the new modem box will be in a different room than the Time Capsule. I would like to leave the Time Capsule, printer & iMac in their current location (in the study). And have the new U-Verse modem box next to the TV (in the family room) for internet video streaming capability via a cabled connection. Can I do this by keeping the Time Capsule where it is, and just plug an Airport Express module (i.e., the one already being used to extend the wireless signal to the family room) into the new U-Verse modem box? (n.b., I also have a NetQuakes seismograph in the garage that sends earthquake data via the wireless network.)

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Answer 5

Dec 20, 2010 1:42 PM in response to nootka

Sorry, you will need to connect the Time Capsule to the Uverse gateway using an ethernet connection. Think of the Uverse box as if it were a modem, (which it is, but it is also a router).

You will need to run an ethernet cable from one of the LAN <-> ports on the Uverse device to the WAN (circle icon) port on the Time Capsule.

If it is not possible to run an ethernet cable, you might take a look at a pair of ethernet powerline adapters to send a "pseudo" ethernet signal over your AC power lines from the Uverse to the Time Capsule. This would be "iffy", but might work. I haven't tried this, so can't say one way or the other.

Since the Uverse is a gateway, that means that you will need to change the setting for Connection Sharing on the Time Capsule to "Off (Bridge Mode)" to work correctly with the Uverse equipment.

Applications > Utilities > AirPort Utility > Manual Setup > Internet icon > Connection Sharing = Off (Bridge Mode)

Message was edited by: Bob Timmons

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Answer 6

Jan 13, 2011 8:54 PM in response to Bob Timmons

Thanks for this info - i have 10.5.8 and i have my time capsule hooked to the "broadband" labeled ethernet port on the u-verse modem/router via the (circle) WAN port...
when I run airport utility it does not find my time capsule device so I am unable to do the next steps with manual setup...I do see my Time Capsule network when I click my airport icon in the upper right...I am surprised that my airport card can see it but airport utility cannot. Also tried it changing the ethernet cord to a "local ethernet" port on the u-verse with same result. I do have green lights on both u-verse and TC.

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Answer 7

Jan 13, 2011 9:02 PM in response to Blair Hatch

Try connecting an ethernet cable from your computer to one of the LAN <-> ports on the Time Capsule. Restart both the computer and Time Capsule, then see if the Time Capsule will appear in AirPort Utility so that you can configure it.

If that won't work, you'll need to "hard reset" the Time Capsule by holding in the reset button until the amber light begins to blink more quickly. Keep holding the reset button in when this occurs for another 4-5 seconds, then release.

Open AirPort Utility again and the Time Capsule should appear. You'll need to reconfigure the settings again on the Time Capsule but your backups will not be affected by the reset and reconfiguration.

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Answer 8

nootka Author

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Jan 31, 2011 5:11 PM in response to Bob Timmons

Okay. My Time Capsule is now connected to the Uverse gateway via ethernet cable. However, its light keeps flipping from green to blinking amber. And when I try diagnose the issue via Airport Utility, the complaint is that the TC is not seeing the WDS network. (n.b., I have one Airport Express module attached to a printer, one Airport Express module attached to the stereo to stream iTunes, and one Airport Express module to extend the wireless network to the far end of the house.) My question is whether I need to re-initialize the WDS network. (Even though Airport Utility usually sees all the modules, it does not seem to be extending the network throughout the house anymore.) And also, the Uverse router uses WPA security whereas the TC wireless network is using WPA2 security. Do I need to change one of them, so they're both the same? Thx.

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Answer 9

Jan 31, 2011 6:11 PM in response to nootka

My question is whether I need to re-initialize the WDS network

Are all of your Apple devices newer 802.11n versions? If yes, you would want to use the "extend a wireless network" setup, not WDS.

WDS would be used if you have a mix of newer "n" devices and older "b/g" Apple devices. If you do use WDS, it must be setup on all of your Apple products that act as a base station, relay, or remote.

Message was edited by: Bob Timmons

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Answer 10

nootka Author

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Feb 4, 2011 12:10 PM in response to Bob Timmons

No, we have a mix of 802.11g & 802.11n devises, so it looks like I will need to use the WDS option.

Two additional questions: (1) with the TC connected via ethernet to the 2Wire 'gateway' in 'bridge' mode, and functioning as the 'main' base station -- can I 'create' a (Apple) WDS network rather than 'participate' in a (2Wire) network? (2) Can I use an Airport Express device in 'relay' mode and also use it to stream AirTunes to the stereo? Or does 'relay' mode only work to pass wireless signal along?

I'm also wondering if the 2Wire device & the TC should have the same password and security (WPA2), so the NetQuakes seismograph in the garage can 'see' the internet through both devices. But perhaps a question for another day...

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Answer 11

Feb 4, 2011 12:27 PM in response to nootka

No, we have a mix of 802.11g & 802.11n devises, so it looks like I will need to use the WDS option

Yes, this is your only option here.

can I 'create' a (Apple) WDS network rather than 'participate' in a (2Wire) network?

Maybe I am mistaken, but I sense that you may be thinking that you can somehow combine the 2 Wire and Apple networks together in a WDS setup. This is not possible since they are not compatible for this purpose.

You will configure the main Apple router to "participate in a WDS network". There is no other way to set it up if you want to use WDS. It will be configured as the "main base station" in the setup.

You could leave the 2Wire network "as is" and use it for guests or some other purpose. There is some concern though about having different networks in close proximity due to likely interference effects between the devices.

(2) Can I use an Airport Express device in 'relay' mode and also use it to stream AirTunes to the stereo?

Yes

I'm also wondering if the 2Wire device & the TC should have the same password and security (WPA2), so the NetQuakes seismograph in the garage can 'see' the internet through both devices. But perhaps a question for another day...

OK to use the same WPA2 Security, but having the same password for two distinct networks may cause some confusion.

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Answer 12

nootka Author

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Feb 23, 2011 11:08 AM in response to Bob Timmons

I have now re-assembled the Apple WDS (WPA2) wireless network by first restoring the three Airport Express devices by to their ‘factory default settings’, and connecting the Time Capsule to the 2WIRE modem (in bridge mode) via ethernet. I am subscribing to an AT&T DSL upload speed of 18 Mbps. With the 2010 MBP (and no other computers active) connected to the Time Capsule via ethernet -- the speed is 17.0 Mbps. In the same spot via Apple wireless it’s 16.7 (not bad). However, 2 rooms away (near the relay Airport Express module) it’s 10.9 Mbps, and further away (near either of the remote Airport Express modules) it’s below 3.0 Mbps. So I’m wondering two things: (1) is the 2WIRE wireless interfering with the Apple one? Should they be using different channels?; and (2) Are the relay & remote modules not generating a strong enough wireless signal? Or are they not configured correctly? (i.e., should the remotes only be listed as WDS remotes under the relay module, and not be listed as WDS remotes under the Time Capsule?)

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Answer 13

Feb 23, 2011 11:40 AM in response to nootka

Forum expert Tesserax has posted an excellent guide for setting up a WDS using a "main", "relay" and "remote". See this link:

http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=2422028&tstart=0

The Time Capsule would be your "main" device in this type of setup.

I also noticed that Apple has posted a new guide for the various types of WDS setups, but have not had a chance to study this in depth. There might be some good info in here as well:

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4145

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Answer 14

nootka Author

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Mar 15, 2011 5:38 PM in response to Bob Timmons

Okay. I think I've muddled through (n.b., for 'novices' -- there are a few items missing from Tesserax' instructions) and managed to set-up a WDS network with a main base station, a relay, and a remote that reaches to the back of the house. If I understand correctly, that means the best Mbps I'll see is 25% of the 18 Mbps we subscribe to (haven't tested this yet). I did swap out one Express module with a new one -- as it seemed that the existing one was failing (kept dropping iTunes/stereo connection). So now all airport devices are the 'n' variety, even though the WDS setup restricts us to 'g' speeds -- as one laptop (ca. 2005 powerbook) requires g. And we have a new NetQuakes seismograph in the garage -- as the previous one had a faulty wireless card. The new one is connecting to the WDS network without difficulty. So many separate threads to unravel. Thanks for your help! The only thing left is to activate the wireless capability of our Canon printer...

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Answer 15

Mar 15, 2011 10:08 PM in response to nootka

If I understand correctly, that means the best Mbps I'll see is 25% of the 18 Mbps we subscribe to (haven't tested this yet).

No, you will have 25% of the original 54 Mbps capability of the "g" wireless network, not the internet connection. So, if you have a good wireless connection and signal strength, the wireless network will support up to about 13-14 Mbps bandwidth.

You should be OK with your internet connection. It's wireless backups and file transfers that will take forever unless you can use ethernet.

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