"Time Capsule and Verizon FiOS"

I tried setting up the time capsule connected via an ethernet cable in its WAN to the FIOS modem's LAN port, but the amber light kept flashing and now airport can't even recognize the TC?

santeezi03 has good advice for you.

Post back if you need a step-by-step guide to configure your TC with FIOS router.

I am having a similar problem if anyone knows how to address, I am trying to connect the Time Capsule to the Veizion ActionTec M1424. In conversations with Apple support, we can't seem to get any IP addresses except at 169. xxxx which they say will not work.

Anyone experience similar problems?

1) Please verify that you have tested the Ethernet cable to make sure that it is working properly

2) Connect the Ethernet cable from one of the LAN <-> ports on the Verizon gateway to the WAN port (circle of dots icon) on the Time Capsule

Now, what service do you want for the Time Capsule to perform on your network?

Backups only over the Verizon wireless network?

Or, do you want the Time Capsule to provide a dual band wireless network? If yes, do you plan to turn the current wireless network provided by the Verizon gateway "off", to minimize the chances of wireless interference between two networks?

Bob,

Thank you so very much for your detailed reply. You quicly identified one problem for me. Apple had told me to connect to the WAN port of the Verizon gateway. Looks like a mistake. When I connect to the LAN port as you suggest, it looks like it wants to work but limits my options to operating as either a bridge or something else. I've paused to wait for further guidance!

I would like to take advantage of the full functionality of the Timecapsule, and not use it just to back up so happy to turn off the verizon gateway if that makes sense. If keeping the verizon gateway on doesn't restrict the performance of the Timecapsule, then I'm equally happy to keep it on.

How do you suggest I proceed?

Thanks and best regards.

Tom Green

When I connect to the LAN port as you suggest, it looks like it wants to work but limits my options to operating as either a bridge or something else.

Bridge Mode is correct since the Verizon gateway must function as the main router on your network.

I would like to take advantage of the full functionality of the Timecapsule,

I am not sure at this point what settings have been programmed into the Time Capsule, so it will be necessary to check some settings.

Check as follows by opening AirPort Utility - Manual Setup for the Time Capsule

Click the Time Capsule tab located just below the row of icons to make sure that you have a name for the Time Capsule, a device password, and have adjusted Time Zone settings

Then click the Wireless tab next to the Time Capsule tab. Main settings to check are:

Wireless Mode = Create a wireless network

Wireless Network Name = The name that you have assigned to the network

Radio Mode = Automatic

Channel = Automatic

Security = WPA2 Personal

Wireless Password = The password that you want to use to connect to the wireless network

Confirm Password

Click the Internet icon, then click the Internet Connection tab

Connect Using = Ethernet

Connection Sharing = Off (Bridge Mode)

Update to save settings and allow 25-30 seconds for the Time Capsule to restart

Then power off all devices on the entire network....Verizon gateway, Time Capsule, computers, etc....order is not important

Wait a minute

Start the Verizon device first and let it run for a full minute by itself

Start the Time Capsule the same way

Continue starting devices one at a time in any order about a minute apart

You should now be able to log on to the new wireless network that is being provided by the Time Capsule

You will need to contact Verizon for instructions on turning the wireless network off on the gateway device. This may or may not be needed since wireless interference issues cannot be predicted in advance.

Bob. U seem to have an in on the workings of both FIOS and Apple time Capsule. May i indulge with the following?

Which has enjoyed best response

1) using FIOS as Main router and time capsule as "repeater". ...or

2) using FIOS as "bridge" and having TC as main network router?

Needs: need to have TC back up network peripherals

Need to have TC as network hard drive backup

Need to install Airport Express as TC (wifi) repeater in back yard

Everything IMac , iPad , iPhone, MacAir , HP Envy printer...all work on TC backup and wifi router capability

with this being all new equipment and most updated....pray tell which is best configuration of 'my network'

FIOS > (wan or LAN ?) > TC (wan) > Ethernet out: IMac/Airport Express/D-Link Switch

Which is better used as a 'bridge' and giving superior signal service?

Hope u are up to the challenge

Chrisfromcloster

My Ethernet chain runs from a Verizon ActionTec M1424 to the nearby TC router and from there to an eight-port hub. The TC's address is 192.168.1.2 and the base address is 192.168.1.1. Everything is in bridge mode, including a first generation TC in the (distant) family room. There are also three wireless AirPort Express units that act either as repeaters or as music links. I also employ a modest Netgear powerline service. The entire extensive wireless setup (e.g. iphone, iPad, etc.) runs encrypted on 192.168.1.xx.

It has been working quite well. Now VZ is offerring to triple my speed to 150MB, but I'm reluctant to let an unproven technician with a new VZ gizmo in hand anywhere near this setup. It would require disabling the FiOS wireless service, which can be tricky unless you know what you are doing.

It looks like ajglass is going to be your best resource here, (I have not used FiOS in some time) so I would recommend that you consider his advice.

Honestly, all these comments are all great information but I would never setup my Time Capsule with those configurations.

First, tell me what you goal is for the Time Capsule. Obviously that device is not cheap, it's worth up to $300-400.

If you would like the Time Capsule to do wireless Time Machine backups or to be in charge of your wireless network (basically to be your main router), you have to contact Verizon (your ISP) and have them disable the wireless mode on the ActionTec router.

Your Time Capsule will have a Double NAT status with flashing amber light. You can simply tell Airport Utility to ignore that status and your Time Capsule will go green.

Turning off FIOS router (disaster instructions from Verizon )... Inconclusive...erroneous

Kindly verbally map your recommended connections and TC configuration including peripherals and necessary FIOS router configuration . You think ajglass set up is inefficient? Look forward to your mapping and configuration Best

Well, I'm not sure how well Verizon nows the routers they give. I would contact the manufacturer (usually ActionTec) for the best support.

As luck might have it, I did work with a neighbor yesterday who asked for some help on his Fios setup.

We did nothing to the Fios router and left it "as is" and configured my friend's Time Capsule in Bridge Mode exactly the same as I detailed in the Jan 10 post above. I am not a fan of Double NAT, and feel that it should be avoided if possible.

Why have two devices on the network both trying to provide DHCP and NAT services, if you can have one providing this service?

This allowed the Time Capsule to provide a dual band wireless network, with backup capability for his two Macs.

I had a "new" AirPort Express with me to test and it was a snap to configure it to "Extend" the wireless network that was being provided by the Time Capsule. Took maybe 2 minutes and a few mouse clicks.

Frankly, I see no value in trying to reinvent the wheel by modifying the Fios gateway to work as a "bridge" while the Time Capsule functions as the "main" router.

I think this just might be one of those types of situations where the fact that you can do something does not necessarily mean that you should.

True, you do pick up a Guest Network function this way, but if you need a guest network, why not use the Fios wireless for that purpose and make the Time Capsule the "private" network?

If you do not need the "guest" function, it is a simple matter to turn off the wireless function on the Fios gateway without affecting anything else. Just enter the default IP address for the Fios gateway into your browser to start the process.

So, my vote here is to keep things as simple as possible....almost always the best strategy on any network....and fully supported by Fios.....who would likely not be thrilled at the prospect of having to offer support on a setup that they do not understand.

To review:

When the Actiontec router is installed, have the Verizon tech turn off its wireless services.

The router will then have a base address of 192.168.1.1

The Time Capsule router mode should be set to "off" and in bridge mode.

The Time Capsule IP address will be 192.168.1.2

Use only one ethernet cable. It should run from anyone of the four VZ LAN sockets to the TC WAN socket.

All other wireless and ethernet devices should automatically load as 192.168.1.x.

- Andy

My thanks to everyone on this thread. This has been the most helpful single thread I have ever read on these boards. I have the exact same issue as the OP and after 5 minutes of reading responses I was able to get my new network up and running. Thanks All!

Thank you for your message, I am pleased that I could be of help.