I have a Speedstream Modem and AT&T DSL and Time Capsule

Is the speedstream set as router? Can you bridge it and use the TC alone?

My experience with speedstream is they do bridge very well but the procedure is painful, as you have to create a new vpi/vci channel and set it to bridge. If it is a fairly old modem I would definitely bridge it. This assumes you can use pppoe with your ISP. I am far far away and don't have dealing with AT&T,

To get access to the TC.. remove it from the network.. plug it by ethernet into a single computer.. with no other network connection.. if it doesn't show in airport utility.. press and hold the reset for at least 10sec until the led flashes rapidly.. proceed with the setup. Either bridge on the TC or bridge on the modem. Although the speedstream I have worked with do offer a true 1:1 Nat mode.. this is identical to DMZ.. and will also work well.

Once you have the TC setup and wireless working plug it back into the speedstream..

If it doesn't work tell us model speedstream.. if you have bridged it.

Tell us its ip address.. they have several default IP addresses so hard to know.

There is no modem in the TC.. apple do not make modems... therefore you cannot plug the phone line into it.. you must bridge the speedstream, assuming ISP offers pppoe authentication..

How to bridge your particular model of speedstream.. ?? Since you have supplied zero info and I can offer zero instructions. Just google "speedstream xyx bridge" There are usually easy to find specific instructions for each model.

Once you bridge the speedstream for which you will need a computer connected directly to it.. then plug the TC into the Speedstream and setup the internet tab to pppoe and put in your username and password for the ISP.

rosenst1 wrote:

So I have a Speedstream 5360 which is a modem AND a bridge; the question is how to switch, assuming it isn't already in "bridge" mode.

Yes, it looks like that model is a straight modem.. nearly unheard of nowadays.

It must be like from the ARK.. and Noah used it for internet.

http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,6409253

So just setup pppoe client on the TC.

rosenst1 wrote:

And how does one do that? I connected the TC to my laptop via Ethernet but it doesn't show in Airport utility; how else would one access it?

Press the reset and hold it in.. about 10sec until the led flashes fast.. then it will be back to factory.. access it via airport utility.. manual setup.. internet .. and selection connection pppoe.

rosenst1 wrote:

As an alternative, because I really don't want to use a laptop as a bridge, is it possible to do the following:

1) Keep my current DSL modem and internet access along with the existing wireless network.

2) Configure the TC as a wireless router and backup system without internet access as a second wireless network.

I think you misunderstood the intention.

I never expected you to bridge via the laptop.. merely to setup the TC in bridge mode.. once the TC is in bridge mode you can plug it into your old discus Airport.. if you don't want to use the TC properly as a router..

My suggestion is

1. reset the TC as the main router doing pppoe client to the speedstream..

Did you try that and it failed??

2. Set the TC to bridge.. plug the existing airport into the TC and use the TC as the switch and WAP for the network.. it will have better wireless than the old airport which is only G.. You can then use it to backup and get internet access.

Your suggestion of running the TC as a second router on wireless, will mean, everytime you want to backup you will need to swap wireless.. whilst backing up you will have no internet.. this is a pain and you will stop doing backups.

rosenst1 wrote:

So I tried this; reset sucessfully, selected manual mode, PPPoE, added a password for the device, Airport Utility said I had successfully updated the device but then it failed on restart (all while still connected by Ethernet to my laptop). Tried then plugging into the Flying Saucer put Airport Utility doesn't see it.

Thoughts?

You misunderstood.. LOL!! sorry ..

PPPoE it has to be connected directly to the speedstream. Remove the airport bubble.. and put the TC there..

Set the TC manual setup.. internet. choose connection type.. pppoe.. and put in your username and password. It must be plugged into speedstream to TC.. reboot the modem and the TC and see if you can pick up the ip.

If you connect to the airport bubble then the TC needs to be in bridge mode.. totally different.. but please try using the pppoe .. and completely remove the Airport.