How to connect to TC via eithernet

Question

How to connect to TC via eithernet

I have a TC which is used just as a wireless backup drive for Time Machine. It is normally connected to internet via wireless (I have a wireless router, and TC is just connected to it wirelessly, it is not used to create a new network or extend existing network). However, the time machine backups take forever over wireless. It is OK for incremental backups which happen every hour. These backups are small and happen in the background, and even if they take 10 minutes, it is no big deal. However, to backup for the first time would take over a week if done over wireless. Same if I ever need to restore a computer (say, I replace the hard drive) from TC. It would take forever.

The alternative is to connect TC via eithernet for that one time, to do the initial backup (and perhaps if ever need arises to restore the computer from TC). But I discovered that if I just plug in the ethernet cable into TC and my laptop (in addition to TC connected to the local wireless network as before), this does not speed up the backup. The only way to speed it up is, while keeping the ethernet cable plugged, to go to the airport utility and disable TC wireless all together. Then TC gets really unhappy and its orange light starts blinking, but now the laptop backups into TC very quickly, presumably via the ethernet cable.

The issue arises if, after the backup is over, I'd like to reconnect TC to wireless again (and unplug the ethernet cable). I discovered that if I go to the aiport utilty after backing up via ethernet the way I described, the option "connect to the wireless network" will completely disappear form the relevant menu. Only the option "extend the network" or "create new network" remain. The only way to reconnect to my wireless network after doing what I described above is to do a hard reset of TC, by pressing that little button on its back with a pointy object. While doing this does the trick, it does not appear to be the smoothest way to do what I want to do.

Is there a way to switch between wireless and ethernet connection between my laptop and TC without having to reset the TC each time?

MacBook Pro, Mac OS X (10.7.3)

Posted on Apr 1, 2012 9:55 PM

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Answer 1

John Galt

Level 10

156,722 points

Apr 1, 2012 10:08 PM in response to VictorGurarie

You're doing it the hard way. Just turn the MacBook's Wi-Fi "off" to force the Ethernet connection. Don't do anything with AirPort Utility or the Time Capsule.

You will not even have to turn the MBP's Wi-Fi "off" if you would simply change your Network Preferences.

Go to System Preferences > Network, and make it look like this:

To accomplish that, click the "gear" icon near the lower left and select "set service order". Drag Ethernet to the top. That way, if the computer sees that it has both a Wi-Fi connection as well as Ethernet, it will give preference to Ethernet.

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Answer 2

Apr 1, 2012 10:08 PM in response to VictorGurarie

Basically the answer is no, in your current setup.. When you choose to join a wireless network, the TC shuts off the ethernet ports. So to get the ethernet ports working you have to fundamentally change the way the TC works..

A much better way to do this..

Set the TC to bridge and plug it by ethernet into the main wireless router you have running. You will still be able to backup and access the TC over the normal network.. actually at twice the speed that you connected before.

You can also plug in via ethernet any time you want.

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Answer 3

John Galt

Level 10

156,722 points

Apr 1, 2012 10:18 PM in response to John Galt

By the way LaPastenague is correct, if the TC "joins" your wireless network its Ethernet ports are unavailable. So configure the TC that way in addition to setting your network service order as in the above.

Better yet just make it your router. Your present configuration is less than ideal.

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Answer 4

Apr 1, 2012 10:22 PM in response to John Galt

OK, this sounds like a good advice. I will try it and see what happens.

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Answer 5

Apr 2, 2012 8:00 AM in response to John Galt

To John Galt: OK, I tested what you suggested (switching off macbook's wifi) and it does not work (TC disappears from the list of available drives). That is even though the macbook reports ethernet as working, when connected to TC while TC is wirelessly connected to the network. So LaPastenague must be right.

Yes, changing my current setup might be helpful. But I have a very powerful router I used for a while and I like it a lot. I don't want to replace it with TC. I also have a desktop connected via ethernet to that router so it's ethernet port is already taken. But I am going to try LaPastenague's setup to see if it works. What does it mean "to bridge"? To extend the existing network?

Frankly, it would've been so much better if TC also had a firewire port which would allow to connect directly to the drive on some occasions. Or a working USB port - my understanding is that the USB port included does not allow to talk to the drive. Too bad they didn't put it in.

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Answer 6

Apr 2, 2012 1:03 PM in response to VictorGurarie

What does it mean "to bridge"? To extend the existing network?

Frankly, it would've been so much better if TC also had a firewire port which would allow to connect directly to the drive on some occasions. Or a working USB port - my understanding is that the USB port included does not allow to talk to the drive. Too bad they didn't put it in.

Bridge the TC takes out its routing function.. it becomes a dumb or dumber network device.. ie it has an IP plus 4 gigabit ports plus wireless with a hard disk inside.

Open airport utility, manual setup. Go to the internet tab, connection sharing.. off bridged mode. Apply.

The TC will now need to plug in via ethernet.. there is no longer a wan port but it is still convenient to use wan port and plug into existing router via ethernet. The TC is a dhcp device and will get an IP from the main router and be available to your network.

You can plug in via ethernet or directly to the TC wireless and it will act as relay to the main router, so internet will be available. You can decide if you want to leave wireless on or turn it off. Sometimes it is useful to leave it on. You can then set wireless to roam.. if you have enough space between them.. same ssid (wireless name) same security setting and password but use different channels.. do not leave it on auto ... especially both boxes on auto. Lock one or the other.. preferably both.

There is a lot of things Apple could have done with the TC.. there was huge expectation at the last release. Totally destroyed. IMHO Apple see Cloud as the future, not local storage at all.. so I am not expecting any great improvement. If you want firewire.. just buy firewire.. they are more expensive than usb and more than likely a standard that will disappear in the not too distant future.. PC world is going USB3 and esata.. Apple has thunderbolt.. so I don't know that firewire has any future.

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