HT201510: Setting up Time Capsule for the first time

Learn about Setting up Time Capsule for the first time
This discussion is locked
pyrotechnician
Level 1 (0 points)

Q: Time Capsule setup without router?

How do I setup TC without connecting to my router? I only want to use it as a wireless hard drive for Time Machine backups and to connect a printer for wireless printing.

Time Capsule 802.11n (4th Gen)

Posted on Sep 13, 2012 7:37 AM

by Bob Timmons,Solvedanswer
Bob Timmons Bob Timmons
Level 10 (105,433 points)
Wireless
A:

Unfortunately, Apple does not officially support this type of installation....for good reason.

 

It creates a "double hop" wireless situation for backups. The wireless signal must travel from your Mac to the wireless router....hop one....and then out again from the wireless router to the Time Capsule....hop two.

 

This doubles the chances of an error occuring, and also doubles the amount of time that it will take for a backup to complete. The Ethernet ports on the Time Capsule are not enabled in this type of setup, so you have no option to use a faster method for backups.

 

I would not recommend this type of installation. Having tried this a few times as an experiment, I can verify that it gives new meaning to the word S----L----O----W.

 

A 50 GB backup was scheduled to take 2+ days.  The same backup will take 2 hours using a wired Ethernet connection.

 

You do not mention what operating system you are using on your Mac, so we cannot say if it is even possible to configure the Time Capsule the way that you ask.  In general, the newer versions of AirPort Utility in Lion and Mountain Lion will not allow you to configure the Time Capsule this way...even if you decide to try.

Posted on Sep 13, 2012 8:32 AM

Close
pyrotechnician

Q: Time Capsule setup without router?

  • All replies
  • Helpful answers

  • by Bob Timmons,Solvedanswer

    Bob Timmons Bob Timmons Sep 13, 2012 8:32 AM in response to pyrotechnician
    Level 10 (105,433 points)
    Wireless
    Sep 13, 2012 8:32 AM in response to pyrotechnician

    Unfortunately, Apple does not officially support this type of installation....for good reason.

     

    It creates a "double hop" wireless situation for backups. The wireless signal must travel from your Mac to the wireless router....hop one....and then out again from the wireless router to the Time Capsule....hop two.

     

    This doubles the chances of an error occuring, and also doubles the amount of time that it will take for a backup to complete. The Ethernet ports on the Time Capsule are not enabled in this type of setup, so you have no option to use a faster method for backups.

     

    I would not recommend this type of installation. Having tried this a few times as an experiment, I can verify that it gives new meaning to the word S----L----O----W.

     

    A 50 GB backup was scheduled to take 2+ days.  The same backup will take 2 hours using a wired Ethernet connection.

     

    You do not mention what operating system you are using on your Mac, so we cannot say if it is even possible to configure the Time Capsule the way that you ask.  In general, the newer versions of AirPort Utility in Lion and Mountain Lion will not allow you to configure the Time Capsule this way...even if you decide to try.