Can I just use Time Capsule for backup and printers?

The best way is simply bridge the TC and turn off wireless. Plug it into the main router. It will then be fully accessible to the existing network. It simply adds a network client with hdd. The printer can be used if USB and plugged into the TC.. but if the printer is wireless network capable then it should be used directly to the network.. Network printers are far superior to messing with USB.. and nowadays a new printer costs two sets of ink or toners.

If you create a separate network with the TC, then you will not have backup concurrent with internet access and you will have to deliberately swap over constantly. You cannot use two different wireless networks simultaneously without having 2 separate wireless cards in every computer that uses it. And even that requires a fair amount of setup.

Stick to a single flat network in your house.. anything more is just adding unnecessary complications.

Describe your current network.. what modem.. router.. broadband type.

What you want to do??

TC is a now a fairly smartly priced box.. (The 2TB I mean.. the 3TB is way overpriced) you will find it hard to find something better at the price. Doing backups with the MBP you don't really want to use a disk you have to plug in.. so network is plainly the way to go. You can buy cheaper single disk NAS that will work.. but apple have the pricing spot on... and most simple routers with USB disks don't work.

You sort of have to mess, if you are going to accomplish what you want.. but you don't have to change anything.. bridge the TC, tunr off its wireless, and plug it into a router by ethernet.. find one anywhere and plug it in.. if it appears on your system you got the right place to plug it in.. if not plug it in somewhere else.. it doesn't matter if it is on a different floor.. you will just access it via existing wireless.

Printer is a rather more complicated thing.. I would almost say just go and buy a wireless network printer.. for the cost of two sets of ink or a couple of toner cartidges you can get a proper network printer. USB plugged into the TC can be more pain than gain. Go for it if you want to try but do not expect easy.. especially if the time and experience is missing.

Or if you are time stretched call in a computer tech.. think of the whole thing as a washing machine. There is nothing wrong with handing the task off to a poorly paid tech.. as we all are.

1.) Turn on Time Capsule

2.) The Mac should recognize it. If it does not, cable it to your router

3.) In the time capsule preferences that come up on the Mac, select the option that lets you connect your Time Capsule to your existing wireless network

4.) Enter your wireless network settings/follow other instructions on screen

Done

Do you have to keep it cabled to the router after it's set up? And how would I go about cabling it in the first place-the Time Capsule only came with the power cord?

photogrl2020@gmail.com wrote:

Do you have to keep it cabled to the router after it's set up? And how would I go about cabling it in the first place-the Time Capsule only came with the power cord?

Yes, if you want to use it in the network. Running dual networks is too hard.. ie you have to change wireless connections everytime you need to print.

TC does not come with ethernet patch cable.. go to any big computer store and buy a few of the color and length you need.. they should only cost a few dollars. (Pounds, Shekels, Pesos, Lira, Ringgit.. etc).