How to setup TC with ethernet to existing router.

Question

Level 1

83 points

How to setup TC with ethernet to existing router.

Hi,

What I am trying to do is use TC strictly as a backup device for time machine.

I am trying to do the follwoing setup.

I want to connect tc to my wireless router using ethernet cable(so my time machine backups do not take days). After doing this, Airport utility will only recognize the TC if my mac has WIFI enabled. How do I force it such the TC is only using the ethernet and not WIFI.

Thanks and I look forward to your reply.

...Bruce

2TB 4th gen Time Capsule-OTHER, Mac OS X (10.7.3)

Posted on Dec 7, 2012 11:00 AM

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Answer 1

Kappy

Level 10

361,741 points

Dec 7, 2012 11:03 AM in response to BGmail

You need to configure the Time Capsule for Bridge Mode. AirPort Utility 5.1 Help- Setting up your base station as a bridge

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Answer 2

BGmail Author

Level 1

83 points

Dec 7, 2012 11:44 AM in response to Kappy

Thanks for the help Kappy.

By the way the link you supplied is not correct. Here is the link. http://support.apple.com/kb/PH5104

I am not familair with the bridging concept. So...I just hardwire the TC into the router and then configure based on the instructions in the link? And Mac OS X will just take care of the rest.

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Answer 3

Kappy

Level 10

361,741 points

Dec 7, 2012 11:53 AM in response to BGmail

Sorry for the bad link. If you want to set the device into Bridge Mode then you have to run an Ethernet cable from the Time Capsule to one of the open LAN ports on your regular router, then set the Time Capsule to Join an existing network. A better solution is simply replace your old router with the Time Capsule.

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Answer 4

BGmail Author

Level 1

83 points

Dec 7, 2012 11:59 AM in response to Kappy

I am starting to think maybe I should use the TC as a router. My concern for doing this is I want to get faster performance for my TM backups. Do you think hard wiring the TC to my iMac will result in faster TM performance?

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Answer 5

Kappy

Level 10

361,741 points

Dec 7, 2012 12:09 PM in response to BGmail

No, it won't be any faster. You run an Ethernet cable from the WAN port on the Time Capsule. Then connect the computer to the Time Capsule via an Ethernet cable from one of the three LAN ports. This will give you optimum Ethernet performance for the computer.

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Answer 6

BGmail Author

Level 1

83 points

Dec 7, 2012 12:56 PM in response to Kappy

Let me see if I am understanding this correctly.

I would run an ethernet cable from WAN port on TC to cable modem.Then I would connect ethernet cable from LAN port to iMac.

Now how would i configure Airport Utility for this setup?

And this hard wiring would not make it any faster?

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Answer 7

Kappy

Level 10

361,741 points

Dec 7, 2012 1:13 PM in response to BGmail

Use it in its factory default state. I'm assuming you will have removed the router currently connected to your cable modem. If you actually have a modem/gateway-router, then you cannot replace that router with the Time Capsule as a router.

Ethernet is just faster than wireless. It doesn't make any difference how you connect the computer by Ethernet into your network. The speed difference is moving from wireless to Ethernet.

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Answer 8

BGmail Author

Level 1

83 points

Dec 8, 2012 7:17 AM in response to Kappy

Kappy Thanks for your help. I am using the TC as my router and it is working great! All is good now.

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Answer 9

Kappy

Level 10

361,741 points

Dec 8, 2012 9:12 AM in response to BGmail

Great!!!! 😀

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Answer 10

Rey0001

Level 1

8 points

Dec 9, 2012 7:42 PM in response to Kappy

Hi, I'm actually researching to see if a TC will be a good choice for my configuration, I have the following hardware:

Alcatel 3Ve.A2010TEL VDSL Modem
Linksys EA4500 router
iMac (1TB HD)
MacBook Pro (500GB HD)
Mini Server (500GB HD)
MacBook (250GB HD)
MacBook Air (128GB Flash)
2 PCs with Windows 7 (250GB HD)
1 Wireless Laser Printer
2 iPad
4 iPhone 5

The iMac, and Mini have external backup disc for Time Machine, but there is not enough capacity for their backups. So I want to know if a 3TB Time Capsul will be a solution for my setup, and if replacing my Linksys EA4500 router is needed or if runing the TC in Bridge mode will do.

Please any suggestion will be helpful before I invest purchasing the TC.

Thanks a lot,

Reinaldo Varela

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