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kimfromharrison township
Level 1 (4 points)
iLife

Q: Time Capsule

I have a time capsule and bought an Airport Express to extend the wireless network. I am confused... does it plug into the Time Capsule? And if so, how would it extend the network if it's in the same location as the Time Capsule?

iPad 2, Sync's with MacBook Air

Posted on May 17, 2013 10:00 AM

by LaPastenague,Solvedanswer
LaPastenague LaPastenague
Level 9 (52,984 points)
Wireless
A:

kimfromharrison township wrote:

 

Let me restate... Does the airport express plug into the time capsule?

Does it plug into the internet modem? Does it plug in to just an electrical outlet?

There are two methods.

 

You can plug in by ethernet.. that is called roaming network.

 

See info here.

 

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4260

 

If you want the wireless to improve in an area far away from TC.. you need a long long ethernet.

 

Or you can wireless repeat.

When you said extend wireless .. that is the technical term Apple use for setting up wireless repeater.

 

You simply plug the express into a power outlet near where you need signal.. and able to get decent signal from the TC.. then follow Bob's setup. No network cabling is involved.. but it does slow the wireless network a lot.

 

That is the corresponding apple doco for extend wireless.

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4259

 

Sorry I didn't mean to jump into Bob's help .. makes it confusing getting advice from two different people.

Posted on May 17, 2013 2:17 PM

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kimfromharrison township

Q: Time Capsule

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  • Helpful answers

  • by Bob Timmons,

    Bob Timmons Bob Timmons May 17, 2013 10:25 AM in response to kimfromharrison township
    Level 10 (105,388 points)
    Wireless
    May 17, 2013 10:25 AM in response to kimfromharrison township

    The AirPort Express can extend the signal from the Time Capsule wirelessly.  Is that what you want?

     

    I assume that the Time Capsule is providing a wireless signal now, correct?

     

    What operating system is running on the MacBook Air?  If you are not sure, click the Apple icon in the upper left corner of the screen and then click About This Mac. Post back with the OS X Version number that you see there.

     

    The AirPort Expess is new, and has not been configured yet, correct?

  • by kimfromharrison township,

    kimfromharrison township kimfromharrison township May 17, 2013 1:15 PM in response to Bob Timmons
    Level 1 (4 points)
    iLife
    May 17, 2013 1:15 PM in response to Bob Timmons

    The time capsule is, version 7.6.3. I have had it for a few years. My MacBook Air is 10.8.3. The AirPort Express is new and still in the box..

     

    I am looking to extend my internet access into my backyard.

  • by Bob Timmons,

    Bob Timmons Bob Timmons May 17, 2013 1:33 PM in response to kimfromharrison township
    Level 10 (105,388 points)
    Wireless
    May 17, 2013 1:33 PM in response to kimfromharrison township

    We can help to get the AirPort Express setup for you, but cannot guarantee that the signal will reach into the back yard. That will depend on the number of walls, ceilings, or other obstuctions in the signal path between the Time Capsule and AirPort Express, and the AirPort Express and the outside area.

     

    Remember that an outside wall on a typical home will absorb about half of the wireless signal.

     

    For now, locate the AirPort Express near the outside wall that faces the back yard. Try to minimize obstructions between the Time Capsule and AirPort Express.  Line of sight is ideal.

     

    Power up the AirPort Express and let it run a full minute.

     

    On your Mac, click the AirPort icon at the top of the screen

    Wait a few seconds for a listing of New AirPort Base Station to appear

    Just below that, click directly on AirPort Express

     

     

    New AirPort Base Station.png

     

    AirPort Setup will open automatically and take a minute to analyze the network, then will announce that the AirPort Express will be configured to "extend" the Time Capsule network.

     

    Enter a device name that you want to use for the AirPort Express (I use AirPort Express) and then click Next

     

    AirPort Setup will take another minute to configure everything. When you see the message of Setup Complete, click Done

     

    Now try things out. You may need to experiment with different locations for the AirPort Express for best results. Good luck!

  • by LaPastenague,

    LaPastenague LaPastenague May 17, 2013 1:53 PM in response to kimfromharrison township
    Level 9 (52,984 points)
    Wireless
    May 17, 2013 1:53 PM in response to kimfromharrison township

     

    I am looking to extend my internet access into my backyard.

    Just to add to Bob..

     

    Glass is transparent to microwaves.. that is why your microwave oven has a piece of metal mesh behind the glass. If you put the express in a window or via a glass door that looks on the outside area you are trying to cover it will work heaps better.

     

    In Australia we now insulate our walls with a material that is foil coated. Any metallic barrier will effectively block microwave transmission.

     

    Using a proper outside AP is an alternative. You may need to consider a different approach ie run ethernet to an AP located on the outside wall or under the eaves. But it can be done very neatly.

    A pair of old airport extreme.. G model.. the discus ones.. can do a very nice job of this, if you don't need the speed of N. I have done setup like that.. a pair of G extreme... cost a few dollars on ebay. Plug one directly to the router as AP and the other in WDS mode sitting outside. The power output of these things puts the modern units to shame.

  • by kimfromharrison township,

    kimfromharrison township kimfromharrison township May 17, 2013 2:04 PM in response to Bob Timmons
    Level 1 (4 points)
    iLife
    May 17, 2013 2:04 PM in response to Bob Timmons

    Let me restate... Does the airport express plug into the time capsule?

    Does it plug into the internet modem? Does it plug in to just an electrical outlet?

  • by Bob Timmons,Helpful

    Bob Timmons Bob Timmons May 17, 2013 2:12 PM in response to kimfromharrison township
    Level 10 (105,388 points)
    Wireless
    May 17, 2013 2:12 PM in response to kimfromharrison township

    Let me restate... Does the airport express plug into the time capsule?

    Please see my previous response stating that the AirPort Express will connect to the Time Capsule wirelessly.

     

    If you want to call that "plugging in", you can, but normally "plugging in" refers to a wired connection between products.

     

    The Airport Express will need to connect to a wall socket for power.

  • by LaPastenague,Solvedanswer

    LaPastenague LaPastenague May 17, 2013 2:17 PM in response to kimfromharrison township
    Level 9 (52,984 points)
    Wireless
    May 17, 2013 2:17 PM in response to kimfromharrison township

    kimfromharrison township wrote:

     

    Let me restate... Does the airport express plug into the time capsule?

    Does it plug into the internet modem? Does it plug in to just an electrical outlet?

    There are two methods.

     

    You can plug in by ethernet.. that is called roaming network.

     

    See info here.

     

    http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4260

     

    If you want the wireless to improve in an area far away from TC.. you need a long long ethernet.

     

    Or you can wireless repeat.

    When you said extend wireless .. that is the technical term Apple use for setting up wireless repeater.

     

    You simply plug the express into a power outlet near where you need signal.. and able to get decent signal from the TC.. then follow Bob's setup. No network cabling is involved.. but it does slow the wireless network a lot.

     

    That is the corresponding apple doco for extend wireless.

    http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4259

     

    Sorry I didn't mean to jump into Bob's help .. makes it confusing getting advice from two different people.