HT204617: Wi-Fi base stations: Setting up and configuring an extended wireless network (802.11n)

Learn about Wi-Fi base stations: Setting up and configuring an extended wireless network (802.11n)
Cees Loppersum
Level 1 (0 points)

Q: This article is outdated (as well as others). I have Airport Extreme (latest) and Time Capsule (earlier version) and newest Airport Utility version.

I have difficulty in setting up the newest Airport Extreme with Time Capsule. How to wire Time Capsule over ethernet is so confusing and the documentation I found is outdated.

Mac mini, iOS 6.1.4

Posted on Jul 23, 2013 1:07 AM

by Bob Timmons,Solvedanswer
Bob Timmons Bob Timmons
Level 10 (105,198 points)
Wireless
A:
Just one last question: as you said, I could connect the Mac to the Time Capsule using the Ethernet cable.

 

You can do this if you want.

 

I would like to do this because I'm thinking that this will increase speed.

That's correct assuming that everything else is working correctly since Gigabit Ethernet is faster than wireless.

Posted on Jul 23, 2013 10:40 PM

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Cees Loppersum

Q: This article is outdated (as well as others). I have Airport Extreme (latest) and Time Capsule (earlier version) and newest Airpor ... more

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  • by Bob Timmons,

    Bob Timmons Bob Timmons Jul 23, 2013 6:45 AM in response to Cees Loppersum
    Level 10 (105,198 points)
    Wireless
    Jul 23, 2013 6:45 AM in response to Cees Loppersum

    If you are running Lion or Mountain Lion on your Mac(s) then Apple's documentation is indeed a few years out of date.

     

    The process to set up devices is now so easy that it is hard to understand why Apple Support hasn't updated things.

     

    I have difficulty in setting up the newest Airport Extreme with Time Capsule

     

    Which device is your "main" router?

     

    Is the main device operating correctly now?

     

    We assume that you want to connect the other device to the main router using a permanent wired Ethernet connection, and have it extend the main network. Is that correct?

  • by Cees Loppersum,

    Cees Loppersum Cees Loppersum Jul 23, 2013 7:19 AM in response to Bob Timmons
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jul 23, 2013 7:19 AM in response to Bob Timmons

    Hi Bob,

    Thanks... looks like you're asking the right questions!

    I'm relatively new to Apple (apart from iPhones en iPad). My Mac Mini is new, so I am still figuring things out.

    As to your questions:

    1. Airport Extreme (the latest model) is the main router.

    2. It is operating correctly.

    3. And yes, I'd like for the Time Capsule to use the permanent wired Ethernet as if it were a normal router. It works using wireless, but Ethernet just does not seem to work.

    4. Then, the idea is to have fast Ethernet and full wireless coverage in my home-office. Wherever I am.

    I'm not sure if the forums means of communicating supports pictures, but if it does, I can send some.

    Cheers,

    Cees.

     

    By pictures I meant: screenshots of Airport Utility (not mine...)

  • by Bob Timmons,

    Bob Timmons Bob Timmons Jul 23, 2013 7:35 AM in response to Cees Loppersum
    Level 10 (105,198 points)
    Wireless
    Jul 23, 2013 7:35 AM in response to Cees Loppersum

    OK, thanks for the clarification.

     

    Disconnect the Ethernet cable if it is plugged into the Time Capsule at this time.

     

    With the Time Capsule powered on, hold in the reset button on the back of the device for 9-10 seconds and then release. Allow a full minute for the Time Capsule to restart to a slow, blinking amber light.

     

    This will not affect any backups that you might have already stored on the Time Capsule.

     

    Connect the Ethernet cable to the WAN "O" port on the Time Capsule. I assume that you have tested the Ethernet cable independently to make sure that it is working correctly.

     

    Click the AirPort icon at the top of the Mac's screen and wait a few seconds for a listing of New AirPort Base Station to appear. Just below that, click directly on Time Capsule.  The screenshot below shows an AirPort Express.....you will see Time Capsule on your screen.

     

     

    New AirPort Base Station.png

     

     

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

     

    Enter a device name that you want to use for the Time Capsule. You can use the same name that you used before, then click Next.

     

    Now AirPort Setup will indicate that the Time Capsule is being configured to extend using Ethernet. When you see the message of Setup Complete, click Done.  That's it.

  • by Cees Loppersum,

    Cees Loppersum Cees Loppersum Jul 23, 2013 8:08 AM in response to Bob Timmons
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jul 23, 2013 8:08 AM in response to Bob Timmons

    Right, I'll do this. My Mac is right besides the Time Capsule. Now the Ethernet cable is in the Mac. What do I do first? What you've suggested I do and then connect the Mac to the Time Capsule? Or do both things at the same time?

    Cees.

  • by Cees Loppersum,

    Cees Loppersum Cees Loppersum Jul 23, 2013 8:37 AM in response to Cees Loppersum
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jul 23, 2013 8:37 AM in response to Cees Loppersum

    Did as yu suggested. This is the message I got???

    2013-07-23_17-29-08.jpg

  • by Bob Timmons,Helpful

    Bob Timmons Bob Timmons Jul 23, 2013 9:33 AM in response to Cees Loppersum
    Level 10 (105,198 points)
    Wireless
    Jul 23, 2013 9:33 AM in response to Cees Loppersum

    Sorry, I am not understanding what you want to accomplish here.

     

    You indicated that you wanted to wire the Time Capsule over Ethernet from the AirPort Extreme, correct?

     

    I'd like for the Time Capsule to use the permanent wired Ethernet as if it were a normal router

     

    That would mean that you have an Ethernet cable connecting from one of the LAN <-> ports on the AirPort Extreme to the WAN "O" port on the Time Capsule.

     

    You do not need to connect your Mac to the Time Capsule using an Ethernet cable, as AirPort Setup will use wireless to configure the Time Capsule.

     

    Later on, you can connect your Mac to the Time Capsule using an Ethernet cable if you wish. But, for the setup, you will need to make sure that the wireless is turned on at your Mac.

     

    Or....maybe you really mean that you want to have a wireless connection between the AirPort Extreme and Time Capsule?

     

    Please clarify on how the AirPort Exterme and Time Capsule will connect together.  Wired....or....Wireless?

  • by Cees Loppersum,

    Cees Loppersum Cees Loppersum Jul 23, 2013 10:16 PM in response to Bob Timmons
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jul 23, 2013 10:16 PM in response to Bob Timmons

    Hi,

    Yes to wire Time Capsule over the Ethernet from Airport Extreme.

    Yes again for the cabling.

    I removed the cable from Time Capsule to Mac.

    I then checked the Wireless Icon button. This is what happened: it was looking for the best connection and that was my printer. I had to choose Network (which I called Nostradamus). After I selected this, all went well. Time Capsule is now configured to extend the Network. My phones and iPad connect to it automatically! All lights are green, no more warnings about DHCP and NAT.

    Just one last question: as you said, I could connect the Mac to the Time Capsule using the Ethernet cable. I would like to do this because I'm thinking that this will increase speed. Maybe I'm wrong? But if you don't expect there will be a problem, then I'll do it after your feedback.

    In any case: your help is very much appreciated!

  • by Bob Timmons,Solvedanswer

    Bob Timmons Bob Timmons Jul 23, 2013 10:40 PM in response to Cees Loppersum
    Level 10 (105,198 points)
    Wireless
    Jul 23, 2013 10:40 PM in response to Cees Loppersum
    Just one last question: as you said, I could connect the Mac to the Time Capsule using the Ethernet cable.

     

    You can do this if you want.

     

    I would like to do this because I'm thinking that this will increase speed.

    That's correct assuming that everything else is working correctly since Gigabit Ethernet is faster than wireless.

  • by Cees Loppersum,

    Cees Loppersum Cees Loppersum Jul 23, 2013 10:44 PM in response to Bob Timmons
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jul 23, 2013 10:44 PM in response to Bob Timmons

    Hi,

    Working late aren't you? It's 7.40AM where I am (Netherlands),

    Anyway: I connected Mac via Ethernet cable to Time Capsule and everything is working properly. Great and thanks for your time and valuable advice.

    Cees.