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emil.husar
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Q: Airport Extreme + TimeCapsule  - Best config?

I've bought an AirPort Extreme to expand my network at home due to poor connections with my old TC.

My old TC occasionally kicks out several devices to my guest network.

 

I'm running an old Time Capsule with v.7.6.4 and i want to add an extra AirPort Extreme to get more speed for more clients.

Right now, i've got an Ethernet cable from my TC to my Extreme and it was set up as extension so it's all inside the same network.

 

What configuration is best for maximum speed?

 

I've got the following clients via wifi (Current connection speed)

1 MB Pro 13" running TimeMachine (243MB/s)

1 MB Pro 15" running TimeMachine (300MB/s)

1 Windows-PC (unknown)

1 Apple TV (65MB/s)

1 Wifi-printer (65MB/s)

1 iPad 2 (52MB/s)

1 iPhone5 (150MB/s)

1 iPhone4S (65MB/s)

 

and we're running the following via Ethernet

TiVo

TV

Popcorn Hour

 

 

and we're adding the following this month.

1 MB Pro 15" running TimeMachine

Occasionally we have up to 3 extra iPhones. (Total of 5 iPhones)

 

All devices are up to date and are running the latest iOS / OS

 

An extra question...

What's the difference between Emil-Husar-Macbook-Pro-15 and Emil-Husar-Macbook-Pro-15.local ?

 

I'm not an expert in any way so consider me as a newbie

Posted on Aug 29, 2013 1:16 PM

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emil.husar

Q: Airport Extreme + TimeCapsule  - Best config?

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  • by LaPastenague,Helpful

    LaPastenague LaPastenague Aug 29, 2013 1:38 PM in response to emil.husar
    Level 9 (53,001 points)
    Wireless
    Aug 29, 2013 1:38 PM in response to emil.husar

    Exactly what model is your old TC? Please give the A1xxx model from the base.

     

    What model is the Extreme? Is this the new AC one or older one you got refurbished or second hand? Also give me the A1xxx model as that helps with specifics.

     

    It is better to make the latest model the router rather than the TC if it is starting to act up.

     

     

     

    Right now, i've got an Ethernet cable from my TC to my Extreme and it was set up as extension so it's all inside the same network.

     

    What configuration is best for maximum speed?

     

    Yes, this is the best. It is standard roaming network.. and you can follow the Apple doco exactly.

     

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

     

     

     

    An extra question...

    What's the difference between Emil-Husar-Macbook-Pro-15 and Emil-Husar-Macbook-Pro-15.local ?

     

    In your network, none.. the .local is assumed and added as the local domain name. You can reach it with either name.. it is only on a network with DNS issues or multiple domains that you need the extra info.

     

    You may have never noticed it.. but the domain is set in the airport utility. Well it used to be when Airport utility was more than toyland version we have now.

     

    timecapsulenamepage.png

     

    You see under the Time Capsule Name.. it then gives you the full name.. So i renamed this TC to Tardis and the full domain name is Tardis.local

    You can click the edit and change the local domain suffix.

     

    Your name may cause issues btw... Apple might allow it but over long names lead to instability in some cases.

     

    See C9 here http://pondini.org/TM/Troubleshooting.html

  • by emil.husar,

    emil.husar emil.husar Aug 29, 2013 1:44 PM in response to LaPastenague
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Aug 29, 2013 1:44 PM in response to LaPastenague

    Hello!

     

    Old TimeCapsule is A1355

    New Airport Extreme is A1521

    Both are new from the box from Apple.

     

    At the moment, this is the configuration...

    Should I change it to the other way around?

    Pic.jpg

     

    The name were created from OSX so I assumed they were correct, maybe I should change them

  • by LaPastenague,Helpful

    LaPastenague LaPastenague Aug 29, 2013 1:52 PM in response to emil.husar
    Level 9 (53,001 points)
    Wireless
    Aug 29, 2013 1:52 PM in response to emil.husar

    Yes, change them around..

     

    A1355 is Gen3 and is starting to show its age. Especially as the problem can be the ethernet ports.. so you are better running the new Extreme as the main router and extend with the TC to those blank areas.

     

    The names are valid from Apple point of view.. but we have found they can cause issues..

     

    Anyway even apple fill in the names with underlines so even apple has to change the name to be an actual valid name.. better making them short, no spaces and pure alphanumeric in the first place.

  • by emil.husar,

    emil.husar emil.husar Aug 29, 2013 2:01 PM in response to LaPastenague
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Aug 29, 2013 2:01 PM in response to LaPastenague

    Thank you!

     

    Which is the easiest way to change the order of the two?

     

    Since they are connected, is it just to change the incoming ethernet cable to the Extreme?

    And of course switch the ethernet cables running between the two devices?

     

    Will it affect the backups running via timemachine? Or will the computers find the disk anyways?

     

    I just hate setting up networks

  • by LaPastenague,

    LaPastenague LaPastenague Aug 29, 2013 2:10 PM in response to emil.husar
    Level 9 (53,001 points)
    Wireless
    Aug 29, 2013 2:10 PM in response to emil.husar

    If you hate setting up networks.. don't change anything..

     

    The differences are probably not going to be major.. you did ask how to optimise.. that means changes and probably many small changes to see if things can be improved. But there is no formula for that..

     

    As far as I can see your current speeds are quite ok.. you are splitting the load between bands and devices I guess.. but the only way to tell if you can do better is loads of messing around. The one follows the other I'm afraid.

     

    As to specific questions.. backups are not affected. If you change the name of the TC obviously you will need to point TM to the new location but it will not make any difference since you have it all ethernet connected on the backbone.

     

    If both are in bridge.. ie your modem is also your router.. then there is no change in function either..

     

    But if the TC is currently in DHCP and NAT mode, then you should swap the main router to the extreme and the TC should be bridged.

  • by emil.husar,

    emil.husar emil.husar Aug 29, 2013 2:21 PM in response to LaPastenague
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Aug 29, 2013 2:21 PM in response to LaPastenague

    The thing I hate is that I know the basics but lack some clear advice.

    Most of the mayor issues I've been thinking about have been answered today, thanks to you!

     

     

     

    But if the TC is currently in DHCP and NAT mode, then you should swap the main router to the extreme and the TC should be bridged.


    Since we don't typically use modems in Sweden, the TC is running DHCP and NAT.

    Is it just changing the DHCP and NAT to bridge and vice versa for the Extreme + of course changing the cables that are necessary? Or is it more that you would have to change for swapping these two devices?

     

    Thank you for be so patient!

  • by LaPastenague,

    LaPastenague LaPastenague Aug 29, 2013 3:30 PM in response to emil.husar
    Level 9 (53,001 points)
    Wireless
    Aug 29, 2013 3:30 PM in response to emil.husar

    If you hate doing setups.. but are obviously suffering that human condition of discontent.. it all works but surely it can work better.. then start by exporting the current configuration for both devices.. in airport utility in the top menu area.. export and then you can easily return to the settings as you now have them.

     

     

    Is it just changing the DHCP and NAT to bridge and vice versa for the Extreme + of course changing the cables that are necessary? Or is it more that you would have to change for swapping these two devices?

     

    That should be fine.. You are simply moving the Extreme to being the main router.. and the TC to roaming wireless extender..

     

    The actual positions of the TC and AE are more important.. you want to maximise the use of the AE's better antennas and higher output.. that is why I am suggesting the swap.. simply moving the roles would do nothing.

     

    So install the AE as main router.. and you might find the TC adds very little to it.. depending on the house layout. If that is the case then move the TC if possible to the really poorest location and use it there.. try and ensure that most devices in the house are actually connecting to the fastest wireless.. rather than the just the nearest.

    It may make almost no difference.. but you will have satisfied the human craving of discontent.. until you see the next model advertised.. and the marketing people do their number on you.