Apple Event: May 7th at 7 am PT

Looks like no one’s replied in a while. To start the conversation again, simply ask a new question.

AirPort Is Node, How Do I Access The HD Through Ethernet (NOT wireless)?

Hello,

So after a lot of reading here, I managed to configure my AirPort 3TB router to join my existing network via wi-fi. It gets an IP via DHCP from my main router in the house and works very well. I can access the AirPort hard drive on my PC b/c it communicates via wi-fi through my router with all the other computers in the house. I get ~5.5 Mbps transfer speeds over wifi which is not too bad considering the ~10 feet and walls between my AirPort and my main router.

Now, here's my question. I have another computer connected to the AirPort NOT via wifi, but with an ethernet cable b/c I want to move data using the 100Mbs of my PC (the wifi is too slow). For the life of me, I can't figure out how to configure the IP settings of my computer so it can hook up directly to the AirPort and SEE THE HARD DRIVE. The problem is that since the AirPort is configured to "connect to another network via wifi", it's NOT a DHCP server and any devices plugged into its ethernet ports have to be manually configured.

Any and all suggestions are much appreciated. Thank you!

Posted on May 22, 2015 7:34 AM

22 replies

May 22, 2015 10:18 AM in response to Darles_Chickens

Thanks for clarifying that. Unfortunately, the "latest" version of AirPort Utility 5.6.1 for Windows is 3 years old.

Do you have a newer "tower" version of the Time Capsule? If yes, then AirPort Utility 5.6.1 does not meet the system requirements for the newer "tower" version of the Time Capsule.

We posted the System Requirements above in a previous post just above.

If you have an older "flat" or "square" version of the Time Capsule.......then we are OK.

May 22, 2015 10:24 AM in response to Bob Timmons

Newer version of AirPort. Does the Mac AirPort utility have more options?

May 22, 2015 10:33 AM in response to Darles_Chickens

It is not really a matter of options. It is a matter of whether the setup is officially supported or not. AirPort Utility 5.6.1 is not supported with the new AirPort.

Do you want to try to go ahead anyway and set up the new AirPort using the older version of AirPort Utility that you have? Things may or may not configure correctly....I cannot say.....but would be willing to provide the steps if you want to try this.

Or, reviewing the System Requirements above one more time......Do you have an iPhone or iPad handy? That would be supported for the setup of the new AirPort.

May 22, 2015 11:18 AM in response to Bob Timmons

Yes, I do have an iphone/ipad, but the airport app is less functional than the windows version. The older AirPort version for Windows works just fine, so the only concern is whether it doesn't support some of the functionality of the newer AirPort.

So here's what I'm trying to do:

1) AirPort connects wirelessly to master router (not an apple product) and acquires IP number.

2) AirPort is connected via an ethernet connection to another computer and that computer can access the AitPort's hard drive.

Again the issue is that the moment you choose to "Extend Wireless Connection", or "Connect to Wireless Network", the "Bridge Connection" on the internet tab becomes greyed out. So if you know how I can accomplish (1) and (2) above, I'm all ears. 🙂

Thank you.

May 22, 2015 12:25 PM in response to Darles_Chickens

So here's what I'm trying to do:

1) AirPort connects wirelessly to master router (not an apple product) and acquires IP number.

2) AirPort is connected via an ethernet connection to another computer and that computer can access the AitPort's hard drive.

I'm sorry, but we are back to square one again.

1) You can configure the AirPort to connect wirelessly to your router.....as you have already done.....by setting it up to "join" the wireless network. But, as I already tried to explain, the AirPort performs no routing functions when it does this. So, the Ethernet ports are not enabled at all. They are inactive and cannot be used to connect any Ethernet devices. As I explained above, when the AirPort is configured to "join", it simply acts as a wireless hard drive and nothing more.

2) This cannot occur if you go with the "join" option above....since the Ethernet ports are not enabled at all when the AirPort "joins" a wireless network.

The only way that you can connect the AirPort to your current router......and have the Ethernet ports enabled.....is to use an permanent Ethernet cable connection from one of the LAN ports on your router to the WAN "O" port on the AirPort.

The wireless service on the AirPort can be turned off, so your current router will provide the wireless service for your network. Ethernet devices will be able to connect to either your router....or....to the LAN ports on the Time Capsule.

If you want to try this, I will provide the steps for you. I will assume that AirPort Utility 5.6.1 will be able to configure the new AirPort this way, but I cannot assure you that it will.....because I have not tried to use AirPort Utility 5.6.1 on a new AirPort.

So, to review the process once again......

1) The AirPort needs to be reset back to factory default settings. To do that, you would hold in the reset button on the back of the AirPort for 7-8 seconds and release. Then allow a full minute for the AirPort to restart back to a slow, blinking amber light status. The AirPort is now reset and can be reconfigured again.

2) An Ethernet cable needs to be connected from a LAN <--> port on your router to the WAN "O" port on the AirPort. This connection must be maintained at all times. The Ethernet cable length can be virtually any distance that you want......up to about 300 feet or 100 meters.....so you can locate the AirPort virtually anywhere that you want.

If you are OK with both 1) and 2), then I will provide the steps for you to set up the new AirPort.

May 22, 2015 1:01 PM in response to Bob Timmons

Bob, I appreciate all of your help. It was more than anyone could've asked for. Running a wire b/w 2 rooms is not a good option. I'll either spring for those ethernet adapters that piggy-back on the power line, or just return the darn thing 🙂.

Without the basic ability to get an IP address through DHCP/wifi and provide access to the hard drive through the ethernet ports, this thing is not the solution that I was looking for.

May 22, 2015 1:01 PM in response to Darles_Chickens

I will go ahead and provide the steps, and you can connect things up using short, spare Ethernet cable.....any length will do....to verify that things will work the way that you want....and that the Ethernet ports will be enabled on the AirPort. If you decide to go ahead with the Ethernet adapters, the AirPort will already be set up for you. All you need to do is install the adapters and hook things up.

After you reset the AirPort back to factory defaults, connect an Ethernet cable from one of the LAN <--> ports on the router to the WAN "O" port on the AirPort.

Open up AirPort Utility, click on the AirPort and then click Manual Setup near the bottom of the window.

Click the Base Station tab to name the device and set up a device password, enter Time Zone, etc.

Click the Wireless tab and change the setting for Wireless Mode to Off

Click the Internet icon at the top of the window, then click the Internet Connection tab just below that.

Change the setting for Connection Sharing to "Off (Bridge Mode)"

Click Update at the lower right and give the AirPort a minute to restart.

Now you can test to confirm that an Ethernet device will work correctly when you connect it to one of the LAN <--> ports on the AirPort.

AirPort Is Node, How Do I Access The HD Through Ethernet (NOT wireless)?