How do I use an old time capsule (A1355) as a wifi extender?

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Level 1

78 points

How do I use an old time capsule (A1355) as a wifi extender?

I'm living at a summer camp that has a very weak wifi signal beyond the room where the router is located (Actiontec GT784WN). I brought my old Time Capsule (A1355 circa 2009) with me and can physically connect it to the Actiontec via a 50 ft ethernet cable.

Then what do I do? Then what can I do?

Extend the existing wifi signal of the Actiontec?

Broadcast a 2nd wifi signal originating with the Time Capsule?

When I plug the Time Capsule in without connecting it to the Actiontec it begins broadcasting the wifi networks it used to broadcast, but with no actual wifi capacity, of course.

Can I connect the Time Capsule to one of the Ethernet ports on the back of the Actiontec and have it function as an extender to the wifi network that the Actiontec is broadcasting? Do I use the Airport Utility to do that? If so, how?

Can I connect the Time Capsule to one of the Ethernet ports on the back of the Actiontec and broadcast my own wifi network as a second wifi network? Do I use the Airport Utility to do that? If so, how?

In addition to the 50' Ethernet cable I propose to use to install my Time Capsule far enough away from the Actiontec to make a difference in my part of the building, I have a shorter ethernet cable I can use for a test.

I guess I can only use it to test the possibility of broadcasting my own wifi network as a second wifi network.

Any help would be appreciated

MacBook Pro, OS X Yosemite (10.10.3), Safari 8.0.6, Mail 8.2, Contacts 9.

Posted on Jul 9, 2015 12:33 PM

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Answer 1

Bob Timmons

Level 10

185,042 points

Jul 9, 2015 2:47 PM in response to nevets2

Extend the existing wifi signal of the Actiontec?

Possible, if you want to provide the same WiFi signal that the Actiontec is broadcasting to others near you. When you "extend" using an Ethernet connection, technically this is called a "roaming" network.

Broadcast a 2nd wifi signal originating with the Time Capsule?

Possbile, if you want to have your own wireless network signal with your own password for the network.

In addition to the 50' Ethernet cable I propose to use to install my Time Capsule far enough away from the Actiontec to make a difference in my part of the building, I have a shorter ethernet cable I can use for a test.

You won't really need the shorter Ethernet cable unless you want to use it to set things up, then move the Time Capsule to the end of the longer Ethernet cable. The important thing here is that you have tested the long Ethernet cable to make sure that it is working correctly, before you connect the Time Capsule to set it up.

Whichever way you choose to set things up, the basic setup is the same......

Reset the Time Capsule back to factory default settings by holding in the reset button on the back of the device for 7-8 seconds, then release and allow a full minute for the Time Capsule to restart to a slow blinking amber light.

Connect an Ethernet cable from one of the LAN <--> ports on the Actiontec to the WAN "O" port on the Time Capsule

Click the WiFi icon at the top of the Mac's screen and look for a listing of New AirPort Base Station. Just below that, click directly on Time Capsule. The example below shows an AirPort Extreme, but you will see Time Capsule on your screen.

When you click on Time Capsule, that will get the setup "wizard" running. It will take a few seconds to analyze the setup, and then suggest the correct configuration with a window that looks similar to this....except that you will see a picture of the Time Capsule:

For Network Name.........If you want to extend the Actiontec network, enter the exact same wireless network name that the Actiontec is using. If you want to have your own network, enter a short, simple name that you want to use.

For Base Station Name........Enter a short name for the Time Capsule. Mine is TC, for example

For Password.........If you entered the name of the wireless network that the Actiontec is using, enter the same password that is used to access that network. If you entered your own wireless network name above, then enter a password that you want to use for that network.

Verify........Type in the same password again to confirm

Click Next, and the wizard will set up everything for you. When you see the message of Setup Complete, click Done, and you are done.

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