Time Capsule as Access Point

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Davholsea Author

Level 1

5 points

Time Capsule as Access Point

I have posted another question regarding TC but might as well try this at the same time.

I’m running Yosemite on an iMac and have a 2TB TC.

My modem/Router is an Orange Livebox (I live in France)

I am trying to make my TC act as an AP but struggling to get it right.

Basically I have my modem/router and then have run 2 ethernet cables from LAN ports on that to two rooms on opposite sides of the house.

My plan was to run an AP on each one, with one of them being my TC which is alongside my iMac.

The cable to the TC passes through an ethernet switch (if that’s relevant- that is a hub for some home entertainment stuff)

When I turn on the TC (not connected to ethernet) it allows me to extend the wifi signal, but the wifi signal is weak to this room and obviously what I’m looking to do is run it in bridge mode whilst connected via ethernet.

My assumption was that I would plug the ethernet cable into a LAN port on the TC, and then put the TC in bridge mode and Bob’s your uncle.

However That doesn’t seem to work and the settings allowing me to select bridge Mode in the airport utility are greyed out.

I’m not even sure if I should be restarting the TP with the ethernet cable attached or attach it once its up and running.

Can anyone supply step by step instructions for a thicko like me?

Many thanks

Bob

iPhoto '08

Posted on Mar 12, 2016 6:10 AM

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Answer 1

Mar 12, 2016 11:43 AM in response to Davholsea

The TC should work fine as AP.

From the other thread it sounds like you followed one of my sets of instructions.

The latest OS airport utility tend to want to take over when they discover you are using adsl. That is perhaps why your system is going mad.. it is also that you really need to do a full factory reset to start.

Here are the instructions again.. I do recommend you follow everything here..

Start from a factory reset. No files are lost on the hard disk doing this.

Factory reset universal

Power off the TC.. ie pull the power cord or power off at the wall.. wait 10sec.. hold in the reset button.. be gentle.. power on again still holding in reset.. and keep holding it in for another 10sec. You may need some help as it is hard to both hold in reset and apply power. It will show success by rapidly blinking the front led. Release the reset.. and wait a couple of min for the TC to reset and come back with factory settings. If the front LED doesn’t blink rapidly you missed it and simply try again. The reset is fairly fragile in these.. press it so you feel it just click and no more.. I have seen people bend the lever or even break it. I use a toothpick as tool.

N.B. None of your files on the hard disk of the TC are deleted.. this simply clears out the router settings of the TC.

Setup the TC again.

Then redo the setup from the computer with Mavericks--Yosemite--ElCapo. (MYELCAP)

1. Use very short names.. NOT APPLE RECOMMENDED names. No spaces and pure alphanumerics.

eg TCgen5 for basestation and TCwifi wireless name.

If the issue is wireless use TC24ghz and TC5ghz with fixed channels as this also seems to help stop the nonsense. But this can be tried in the second round. ie plan on a first and second round of changes to fix this.. hopefully.. I will point out other steps that can be round2.

2. Use all passwords that also comply with 1. but can be a bit longer. ie 8-20 characters mixed case and numbers.. no non-alphanumerics.

3. (edited) The TC can be unreliable if you don't set a static IP. So this is a bit complicated in your setup. For now setup in bridge and ignore this point.. but if you have issues down the track with the TC disappearing from the network.. tell me.

4. Check your share name on the computer is not changing.. make sure it also complies with the above.. short no spaces and pure alphanumeric.. but this change will mess up your TM backup.. so be prepared to do a new full backup. Sorry.. keep this one for second round if you want to avoid a new backup.

5. Mount the TC disk in the computer manually.

In Finder, Go, Connect to server from the top menu,

Type in SMB://192.168.0.254 (or whatever the TC ip is which you have now made static. As a router by default it is 10.0.1.1 and I encourage people to stick with that unless you know what you are doing).

You can use name.. SMB://TCgen5.local where you replace TCgen5 with your TC name.. local is the default domain of the TC and doesn't change.

However names are not so easy as IP address.. nor as reliable. At least not in Yosemite they aren't. The domain can also be an issue if you are not plugged or wireless directly to the TC.

6. Make sure IPv6 is set to link-local only in the computer. For example wireless open the network preferences, wireless and advanced / TCP/IP.. and fix the IPv6. to link-local only. Do the same for ethernet if you use it.

There is a lot more jiggery pokery you can try but the above is a good start.. if you find it still unreliable.. don't be surprised.

You might need to do some more work on the computer itself. eg Reset the NVRAM/PRAM/SMC.. has helped some people. Clean install of the OS is also helpful if you upgrade installed.

https://discussions.apple.com/thread/7306452?answerId=29202159022#29202159022&ac_cid=ha123456#29202159

If you run through this via the airport utility.. with your Mac plugged into the TC by ethernet to a LAN port.. you must change over the airport utility to using ethernet.. the thing is too dumb now to read both ethernet and wireless at the same time.

I am connected to the TC by wifi no options show under Other Wi-Fi Devices.

Plug in ethernet and now you have option to change over.

I cannot for the life of me work out why it is necessary.. but there you go..

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Answer 2

Davholsea Author

Level 1

5 points

Mar 16, 2016 2:52 AM in response to LaPastenague

Wow.

Apologies for the delay (hopefully you read the other thread)

Ok LaPastenague, thank you for what appear to be very knowledgable detailed instructions.

However, I won't lie - looking at them scares the whatsits out of me! 😕.

Once I've done my file recovery (as per the other thread) I'll sit and go through them again, but I'm starting to think I'd be safer just using my TC for backup and getting a stand alone AP to sit next to it!.

Seriously, if I make a connection from the router to an AP, and then ethernet the AP to the iMac and another ethernet from the iMac to the TC - would that be a sensible option? Assuming I don't have the balls to go through with your instructions above 😁

I'll let you know how I get on.

Cheerrs

Bob

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Answer 3

Mar 16, 2016 4:20 AM in response to Davholsea

However, I won't lie - looking at them scares the whatsits out of me! .

I have a nasty feeling I can guess.

As I always tell people .. there is no reason you should be a network expert.. employ one.. when the washing machine breaks down you get a washing machine repairman.. when the car breaks down you take it to a mechanic.. why oh why do people suddenly think they should be able to repair their networks without training.

There is nothing wrong with paying someone to do it for you.. but somehow the lie .. computers are simple.. got spread around.. and now everyone should be expert.

Somewhere along the way you might still need some help.

Seriously, if I make a connection from the router to an AP, and then ethernet the AP to the iMac and another ethernet from the iMac to the TC - would that be a sensible option?

Sure..There are any number of ways to organise your network..

But at some point you need to either learn it yourself or pass it over to someone who is prepared to help.

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