connecting a Time Capsule to an existing non-Apple wifi router

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connecting a Time Capsule to an existing non-Apple wifi router

My father is moving to Mac and wanted to get a Time Capsule. From what I had read, it's possible to connect a Time Capsule to an existing wifi router, even if that router is not an Airport. Yes, I know it's slow, but for a variety of reasons, it's convenient. In fact, that's the only possible value here, since I can buy a non-Apple NAS for $150 if I want to use ethernet (my router at home will host a USB drive, so I don't have this problem. I read through 10 or so threads, including this one:

Connect Time Capsule to an existing network

This thread suggests that I can connect the Time Capsule to my father's router via wifi if I know the security used for the router, which I do (it's WPA/WPA2 Personal; I can get more specific if that will help, but I don't think it will).

1. When I plug in the Time Capsule and start Airport Utility, I can see the device:

2. I can select the device:

3. I can connect to the device:

4. When I connect to the device, it tries to set itself up as an Airport Base station (which I don't want, as there are others using the network, and I don't want to connect this to the cable modem in the first place):

5. I can select "Other Options":

6. When I select "Add to existing network", sometimes it just bumps me back to setting up a new wireless network (#4 above), and sometimes it shows a neighbor's wifi:

7. Even if I click on the dropdown, the same neighbor's wifi (which I assume to be an Airport router) is the only one that shows up:

9. Now, I know that I can configure the thing as a router, then go in and configure it as a bridge. I set it up as an independent wifi router/network, edit that network, and I set it up as a bridge using the same SSID, same password as the existing network, let it reboot, and Josh's Wifi Network goes away. I connect back to the original (internet-connected wireless network), fire up Airport Utility, which doesn't see the device, then fire up Time Machine, which doesn't see the device.

So I reset the Time Machine and try again.

Here's the configuration of the Time Machine as bridge:

Now, I'll admit I'm iffy on using this as a bridge. I don't want to do that or need to do that; I just need it to be a NAS, albeit connected via wifi, not ethernet.

Here are my questions:

1. Is it possible using a Time Capsule bought today, June 13, 2016, and using a new rMBP running El Capitan, to configure the Time Capsule to sit on an existing wifi network as a backup device, not on its own network?

2. If so, how am I misconfiguring it?

Help!?

Thanks,

Josh

Many

Posted on Jun 13, 2016 10:06 PM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

LaPastenague

Level 9

67,244 points

Jun 13, 2016 11:37 PM in response to JoshuaG10

2. If so, how am I misconfiguring it?

You found a post from 2012 which is no longer relevant.

Apple removed the ability to join another brand wireless network. Sorry.

1. Is it possible using a Time Capsule bought today, June 13, 2016, and using a new rMBP running El Capitan, to configure the Time Capsule to sit on an existing wifi network as a backup device, not on its own network?

Not by wireless.

You can plug the TC into the main router by ethernet. Then setup wireless for the new Mac.. or use the main router's wireless which is not recommended.

There is a few other ways around the problem but all involve spending on extra equipment.

Apple designed their routers to work only with other Apple routers.. and even the very poor WDS method or join wireless has long been removed.

An example of a work around.

Use the TC stand alone with no internet connection .. keep using wireless to the main router.. plug in a second USB wireless stick (Mac compatible) .. set it up to independent network with static IP and you will then have both internet and backup over different wireless networks.

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Answer 2

JoshuaG10 Author

Level 1

4 points

Jun 15, 2016 7:03 PM in response to LaPastenague

I appreciate your answer. It's a question that's been asked several times on here with every generation of TC. You seem to have answered most of them! It's unfortunate that they don't allow the TC to attach to an existing non-Apple network. I bought a Western Digital wired NAS, plugged it in, and Time Machine saw it within a minute. Twice the disk, half the price.

Again, appreciate all of the help. The Apple Store said they hadn't heard of this being a problem, but I suspect that most people are just using the TC as a router. I have an Airport Extreme and love it (this TC was not for me).

Josh

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