Remote access to Time Capsule with BTMM

Here is a strange set of realities.

The vast majority of modem routers made in the world use upnp to open ports.. that is of course a MS standard.

Apple being apple.. having bent over and accepted SMB as default network protocol could not stomach using upnp so used their own standard NAT-PMP.

Your modem router.. is 97% certain to only support upnp.

The BTMM app on the mini can support both upnp and NAT-PMP.

BTMM on the TC cannot use upnp on a router.

So now you are in a big sticky mess.

You can try and open the ports manually to the TC.. this will likely prevent the mini from working.

You can bridge your modem router and use the TC as the router.. (if possible).. and that should fix the problem.

So just to clarify your last suggestion I would put the modem router in bridge mode

The trick is to get the modem/router to act as if it were only a simple modem. Some modem/routers can be set up to operate this way, and some cannot.

Even if a modem/router can be set up to act as a simple modem, some Internet Service Providers (ISPs) lock down the settings to prevent users from changing things around.

If you are considering this, it is always best to contact your ISP to find out whether this type of setup is even possible, and if it is, whether the ISP will help you with the setup and provide future support with this type of configuration.

Frankly, even if it the modem/router can be set up this way, the ISP will usually be less than thrilled about the idea. It means more work for them, and more troubleshooting if things do not work.

If your ISP offers a simple modem (it will have only one Ethernet port), swapping out the modem/router for a simple modem is by far the easiest thing to do.

When you have the modem/router set up as a simple modem, or have swapped the modem/router for a simple modem......then, the Router Mode of the AirPort can be changed from "Off (Bridge Mode)" to DHCP and NAT.

Back to My Mac usually works well....or has a better chance of working well.....when the "main" router is an Apple device that is set up as the "main" network router handling DHCP and NAT functions.

The NAT and upnp would then be switched off on the modem router?

All routing functions....DHCP and NAT, UPnP, wireless, etc are automatically disabled when a modem/router is set up to act only as a simple modem, assuming that it can be set up this way.

If I go for that solution do I still have to worry about opening ports etc?

No, if you are planning on using Back to My Mac. Yes, if you use a different method for remote access, which is known as Port Mapping or Port Forwarding. Unfortunately, this is not easy for most users to implement, even with step by step instructions, so the assistance of an IT professional is often needed to set things up.

In addition, to set up Port Mapping, you will need what is known as a Static IP address from your ISP, which usually means a business level account at significantly higher cost.

If you tell us what modem router, type of broadband and who the ISP is.. that could help?

There is another method entirely for remote access.. it is certainly more difficult than BTMM to setup. But is the typical professional method used. That is a standard VPN server router. This is the method used by most businesses.. because it is secure and safe.. and once connected you are part of the entire network via the single connection.

Ok.. you are in trouble.. because talktalk may not allow PPPOE and then you cannot use the Airport as your router.

Do you have voip via the HG533 or is it just ADSL??

If adsl buy a modem router (I am assuming you have your login details).. with vpn server..

eg lots of the draytek are excellent..

Very popular modem router for running vpn server.

Billion is another brand we used to use.. gone out of favour over here..

TP-Link but it must have VPN server not client in the modem..