Time Capsule doesn't backup

Dear all,

I have my ADSL router attached to a Time Capsule device in bridge mode, connected to 2 macs via ethernet and an additional one via wifi. I am using it since 3 years for time machine backups.

Recently (OSX 10.13) I realized that backups were not made for few days, I could not connect to the time capsule disk neither through the shared bar in finder windows, nor directly from the "go..." menu in finder, "connect to sender". The network and the wifi keep working fine, but no access to the time capsule internal disk.

If I unplug the time capsule, wait few seconds, re-plug and wait, then when the led become green and the network is back on, I can open the time machine control panel, re-select the disk, re-insert the password, and then it works.

...till the next time.

I tried to check this and other forums, tried to apply some suggestions, but so far no luck.

Does it forget the password (but this happens on 2 different macs on my network)? Any suggesetion?

Thanks a lot.

donazipe

iMac (27-inch Mid 2011), OS X Yosemite (10.10)

Posted on Jan 10, 2018 12:36 AM

19 replies

donazipe Author

Level 1

66 points

Jan 16, 2018 1:06 PM in response to LaPastenague

You got it again. Using local, TC now shows up in AirPort Utility.

I upgraded to 7.7.9 (last firmware), and everything shows up fine in AirPort Utility.

Hope 7.7.9 does not break out TimeMachine backups.

Thanks once more. You've been amazing.

Jan 16, 2018 1:30 PM in response to donazipe

You are AMAZING .. this is exploration to edges of apple networking.. and you have followed every idea.. every suggestion so well done.

Jan 10, 2018 2:10 AM in response to donazipe

No it is not a password issue.. it is Apple's DNS and Bonjour issue.. that is losing the connection unless you power the unit down and restart.

But the latest firmware may exacerbate the problem. Can you go back to 7.7.7 first .. (7.7.8 later) do a factory reset.. no need to update beyond that for a bridged TC .. nothing bad will happen unless you are extending wireless to another airport.

In your setup have you tried to bridge your ADSL modem .. run the TC in PPPOE mode (your ISP must support PPPOE) and run the TC as full router. If it is possible to do it have a go.. you will find it much more reliable than bridge on the TC.

But it doesn't work for everyone.

My problem.. bridged ADSL modem is that PPPOE in the TC fails to authenticate or cannot hold the connection for any time beyond one or two minutes so goes into paroxysms of cycling the connection.

So I am forced to use a different modem router.. all in one or combo of bridged modem and alternative router.. but then run into the same problem you have with Apple computers forgetting the TC location. The fix is to use a special setup..

Static IP plus DHCP.. which turns the TC back to being a true router.. NOT a NAT router.

Just explained the method in the thread here.

Re: Airport Time Capsule Not Connecting to Internet

Very similar situation and it is due to both firmware update and High Sierra.

If you need more details tell me what model modem... and particularly what IP it is running and DHCP range.

Bob Timmons

Level 10

185,174 points

Jan 10, 2018 3:00 PM in response to donazipe

What if I chain my ISP modem (acting as router) to the TC (in bridge mode), and then I connect to the 3 TC ethernet ports, a switch and other macs?

What if the TC has a problem? If it does, then all of the other devices connected to the TC will likely lose their connection(s) as well. Troubleshooting the problems will be difficult.

Much better to connect the Ethernet switch to the modem/router, then connect the TC and other Macs to the switch. If the TC has a problem, the other Macs and devices connected to the switch will continue to function normally.

I read on another forum that having a switch BEFORE TC may cause problems

What problems? Connecting the switch to the modem/router is the same as your modem/router having 8 or more Ethernet ports instead of 3 or 4.

having it after might actualy avoid them.

Not correct. More chances for things to go wrong, and it will be very difficult to troubleshoot the network when something does go wrong.

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Time Capsule doesn't backup