Time Machine Backup with a Time Capsule 3TB using Gigabit Cable and not Wi-Fi

How can I configure the Time Capsule/Time Machine backup to use the cable and not wi-fi?

I will assume that you have already set up the Time Capsule with your modem or modem/router and checked to make sure that it is operating correctly. If not, you will have to first start from scratch and set up the Time Capsule to work with your existing modem or modem/router.

AirPort Time Capsule 802.11ac - Setup Guide

Once the Time Capsule is set up.......

Connect an Ethernet cable from your Mac to one of the three LAN <--> Ethernet ports on the back of the Time Capsule. Be sure to turn off the WiFi on the Mac to insure that the connection will be over Ethernet.......since most current and recent Mac laptops will automatically default to WiFi, even if an Ethernet cable is connected to the Mac.

If for some reason you do not want to turn off the WiFi on the Mac, you will need to make sure that the Mac is set up to default to Ethernet when both a wired and wireless connection are present. To check this.....

Open System Preferences (gear icon on the dock)

Open Network

Click on the small gear icon at the bottom of the connection list

Click on Set Service Order

Make sure that Ethernet is at the top of the connection order list. If its not, drag it there.

Click OK

Click Apply at the lower right of the next window

Restart your Mac

Additionally, once I've successfully used the cable connection, how can I turn off the wi-fi on the Time Capsule so that it is not broadcasting any longer.

Open AirPort Utility on your Mac (Finder > Applications > Utilities > AirPort Utility)

Click on the picture of the Time Capsule

Click Edit in the smaller window that appears

Click the Wireless tab near the top of the next window

Change the setting for Network Mode from Create a wireless network to Off

Click Update at the lower right of the window

There is effectively no difference in setup between using it via wireless or via ethernet.

I presume your network already is running a modem router.. simply plug the WAN of the TC with ethernet into the router..

Run the setup via the airport utility.. don't worry at this stage about wireless.. it is easier to just do the full automagical setup and fix minor issues later.

I do recommend you use very short name.. no spaces and pure alphanumerics.. same for password but can be longer.

There are two changes I recommend.

1. Configure the TC with a static IP on the Internet tab.. this is simple.. once you finish the setup it will be setup to DHCP.. go into the TC via edit on the airport utility and switch to static.

2. Once you finish that you can also turn off wireless. Simply go to the Wireless tab.. and select OFF.