Remove a network from Time Capsule?

A year ago we moved country and had to get a contract with a new ISP. Everything worked fine on the new network set up by them, but they did point out that we could not change the network name (the SSID) ourselves; they had to do that. Shortly thereafter I set up a network at home to connect other devices to, using my own network name. That too worked OK. However after a while I decided it wasn't necessary, and deleted the network I had set up (via System Preferences on my MacBook). However, the name did not disappear, but as I was only connecting to the original SSID set up by the ISP, it didn't seem to matter. If I did try to connect to it, I would be asked for a WAP password (which by then, I had forgotten anyhow). Then, when I wanted to reconfigure my Time Capsule I discovered that the network it was apparently using was the one I set up, not the one the ISP set up! I tried to edit the settings and change it to the one the ISP set up, but that wouldn't work, nor could I delete the unwanted SSID. When I did so and tried to update the settings, the only option offered was to "forget" the device snd the Time Capsule would vanish from the network! I am tempted to leave things alone as it works, but I want to add another HDD. How do I sort this out? Do I have to reset the Time Capsule and start setup as if for the first time?

Posted on Nov 26, 2018 1:19 AM

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Nov 26, 2018 1:48 AM in response to muffincat

Time Capsule can be run with or without Wi-Fi enabled.


When you removed the network on your Mad, you did not remove the network on the Time Capsule.


If you want to use it was a backup target for Time Machine, you need a wired or wireless path to the Time Capsule.


To reset the device to factory defaults:


How to reset your AirPort base station - Apple Support


That’ll just leave you with a “new“ Time Capsule, with a “new” SSID.


If you don’t want the Time Capsule broadcasting a Wi-Fi, use Airport Utility on macOS or iOS to shut off the Wi-Fi. That’ll also mean your Time Capsule will need a wired network connection, assuming you still want to use it.


Switching to the ISP SSID won’t help you. It’ll just get your network confused, as you’ll have two IP routers, which means teomsubnets and some other configuration details; multiple IP routers means youkll need to hnderstand and set up routing.


Usual configuration here would be as access points, if you’re looking to improve wireless coverage, whether your ISP Wi-Fi supports that, you’ll need to chekc. Switching to an access point network also means you’ll want a box to provide NAT and firewall duties, if your ISP box cankr (also) provide that when configured as an access point.


From the perspective of IP packet routing, an access point is transparent; it’s akin to a piece of network wiring. IP routers aren’t transparent, and require an IPmaddress and other detsils, and setting up IP routing. (Yes, an access point does have a management address, but it doesn’t have network interface addresses in both of the network interfaces involved.)


Easiest: shut off Wi-Fi on the Time Capsule. Your Time Machine will probably still be able to access the storage via yournISP Wi-Fi, if the network is set up correctly. (I don’t think Apple supports this, but it does work with several networks I deal with. Though those Wi-Fi networks are all access point, and not routed.)


Or just leave it all alone, of course.

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Remove a network from Time Capsule?

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