Extend network with Time Capsule

[mjohansen]

Today I have my TC connected through wire to my router from my current carrier. The carrier router is in bridge mode and I'm therefore using the TC as the router - everything is good.

Tomorrow I will get a new internet connection and the router from my carrier will be placed in a totally different part of the house were it is suboptimal to wire it to the TC. As far as I understand, I cannot just connect the TC to the new router wirelessly and extend the network as there are compatiblity issues with that. Is that correct?

Is the only solution (if I want to avoid having to wire the TC to the new router) to buy a AirPort Express, wire it to the router and then extend the network with the TC?

Also, are the AirPort Express wireless specs as good as the TC?

 

[B_Z]

On my Time Capsule (4th generation) it is possible to configure it in Bridge mode to extend a wireless network. If you want to use your new router as a router, and the TC as just an access point w/ Time Machine on it, this is how you would want it configured.

(Note in the pics below I'm in bridge mode and "create a wireless network" because it is my only wireless router, you would want to use "extend a wireless network" to extend your new ISP's wireless router)

 

[BrianBaughn]

You could extend the new router with the TC wirelessly as B_Z shows but where you put the TC will be important to performance. This is potentially a downgrade in wifi speed IF you're TC is reasonably new with AC capabilities and the new router isn't, which is likely these days.

The AirPort Express isn't AC capable.

Whether or not AC speed is important to you depends on your use.

 

[mjohansen]

On my Time Capsule (4th generation) it is possible to configure it in Bridge mode to extend a wireless network. If you want to use your new router as a router, and the TC as just an access point w/ Time Machine on it, this is how you would want it configured.

(Note in the pics below I'm in bridge mode and "create a wireless network" because it is my only wireless router, you would want to use "extend a wireless network" to extend your new ISP's wireless router)

EDIT: I misunderstood your reply. Is it possible to extend a network even though the new router is not made by Apple (I've found other sites where people say that this is not possible)?

 

[Bruno09]

EDIT: I misunderstood your reply. Is it possible to extend a network even though the new router is not made by Apple (I've found other sites where people say that this is not possible)?

[doublepost=1512211002][/doublepost]"Extend a wireless network" (wirelessly) is a proprietary feature that only works with Apple devices.

So no, you can not extend the wireless network of you ISP with a TC (wirelessly).

However, you can :
- connect the TC to the router with an Ethernet cable
- set it up in bridge mode : Airport Utility / Network / Router mode : Off (bridge mode)
- set up both the IPS router AND the TC with the same wireless configuration (same SSID, security and password)

Is the only solution (if I want to avoid having to wire the TC to the new router) to buy a AirPort Express, wire it to the router and then extend the network with the TC?

This would work, yes.

 

[mjohansen]

However, you can :
- connect the TC to the router with an Ethernet cable
- set it up in bridge mode : Airport Utility / Network / Router mode : Off (bridge mode)
- set up both the IPS router AND the TC with the same wireless configuration (same SSID, security and password)

If I decide to connect the TC to the router with an ethernet cable (and place the TC in a more optimal position in my house) and set it up in bridge mode as suggested, will that help with the WIFI signal, or will my devices still only use the router provided by my IPS?

 

[Bruno09]

Yes it will help with the wifi signal.

Configure the ISP router and the TC with the same wifi parameters (same SSID, same security (WPA2) and same wifi password). This creates a "roaming network" : the devices will automatically connect to the wifi point (ISP router or TC) they receive best.

This is the best set up you can do with an ISP router and a TC.
Better than extending a network wirelessly.