Time Capsule & Modem Ethernet Question

I just picked up a Time Capsule so I can start using Time Machine for automatic back-ups and am trying to determine the best way to physically connect it to my current network.

At the moment, I've got a VDSL modem-router that's connected to my iMac via ethernet but also provides the wi-fi for my laptop, iPad, consoles, Apple TV, blu-ray player, etc. Since it's been serving me very well, the less I rock the boat the better (meaning the TC will be going into bridge mode).

Essentially, I'd like to have the Time Capsule hooked up to the iMac via ethernet to speed up back-ups (since the iMac by far has the most data, serving as the main iTunes hub etc., the laptops can do wireless), while also maintaining the physical connection to the modem if at all possible.

So, is the best course to have both the iMac and the Time Capsule connected to the modem via ethernet cables (plenty of unused ports on it)?
(TC) > (modem) < (iMac)

Or to have the modem go into the WAN port on the Time Capsule and then ethernet from a LAN port on the TC to the iMac?
(modem) > (TC) > (iMac)

Basically want a hardwire TC and internet connection to an iMac with only one ethernet port. Thanks in advance for any help!

emtrey

 

Worked great, thanks! Hardline is working perfectly, wi-fi network is performing as usual, and both desktop and laptop have been backed up to the Time Capsule. Exactly what I was looking for (even networked the printer now by hooking it up to the TC).

Thanks again!