Time Capsule on Existing Ethernet Question

[Absberg2k]

I am trying to connect my TC to an existing ethernet network and I have a couple of questions.

First, in terms of connections do I connect a network cable from a router LAN port to (a) the ethernet LAN port on the TC? or (b) the ethernet WAN port on the TC?

Second, in the Airport Utility what do I select under "Wireless Mode"? Am I creating a wireless network? Am I participating in a WDS network? Or am I extending a wireless network?

Last, I think I know how to set up the TC in bridge mode. I see that talked about quite a bit on here. Is it as simple as selecting bridge mode under the Connection Sharing dropdown menu on the Internet Connection Section of the "Internet" tab of Airport Utility? Does anything else need to be changed? I guess that kind of takes me back to my second question: what type of wireless mode should I be in?

Thanks in advance for any and all help.

Steve A.

 

[akchang]

First, in terms of connections do I connect a network cable from a router LAN port to (a) the ethernet LAN port on the TC? or (b) the ethernet WAN port on the TC?

You want to connect the WAN port of the TC to the LAN port of the router.

Second, in the Airport Utility what do I select under "Wireless Mode"? Am I creating a wireless network? Am I participating in a WDS network? Or am I extending a wireless network?

I'm assuming your router is distributing IP addresses. So select "Create a Wireless Network". You can set your TC to also distribute IP addresses using DHCP, but make sure the range does not overlap with the range on your router. For example, on your router you can select 10.0.1.2 to 10.0.1.50 and on your TC you would select 10.0.1.51 to 10.0.1.100

Last, I think I know how to set up the TC in bridge mode. I see that talked about quite a bit on here. Is it as simple as selecting bridge mode under the Connection Sharing dropdown menu on the Internet Connection Section of the "Internet" tab of Airport Utility?

Yes, just set it to bridge mode. The only thing you have to make sure is that any security settings on your router that affect LAN connections such as Mac Address IP distribution or whatever includes the TC.

I found this website to be helpful. http://www.ezlan.net/bridging.html

 

[Absberg2k]

Thanks.

I probably didn't use the right terminology. I'm not actually connecting to a "router" (at least I don't think I am). It's a dorm room situation where there is a wired access point in the room. I am hoping to connect the TC via network cable and then be able to access the university network (and internet) wirelessly in the dorm room.

Do you still think what we have talked about will work?

Thanks again.

 

[akchang]

You would have to change a few things but the principle is the same.

I think you should be able to set it up like you are connected to an ISP.

Settings on the TC

Internet -> Internet Connection
Connect Using: Ethernet
Configure IP4: Using DHCP
Connection Sharing: Share a public IP Address
Internet -> DHCP
Use a range of IP addresses not used by your college. Your college will probably be on 192.168.x.x so you can use the defaults on the TC which is 10.0.x.x

Airport-> Wireless
Wireless Mode: Create a Wireless Network
Then do the rest how we talked before.

Honestly, in a dorm room, I'd use an ethernet cable and backup to the TC occasionally. How big can your room be? The cable is more reliable and you won't waste so much time mucking around or worry about microwaves or phones knocking down your signal.