Setting up a Time Capsule & Airport Express Network

After much research I have managed to solve most of my networking problems when it comes to setting up a 2Tb Time Capsule (TC) to Airport Express (AX) home network capable of broadcasting WiFi and iTunes throughout my home. There were a few false starts and traps but I got there in the end. I also discovered along the way that there are some un　　documented AirPort Utility functions.

In the end I did not need to create a Wireless Distribution System (WDS) which can only be achieved using the 802.11g protocol. Instead I used the more modern protocol 802.11n. You can only use the 'n' protocol if all the hardware within the network supports it, otherwise you must drop back down to the older 'g' protocol and set up a WDS.

Also I am using Snow Leopard 10.6.7, Airport Utility 5.5.2 (552.11) and both the TC and the AX firmware were updated to the latest version 7.5.2. I also purchase the "AirPort Express Stereo Connection Kit with Monster Cables" which was mainly for the AX power extension cord as I wanted to place the AX on the tall Home Theatre cabinet for the best possible reception. It also comes with mini-to-RCA L/R audio cable and mini-to-optical digital Toslink audio cable. (AU$59)

So what did I do to achieve a workable home WiFi setup? Remember from the previous post the iMac 7.1 and TC are located in the back of the building with the AX and Home Theatre in the front, with three double brick walls and two rooms in between. Approx. 15 meters. This is also a ground floor apartment in a 65 year old building with four apartments. Using iStumbler I also discovered there are three other networks in the building. I also have four cordless networked Uniden phones.

Initial TC set up:

If this is the first time you have used your TC:

1 - Connect your TC to your modem/router and to your computer using ethernet cables. Plug in the mains cable and switch on at the wall.

2 - Open Airport Utility (AU) from the Applications/Utilities folder. After a few seconds the TC should appear on the left and be high lighted. Carry out all updates if indicated by AU.

3 - With the TC high lighted click the "Continue" button bottom right and following the on screen instructions. During this process it will ask you for your internet connect method. As there was no "Ethernet" choice initially, I chose "PPPoe" and left everything else blank in this section. Once finished click "Update". During this process it returned an error message concerning my internet connection method. It was here that it gave me the choice of "Ethernet" connection. Click "Update" again and wait for the TC to restart and you have a green light on the TC and in the left column next to the TC in AU.

To set up the TC Main Base Station in a 802.11n network:

1 - With the Airport Status activated in the Menu Bar, click on it and ensure there is a tick next to your network. (System Preferences-Network, place a tick in the "Show AirPort status in menu bar").

2 - Again high light the TC base station in the left column of AU and click on the "Manual Setup" button bottom left.

3 - Select the "Airport" icon in the top menu and click on the "Wireless" tab.

3a - In the "Wireless Mode:" drop-down menu select "Create a wireless network" Your network should already have a name from your initial set up.

3b -Tick the "Allow this network to be extended".

3c - Leave "Radio Mode:" and "Radio Channel Selection:" to "Automatic".

3d - Ensure "Wireless Security:" is set to "WPA2 Personal". Ensure you enter a password and the "Keychain" box is ticked.

3e - Click on the "Wireless Network Options" button. Leave the "5 GHZ Network Name:" unticked, Select Australia from the "Country:" list. Leave everything else at their default settings. Click the "Done" button.

4 - Click on the "Update" button bottom right and wait for the TC to restart and you have a green light on the TC and in the left column next to the TC in AU.

The TC base station is now set up.

If this is the first time you have used your AX:

1 - Plug your AX into a power supply close to your TC and main computer, this way you can watch the indicator light on the AX without having to run backwards and forwards between its final resting place and the TC base station.

2 - Open Airport Utility (AU) from the Applications/Utilities folder. After a some seconds the AX should appear on the left and be high lighted. Carry out all updates if indicated by AU.

3 - With the AX high lighted click the "Continue" button bottom right and following the on screen instructions. Once finished click "Update" and wait for the AX to restart and you have a green light on the AX and in the left column next to the AX in AU.

4 - If you wish to also use the AX to wirelessly play music through to your Home Theatre or powered speaker system, ensure you place a tick in the iTunes box during this set up process.

To set up a AX Remote Base Station in a 802.11n Network

1 - With the Airport Status activated in the Menu Bar, click on it and ensure there is a tick next to your network.

2 - High light the AX in the left column of AU and click on the "Manual Setup" button bottom left.

3 - Select the "Airport" icon in the top menu and click on the "Wireless" tab.

4 - In the "Wireless Mode:" drop-down menu select "Extend wireless network" Ensure the network name matches the TC base station network name - this is a must. The entire network and all devices attached to it must have the same name. Enter your password.

5 - If you want to connect more AX devices tick the "Allow wireless clients:" box.

6 - Click on the "Update" button bottom right and wait for the AX to restart and you have a green light on the AX and in the left column next to the AX in AU.

To set up a Main WDS Station in a 802.11g network:

NOTE: If you wish to create a 802.11g WDS there are two un　　documented steps involving the "Option" key you need to know about within the following set up guide.

1 - After you have selected the "Wireless" tab, hold down the "Option" key whilst clicking on the "Wireless Mode:" drop down menu. Two more selections will appear - "Join a wireless network" and "Participate in a WDS network". Select the WDS option.

2 - Again, holding down the "Option" key select the "Radio Mode" drop down menu and a further eleven 802.11 protocol options will be made available.

3 - Now select the WDS tab and ensure that "WDS main" appears in the "WDS Mode" menu.

4 - Place a tick in the "Allow wireless clients" box

5 - In the "WDS Remote:" box enter the Apple ID numbers of each of the Airport Remotes you wish to set up, by clicking the + button each time. You may also enter a description to help you identify the alphanumeric codes. These codes can be cut pasted from the "Summary" page of each device listed in the left column. They can also be found on each of the devices. Use a magnifying glass to read them.

6 - Click "Update" to save these changes to the TC base station.

To set up a Remote or Relay WDS Station in a 802.11g network:

First, here’s the difference between a remote and a relay station:
Remote Stations allow wireless clients (computers, iPhones, other devices) to connect to them.
Relay Stations do this, too, but they also allow other remote and relay stations to connect to them to extend the internet signal even further. Hence the name “relay.”

1 - Follow steps #1-2 from “To set up a Main WDS Station in a 802.11g network:” If you have performed a hard reset on each device, remember that each one will have its own wireless network name, so you’ll have to connect to each network individually to set up each base station.

Note: To perform a hard reset, I used the provided iPhone SIM card slot pin. A paper clip will do though. Insert and count to ten or until the light flashes orange quickly. The hard reset button can be found on the back of the TC and next to the sockets on the AX.

2 - In following steps #1-2, you are going to have to put in the wireless name, password, and encryption from the main base station in the “Wireless” tab and select “Participate in a WDS network” from the Wireless Mode pop-up menu by holding down the "Option" key, remember.

3 - Now select the “WDS” tab to add this base station to the main one:
.
4 - Under “WDS Mode” select “WDS relay” or “WDS remote.”

5 - In the "WDS Main:" box enter the ID number of the TC "Main WDS Station"

5 - If you selected “WDS remote” from the WDS Mode pop-up, you’ll notice there is no “WDS Remotes” box below the “WDS Main” box. This is because you cannot connect additional base stations to WDS remote stations. If you selected “WDS relay,” however, the box appears, and you can enter the AirPort IDs and a descriptive of remote or relay stations that will connect to this particular relay station to get its internet connection.

6 - Click on the "Update" button bottom right and wait for the AX to restart and you have a green light on the AX and in the left column next to the AX in AU.

Now place your AX in the desired location and carry out any Home Theatre connections.

You should now have either a working 802.11n network or a WDS 8.2.11g network.

Initially I was only achieving one to two bars on my iPhone in the front room. I now have three bars consistently throughout the flat and slowly tapering off a good 50 meters down the street in line of sight.

To stream music from iTunes over your network:

1 - Ensure you have the latest version of iTunes. Open up iTunes - Preferences - Devices and place tick in "Allow iTunes control from remote speakers" Click OK

2 - In the bottom right of the main iTunes window will appear a black double chevron WiFi symbol. Click on this and select your network speakers. The symbol will change to blue and the network name will appear in the status bar.

3 - Select a tune and start playing and sound should now be heard through your remote system. Click on the symbol again and a set of volume sliders will appear.

4 - By downloading from the iTunes App store the "Remote.app" and in installing it on either or both of your iOS iPhone or/and iPad devices you can control your iTunes library remotely. This is a great way to impress your techno luddite friends.

Well I hope these instructions help you in setting up a Home Network using Apples Time Capsule and Airport Express. If you wish to insert non Apple products into this mix then you will have to do further research.

All of this information I sourced from the internet and Apples manuals and knowledge bases. I especially wish to point out "Mac Guru Lounge" for their large contribution to this article.

If there are any mistakes or additions people find or want to add please do so.

Cheers.

Last edited by FineWine; 8th April 2011 at 12:44 AM.