James Dobosiewicz asks:
Is there a way to use AirPort Time Capsule for wireless backup only—that is, without using it as a wireless router too? I already have a non-Apple Wi-Fi router in use, and do not want to replace it quite yet.
Yes, absolutely. You can connect the Time Capsule via ethernet to the rest of the network via its WAN port, and it will be available to any computer that connects to the network, whether that Mac is using Wi-Fi or not.
In AirPort Utility, you can disable a base station offering Wi-Fi service.
Launch Applications > Utilities > AirPort Utility.
Select your base station and click the Edit button.
Enter the base station’s administrative password, if prompted.
Click the Wireless tab.
From the Network Mode pop-up menu, select Off.
Click Update, and the base station will restart and load the new settings.
You can disable a Wi-Fi on Apple’s base stations via the Wireless tab in AirPort Utility.
When and if you’re ready to use the Time Capsule to act as a Wi-Fi base station, follow the above steps and in step 5, choose Create a Wireless Network for a standalone network or one that’s connected to others via ethernet, or Extend a Wireless Network to make the Time Capsule connect wirelessly to another base station that acts as the main hub on the network, and is connected to a broadband modem.
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Author: Glenn Fleishman, Senior Contributor
Glenn Fleishman’s most recent books include Take Control of iOS and iPadOS Privacy and Security, Take Control of Calendar and Reminders, and Take Control of Securing Your Mac. In his spare time, he writes about printing and type history. He’s a senior contributor to Macworld, where he writes Mac 911.