Apple Time Capsule as WiFi Extender over Ethernet

Problem

Use an Apple Time capsule as a second WiFi network in an existing network configuration if WAN port is unavailable. For example, a home network having areas with low signal coverage may use a second WiFi network from Apple Time Capsule by plugging it into a network switch. Apple Time Capsule does not support Mesh Networking. Therefore, it is not possible to use it as a Mesh Extender with the same SSID as your primary WiFi. But you can create a secondary wireless network with a new SSID and use it as an independent WiFi network in addition to your primary router’s wireless network.

Solution

1. Reset your Time Capsule if needed to start from scratch.
2. Power up the Time Capsule.
3. Plug an Ethernet cable from your switch into one of the many Ethernet ports on the Time Capsule. DO NOT PLUG into the WAN port (the one with a circle icon).
4. Open AirPort Utility and set up a standard WiFi Network.
5. Update and let the Time Capsule restart.
6. Once it is back online, open AirPort Utility again.
7. Click Time Capsule Icon > Edit > Network and select Bridged Mode.
8. Update and let the Time Capsule restart.

Once restarted, a new WiFi network will be available with the ethernet as backplane to talk to your WiFi router. The speed of this new network will not be reduced since full wireless bandwidth is available just for data transfer.