Steps for Configuring Time Capsule

The following steps outline how to configure Time Capsule as a wireless client and password protect it. 

Please note:  During this initial start-up period, the unit is unprotected by passwords, so anyone can connect to and configure it.  If you have the opportunity to do this initial configuration at home prior to bringing the unit to campus, that would be a best practice for security reasons.

Steps:

1. Locate AirPort Utility in the Application/Utilities folder on your computer.
   
2. Double-click on the AirPort Utility to configure your Time Capsule as a client.
   
   
   
3. Select Continue.
   
   
   
4. You will be prompted to switch wireless networks.  Select Switch.
5. On the next screen, enter a strong password in the Time Capsule Password field.  For security purposes, please use a password that is NOT your Andrew password.
6. Select the Use a different password to secure disks checkbox if there is any possibility that you'll want to allow someone else to have access to your Time Capsule disk.  If you select this box, you will be prompted to add a separate secure password for outside users.  Again - do NOT use your Andrew password, but chose a high quality password.
   
   
   
7. Select Continue.
8. Select I have a wireless network.
   
   
   
9. Select Continue.
10. On this screen, for use on campus, you MUST select the “I want Time Capsule to wirelessly join my current network” option, NOT the default option.
    
    
    
11. Select Continue.
    
12. Select the wireless network that you would like Time Capsule to join.
    a.    If you are at home – your wireless home network should present as an option.
    b.    If your goal is to connect it on campus – type in CMU with a security method of None.
    
    
    
13. Select Continue.
14. You will be presented with a series of summary screens.  Review the information for accuracy.
    
    
    
15. Select Update.
    
16. Your device will be temporarily unavailable.  Select Continue.
    
17. Select Done.
18. When you arrive on campus, you will need to register the "AirPort ID", just as you would register the wireless Ethernet address of your laptop. http://www.cmu.edu/computing/network/wire/wireless.html  The address you will need to register, can be found on the AirPort Utility primary screen, as well as the initial discovery screen.
    
    
    
19. Caution: When your Time Capsule connects to the network, it will advertise its availability locally. Due to the seamless wireless environment we have on campus, this means that everyone on wireless will see the announcement.  Any users who have enabled the AirPort Disk Utility, or the Leopard Time Machine function will get a dialog box asking if they'd like to connect to your Time Capsule. This is why it is imperative that you select a strong password, and use a separate password for the disk access as opposed to the administration password for the unit.