Looks like people are starting to get their hands on the Time Capsules. I'm considering getting one to use as a NAS. Primarily I'm looking to replace my lacie fw400 external drive that I use to store video_ts folders and 720p/1080p mkv content that I view on my 1.83 c2d mini.

I'm hoping that a wired gigabit ethernet connection to the TC will give me at least the same transfer speed as the external fw400 drive (20-25mb/s). Would be great if someone who's got one could report on typical transfer speeds and also their experience in using this to play HD video files directly from it.

Thanks

/d

it's a shame on Apple!
They advertised this capability with the Airport Basestation n just before Leopard release! Many people bought a new ABS for that reason and then they pulled that feature just before release.
On their forum thereafter they are deleting all threads about it!
Shame on Apple.

it's a shame on Apple!
They advertised this capability with the Airport Basestation n just before Leopard release! Many people bought a new ABS for that reason and then they pulled that feature just before release.
On their forum thereafter they are deleting all threads about it!
Shame on Apple.

I bought a new ab less than a year ago in hopes i would be able to do this
first time apple stung me.Hope this is not a trend.

I've got 2 Capsules that have shipped - should get them next week sometime... I'm looking for similar setup with them - shared iTunes, iPhoto libraries etc.

ken

I've got 2 Capsules that have shipped - should get them next week sometime... I'm looking for similar setup with them - shared iTunes, iPhoto libraries etc.

ken
I am wondering how slow mine would be since i would have to stay g instead
of n and if it would be worth it for me.

I am wondering how slow mine would be since i would have to stay g instead
of n and if it would be worth it for me.

really hard to say, oztech. I've been streaming g video with only an occasional hiccup; Others have reported no issues and still others substantial frame drops. Almost everyone I've seen post has no problems with 'n' speeds (or wired of course). Likely it depends on signal strength and other factors that are individual. However, one consideration - if you run 'g' devices using the wireless you have now, a new capsule could be dedicated to the ATV and configured for 'n' only - just a thought...

ken

really hard to say, oztech. I've been streaming g video with only an occasional hiccup; Others have reported no issues and still others substantial frame drops. Almost everyone I've seen post has no problems with 'n' speeds (or wired of course). Likely it depends on signal strength and other factors that are individual. However, one consideration - if you run 'g' devices using the wireless you have now, a new capsule could be dedicated to the ATV and configured for 'n' only - just a thought...

ken

Thought of that but i wanted to partition the drive and use time machine
may have to wait on reviews with g platform and tm.

So it's definitely possible to use the Time Capsule as a NAS? It isn't clear from Apple's website.

Any word yet on whether it's possible to attach more storage to the USB2 port?

This (http://www.flickr.com/photos/24254876@N03/sets/72157604011791554/) may answer some of your questions.

Any word yet on whether it's possible to attach more storage to the USB2 port?[/QUOTE]


According to Apples website it is possible to attach even multiple drives using a USB hub. I should know more later this week.

Apparently, not only can you attach drives to the USB port, but you can even back up to those attached drives via Time Machine.

http://www.appleinsider.com/articles/08/03/04/apple_time_capsule_unboxing_and_preview.html

ken

it's a shame on Apple! They advertised this capability with the Airport Basestation n just before Leopard release! Many people bought a new ABS for that reason and then they pulled that feature just before release. On their forum thereafter they are deleting all threads about it! Shame on Apple.

I just came across a post on another Web site regarding this Apple promise, but can no longer remember the URL. Apparently, someone found a cached version of Apple's original ad for the "n" Airport base station. They discovered that while it did tout the USB hard drive capability (among others), the ad also said "features subject to change" or something like that...

I just came across a post on another Web site regarding this Apple promise, but can no longer remember the URL. Apparently, someone found a cached version of Apple's original ad for the "n" Airport base station. They discovered that while it did tout the USB hard drive capability (among others), the ad also said "features subject to change" or something like that...

Well, understood.
But this was an advertised item, pre-announced that resulted in selling many ABS n and then only after installing Leopard it was realized that it was vapor! That is unacceptable.

The Apple Time Capsule is a very attractive option for someone who'd like to upgrade to Gig-Ethernet, Wireless-N, and add some extra storage all at once. But I haven't any found any reviews yet where the data-transfer rate (over Gig-E) has been really put to the test. If it can't stream HD media, then it has little value except as a backup device...

I received my time capsule yesterday and here is what little i have learned. I did a very unscientific transfer speed check with a 2.35gig mpeg2 movie file. All tests were done wired because my one wireless N test crashed so I gave up on it. I don't plan on using wireless for anything HTPC related. It took exactly 3 minutes to transfer the file to the built in 500g hard drive on the time capsule. It took 4 1/2 minutes to transfer the same file to a 500g Western Digital My Book Studio drive attached to the time capsule via USB. The same file took 45 seconds to transfer to the WD drive using firewire 800 when it is attached to my IMAC. All files were transferred from the 250g internal drive on my IMAC.
The time capsule is HOT literally. If you want to keep your coffee warm indefinitely set it on top of this thing. I have owned over a dozen external hard drives and this one is the hottest. It also emits a low wine all the time. It does not seem to go into any kind of sleep mode and is constantly on.
I was able to to watch a 1080i .ts file from the WD drive while it was hooked up via USB to the time capsule without any problems.

My main concerns are the heat and the drive or any drives attached via USB not ever powering down. In my situation this might be because I have my Vonage phone modem down stream of the time capsule and it is always polling the network. I don't know if it even has a standby feature?

All in all it would be good device to use to backup your mac with time machine.;)

here's a good explanation regarding file sharing:
http://www.appleinsider.com/articles/08/03/06/teardown_a_look_inside_apples_time_capsule_backup_appliance. html&page=1

Looks like full file sharing allowed - even across platforms; Looks like to me you can Kiss Your NAS Goodbye with this thing (sorry - couldn't resist);

ken

My 1TB TC showed up yesterday, after forgetting to pre-sign for it on Tuesday (Argh). Off the bat, setup was simple and totally Apple.

I initially chose to replace my existing wireless G router/network with the TC, but only after completely setting it up and taking down the Linksys router did I discover that the WEP encryption is odd in the TC. My 26 digit 128 bit encrypted key isn't valid on the TC, and as I'm far too lazy to change my encryption to WPA across all my devices, I reinstalled the Linksys wireless G router and created a second wireless N network via the TC. The TC is in bridge mode daisychained to the Linksys router, so in all reality I just increased my available LAN ports by three. Yay.

My first backup of 66GB from a macbook took a little over 4 hours and I've shared files via the TC to several different computers in the house with no problems.

All in all, after about 24 hours with the Time Capsule, I'm tickled pink with it. Tonight I'm going to tether another terabyte of storage via USB and check out some streaming video from it.

One last thing: due to the combination of the TC's and my macbook's rather long names, the TC currently shows up as "Nathan's...arsebundle" in my list of mounted drives. :)

My 26 digit 128 bit encrypted key isn't valid on the TC

If it's 26 characters it's hexadecimal and you just need to convert (http://www.dolcevie.com/js/converter.html) it to ASCII to work on the TC.

So can one put all their i-tunes music, videos and photos on this device and have an appletv access the content without firing up the computer?

Has anyone used the TC with a 802g mac and is it slow.

Has anyone used the TC with a 802g mac and is it slow.

I tried it over 802.11g (initial backup was over 100baseT) from my MBP to my iMac. This was with 10.5.0, IIRC. It was useless. The machine ground to a halt whenever the backup would run. I just turned it off.

Just got my capsules and still working with them; but so far working great for me as a NAS type setup; Shares iTunes, iPhoto libs to all ; One thing I like is the automatic attachment by computers on the network; I have 1 Capsule as a wireless and a 2nd hardwired to the first - AppleTV hardwired to the first. Everything works great - but haven't tested everything of course...

For those who have asked - If you stream to AppleTV from the Capsule you still need to have the servicing iTunes running (doesn't work to sleep it) - I'm guessing later this year Apple is going to pull all this together in a comprehensive home-life product that doesn't require a Personal Computer (mac or pc) at all... Just my thinking...

ken

For those who have asked - If you stream to AppleTV from the Capsule you still need to have the servicing iTunes running (doesn't work to sleep it) - I'm guessing later this year Apple is going to pull all this together in a comprehensive home-life product that doesn't require a Personal Computer (mac or pc) at all... Just my thinking...


Not the answer I'd like to see in the here and now. Hope they fill that hole. Thanks for checking it out.

Did some one try this with PS3? wired or wireless?

The time capsule is HOT literally. If you want to keep your coffee warm indefinitely set it on top of this thing. I have owned over a dozen external hard drives and this one is the hottest. It also emits a low wine all the time. It does not seem to go into any kind of sleep mode and is constantly on. I checked out Time Capsule at my local Apple Store last week. You weren't kidding about it running hot. When I commented about how hot it was the sales staff said, "Yes, but you can warm your coffee on it."

Don't waste your time looking for an EnergyStar symbol on Time Capsule! I really wonder what its lifespan will be given scorching internal temperatures.

i have 2 of the 1TB Capsules - they run very warm, although less hot than the AppleTv!

a side comment for those considering TC-NAS; Mine works very well in this regard; however presently you can't use Time Machine to backup the files stored on TC (at least I can't find a mechanism for it); In other words, Time Machine doesn't see TC drives as a source drive, only as a destination for Time Machine backups of internal or attached drives.

If you want to backup the files on your TC, use Backup (Apple utility) or 3rd party solution...

ken

Blog reports today are showing that the AirDisk on AEBS (and maybe also for USB drives connected to TC) are not officially supported for backups...

http://www.powerpage.org/2008/04/the_apple_core_apple_may_have_unsupported_the_airdisk.html

Apple's really getting mud on its face for this one...

Zim,

That's not shocking news. Quoting from the Apple Core article:

Contributing Editor Glenn Fleishman said lack of support “means is that if you attempt to use an 802.11n AirPort Extreme Base Station for Time Machine backup, you won’t get any help from Apple’s technical support. Why should users expect Apple, Inc., to provide tech support for their various third party drives? Many of the USB drives out there are pure junk. I don't blame Apple for not wanting to support them. I don't recall Apple ever promising support for every brand of third party drive and cable on the market. It's a support nightmare.

That said, Air Disk may well work with many third party drives. YMMV.

My biggest complaint about Time Capsule continues to be its 24/7 heat dissipation. That adds up to a lot of costly electric bills over the years -- especially during the summer months with the AC on.

Zim,

That's not shocking news. Quoting from the Apple Core article:

Why should users expect Apple, Inc., to provide tech support for their various third party drives? Many of the USB drives out there are pure junk. I don't blame Apple for not wanting to support them. I don't recall Apple ever promising support for every brand of third party drive and cable on the market. It's a support nightmare.

That said, Air Disk may well work with many third party drives. YMMV.

The problem with that position is that afaik that using external drives on TC for TM backups is supported.

To split hairs, I think we're using two different definitions of the word "support." Yes, Air Disk supports (works with) external drives. No, Apple Inc., doesn't support (troubleshoot) a bunch of third party drives, many of which do not adhere to nebulous and self-contradictory USB2 guidelines. For instance, USB drives are notorious for drawing different amounts of DC power. Some 2.5" USB drives use funky 'Y' cables to draw power off two USB ports. It's a nightmare for Apple if they open the door to troubleshoot all these scenarios.

Zim,

That's not shocking news. Quoting from the Apple Core article:

Why should users expect Apple, Inc., to provide tech support for their various third party drives? Many of the USB drives out there are pure junk. I don't blame Apple for not wanting to support them. I don't recall Apple ever promising support for every brand of third party drive and cable on the market. It's a support nightmare.

That said, Air Disk may well work with many third party drives. YMMV.

My biggest complaint about Time Capsule continues to be its 24/7 heat dissipation. That adds up to a lot of costly electric bills over the years -- especially during the summer months with the AC on.

I tracked down the 1st article I saw about it

http://db.tidbits.com/article/9547

which is moreso why I posted... in that, the author speculates the feature was enabled by mistake.. which raises the question of whether that mistake would be corrected.. its one thing if its YMMV, its another if Apple ends up removing it. Again, this is all speculation simply trying to let folks know what was being said so they could make their own decision. This has nothing to do with 3rd party quality, only what Apple chooses to enable/disable.

well if you have any doubt (and I would say anyone should), just assume they don't support it and move on with your decision. If you want to support it yourself, then go for it. If not, use a Capsule;

ken

i have 2 of the 1TB Capsules - they run very warm, although less hot than the AppleTv!

Got a 1 TB (how did I talk myself into the upgrade) last night. Using it as a NAS, nice to have the space.

Ken - do you stack your TCs and or ATV? I am planning on getting a 160 GB ATV in a few weeks when I settle in to the new house, and would prefer to stack the TC and ATV if heat isn't a problem. They will be in a well ventillated space.

I honestly wouldn't put my 160GB aTV on top of the Time Capsule. I have an AEB on my TC and I think even that's a bit too much for the TC.

I'm all for stacking components to save space, but anytime I slide back the glass door that hides my 160GB aTV, I'm amazed just how much heat that sucker alone generates.

Got a 1 TB (how did I talk myself into the upgrade) last night. Using it as a NAS, nice to have the space.

Ken - do you stack your TCs and or ATV? I am planning on getting a 160 GB ATV in a few weeks when I settle in to the new house, and would prefer to stack the TC and ATV if heat isn't a problem. They will be in a well ventillated space.

I've run it both ways (ATV stacked on top of 2 TCs ; and ATV next to 2 TCs);
I'm in an open well vented space - both configurations seems fine; However, I would agree with Nathan, if you're in a cabinet or can just place them side by side, I would recommend that. The ATV really does run pretty warm - especially on it's top. If you do stack - put the ATV on top; I did that for a while and it was fine in open air; But I like the look of side-by-side better (actually the wife does!) - That seems a little cooler overall and probably better for long term TC health...

ken

The ATV really does run pretty warm

That's accurate, if you would describe the scorching heat of a thousand suns as "pretty warm." ATV gets HOT.

That's accurate, if you would describe the scorching heat of a thousand suns as "pretty warm." ATV gets HOT.

Kidman and Jolie, WATCHED via ATV are HOT...
ATV is 'pretty warm'

ken
:)

Can some one guide me to details, how and what kind of external hard drive I can connect to my time capsule to piggy back?
thnx

Considering the TC as an NAS for iTunes, movies etc.

Can multiple Mac's not only use this shared library, but also allow each user to sync their iPod/iPhone from their own Mac? (only 2 of us)

And what drawbacks are there to having a single shared library?

Thanks,

Considering the TC as an NAS for iTunes, movies etc.

Can multiple Mac's not only use this shared library, but also allow each user to sync their iPod/iPhone from their own Mac? (only 2 of us)

And what drawbacks are there to having a single shared library?

Thanks,

Yes - multiple Macs can share common media files that make up the library. However, you'll likely use a separate 'iTunes Library' file on each of your machines. This file contains the index information on where to find the common media (music, movie, podcasts, etc.) stored on your Capsule. Set this location up the iTunes Preferences on each machine.

This setup should allow each to sync you're iPod/iPhones via your respective Macs (I haven't verified it, but I will later today and post here to confirm).

Drawbacks:
When one computer purchases or otherwise adds new media files to the Capsule, the other computer's 'Library' index file won't register it, unless you specifically do so with the 'Add to Library..." command.

Time Machine won't source file for backup that are on a Time Capsule (I expect this to be a feature fix sometime in the future). To backup your TC media files you'll need to use Apple Backup or other 3rd party backup routine.

I haven't experienced any other drawbacks - others may have some...


zoro - Any USB drive can be connected; I haven't done this myself. I simply added a second Time Capsule and connected to the first via ethernet. A fast and better approach I think, unless perhaps you already have a USB drive you're trying to use...

ken

OK - just verified; You can sync your iPod/iPhone (I used iPhone in my test) to YOUR Mac running iTunes and 'HER' iPod/iPhone to 'HER' Mac running iTunes; Both of which are accessing the same Media files on a Time Capsule;

Each though, using their own 'Library' (index file) located on their respective Mac.

ken

Thanks kenliles - appreciate your time.

oro - Any USB drive can be connected; I haven't done this myself. I simply added a second Time Capsule and connected to the first via ethernet. A fast and better approach I think, unless perhaps you already have a USB drive you're trying to use...

ken

yes! indeed Ken! my drive is NTFS and it was calling it error!

I might think of doing same adding another one in the long run. Is there any way to improve data transfer speed to my desktop?

Right now it is connected to my 2wre through ethernet and speed is awfully slow!

yes! indeed Ken! my drive is NTFS and it was calling it error!

I might think of doing same adding another one in the long run. Is there any way to improve data transfer speed to my desktop?

Right now it is connected to my 2wre through ethernet and speed is awfully slow!

Your 2Wire is likely not Gigabit Ethernet; The Time Capsule is - you could maximize throughput by using Gigabit ethernet from your desktop (if it supports it) to the Time Capsule directly...

ken

Your 2Wire is likely not Gigabit Ethernet; The Time Capsule is - you could maximize throughput by using Gigabit ethernet from your desktop (if it supports it) to the Time Capsule directly...

ken

my computer does have a gigabit Ethernet, so should I plug my pc via Ethernet to time capsule, instead of 2wire? Do I need o reconfigure TC to act as router or will it automatically adjust it?

my computer does have a gigabit Ethernet, so should I plug my pc via Ethernet to time capsule, instead of 2wire? Do I need o reconfigure TC to act as router or will it automatically adjust it?

yes - try plugging your DSL 2Wire into the Capsule's WAN port for Internet access. Then wire your computer directly to one of your Capsule's LAN ports.

ken

yes - try plugging your DSL 2Wire into the Capsule's WAN port for Internet access. Then wire your computer directly to one of your Capsule's LAN ports.

ken

Thanks! I'll try that. I bet I'll be on gigabit connection then.

I have plugged in my ps3 right now directly into time capsule, and I can play back every thing from my PC hard drive and time capsule via tversity.:D

I have connected a FAT32 WD EXT Hard drive to TC via USB! It is not complaining this time! But I can not see it any where?

How could I see?:confused:

I have connected a FAT32 WD EXT Hard drive to TC via USB! It is not complaining this time! But I can not see it any where?

How could I see?:confused:

I haven't done this myself, but on the Apple support forum here:
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?messageID=7146442�

the answer given to your question is as follows:
"make sure in Airport Utility, for the TC, that you've said to share the USB disk.
Then, in a finder window, under the 'Shared' section on the left, you should see the name you've called your TC unit. Click it, then you should have the option of either mounting your TC drive, or the USB drive(s) connected and shared on it. Only downside is that you can't drag a shortcut to the side bar and keep it after it's unmounted... "


ken

can some one help me how to daisy chain two of these capsules as NAS

can some one help me how to daisy chain two of these capsules as NAS

Connect via Ethernet:
Time Capsule 1 to your Internet Connection via it's WAN port;
and to your PC/Mac server via one of it's LAN ports (<-->). (You can also connect to an ATV via another LAN port)

'Daisy-Chain' Time Capsule 2 to your Time Capsule 1 via LAN ports on both; Doesn't matter which LAN ports you use - just use a short cable going from one to the other.

In you Airport setup - you'll want to turn Wireless mode 'OFF' on one of them. Other settings are pretty nominal I believe.

ken

Connect via Ethernet:
Time Capsule 1 to your Internet Connection via it's WAN port;
and to your PC/Mac server via one of it's LAN ports (<-->). (You can also connect to an ATV via another LAN port)

'Daisy-Chain' Time Capsule 2 to your Time Capsule 1 via LAN ports on both; Doesn't matter which LAN ports you use - just use a short cable going from one to the other.

In you Airport setup - you'll want to turn Wireless mode 'OFF' on one of them. Other settings are pretty nominal I believe.

ken
thanks! would I be able to see both on my pc?

thanks! would I be able to see both on my pc?

I would think iTunes on Windows would see them if they are set as share drives - But we need someone else to answer for Windows and any nuances there - I'm strictly Mac now for many years...

anybody?

ken

My new Time Capsule is turning out to be a pretty good NAS. In addition to backups from Time Machine, I use it from within my VMware Fusion XP installation to backup my Quicken 2008 for Windows data files. I also have all of my MP4 movie files on the TC. They are linked to iTunes on my MacBook Pro via alias files and synced to my Apple TV. This arrangement has worked like a charm.

The only downside to using TM for MP4 movie files has been that I can’t figure out a way to get Handbrake to send the files it rips from my DVDs and converts to MP4 format directly to the TM. Consequently, I have to save the original MP4 files Handbrake creates to my MacBook Pro, then copy them to the TC, and, finally, delete them from the MB Pro.

You can get Windows to see the TM by identifying it by the TM’s IP address as follows: \\198.162.x.x. If you wish you can refine it by adding the folder name as part of the address. For example, \\192.168.x.x\Quicken Backups. You can find the TM’s IP address in Airport Utility.

Folks, as an external drive for backups via Time Machine the TC is probably a good solution. However, I could not imagine using it as a NAS without the ability to back up the hoardes of data (all of my iTunes and ripped audio, video, pics of the family, etc.) that I would expect to put on a NAS.

I've looked at other NAS that include RAID/mirroring capabilities, which essentially protect your data from the failure of a drive in the NAS. However, the TC is a one-drive device. If the drive fails, everything is lost. :confused:

Given reports on this and other forums of high running temperatures, the risk of significant data lost is especially high. In effect, you are trading the higher risk of loss of smaller amounts of decentralized data stored on an array of computers for the potential for *substantial* data loss by centralizing your files when using this device as a NAS. Seems a risky proposition to me...

Are there any RAID/mirroring hacks for this device? Could one mirror across two TC's easily?

unhookt -- I don't know of any RAID solution that could be used with a TC. I backup the movie files stored on my TC to a FireWire drive attached to another computer on my network but I have to do it manually. As I customarily rip and convert only one disk at a time, manually copying one of them to the FW drive is not onerous but it's not elegant, either.

the airport utility that configures the TC, provides for a single click mirrored-archive to an attached usb drive. I do this every few months; In addition, the Apple 'Backup' utility will automatically create daily incremental backup of the TC to any disk on your network.

I do both of these - works great with one exception. When performing the Archive backup (which can take a full day) - TC based wireless internet access is very slow. Since 'Backup' of daily changes is so short , the effect from that procedure is non-existent since I schedule it for 2am automation.

I do wish Time Machine would allow backup of a TC (soon I hope) because I like Time Machine better than Backup. But for now Backup works just fine...

ken

Speaking of backups, Time Machine and my Time Capsule saved me yesterday. The Windows XP that I use in VMware Fusion became corrupted when Service Pack 3 failed to complete the installation process. Even after starting up Windows in Safe Mode, after the failed installation of SP 3, I got nothing but a black screen.

Fortunately, I have made periodic, although not daily, backups of my VMware virtual partition, so I was able to restore a three week old backup of it and copy it over the version of the VMware partition containing the corrupted Windows installation.

The only downside to the TC is that it is excruciatingly slow, thus it took nearly two hours to restore the 7.5 GB VMware fusion virtual partition, although I have an 802.11n network. Later I copied a 3 gig MP4 file from my MacBook Pro to the TC and it took 38 minutes. When I copied the same file to a FireWire drive attached to a desktop Windows machine, it took only 16 minutes. What's wrong with this picture?

no redundancy = dangerous NAS solution

I might go a bit further:

redundancy without backup = still a dangerous NAS solution

I've looked at other NAS that include RAID/mirroring capabilities, which essentially protect your data from the failure of a drive in the NAS

Even with a RAID 1 mirror or a RAID 5 NAS--your data is only protected from a single drive failure--which is still potentially dangerous to rely on by itself because redundancy is not backup.

Say you had set up a RAID 1/mirror, well, there are plenty of quirky things that could happen which would take both drives down simultaneously--not that both drives themselves are likely to fail at exactly the same time--but a lightning strike or power surge, a power interruption, something screws up the bridge, RAID controller or chipset in the enclosure which means you might lose access to both drives, if something corrupts the data on one drive, or is accidentally erased on one drive...in RAID 1...the other drive is also equally corrupted and erased, etc.

Given reports on this and other forums of high running temperatures, the risk of significant data lost is especially high. In effect, you are trading the higher risk of loss of smaller amounts of decentralized data stored on an array of computers for the potential for *substantial* data loss by centralizing your files when using this device as a NAS. Seems a risky proposition to me...

It sure is, but only if you don't understand that any drive can fail at any time--no matter where it is or what it is doing even with a fan to cool it. Once you accept that, it's actually fairly easy and inexpensive to put some protective measures in place. But, you need an overall strategy, in which a "NAS" and/or Time Machine and/or a Time Capsule plays a role. Many of us here feel there's real value and convenience in having content centralized--you just have to be smart about it. One issue you're faced with right away--do you want the same drive/device--in this case a TC--to store and serve up all that centralized content (music, pics, movies, etc) and ALSO be the Time Machine destination volumes for all of your local Macs? That adds risk--maybe it's better for the TC drive just to do the TM backups?

Personally, I don't think using Time Machine is enough--sure, TM on TC is nice and convenient, just doing its thing in the background, and it's especially valuable for anyone with laptops in the house--but I think you're also better off doing SuperDuper backup clones for any of your important Macs. That way, by booting off your SuperDuper backup volume, you can be back up and running in minutes rather than the hours it would take to restore that Mac from TM. So, perhaps consider an overall strategy which takes advantage of the strengths of both TM and SuperDuper.

as an external drive for backups via Time Machine the TC is probably a good solution. However, I could not imagine using it as a NAS without the ability to back up the hoardes of data (all of my iTunes and ripped audio, video, pics of the family, etc.) that I would expect to put on a NAS.

good, you shouldn't.

However, with a basic TC your "hoard" of data is limited to 500GB or 1TB--which you'll soon find isn't actually that much of hoard when it comes to the home theater types around here. My music, alone, barely fits on a 500GB drive. But, as Ken said, it's pretty easy to clone your whole TC to another drive (or drives) via USB.

I don't know of any RAID solution that could be used with a TC.

RAID isn't necessarily needed or helpful in this...but anything that could be plugged into an ethernet port or USB could conceivably be used to supplement a TC. You could plug a Drobo into a TC, for instance.

There are very affordable external two drive enclosures that could be connected to a TC over USB--which can do RAID 1 or JBOD. Unhookt, this is probably the easiest way for you to get some of the "redundancy" and "backup" you're after for your very essential TC drive. Stick a big SATA drive that's the same size as your TC in something like this Icy Box:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817714042

plug it in over USB, back up the TC w/ SuperDuper, then remove that drive for safe keeping--or even clone that drive to a third drive, and take it off-site for even safer keeping. What I like about this cheap Icy Box is it doesn't have trays--you just slide bare drives in and close the door, it's JBOD so you can swap drives in and out at will, it's quiet, with a fan that's user adjustable. I think I paid $55 for it, put it through its paces, then passed it on to my mother-in-law to use with her Intel iMac..

As your content needs grow, just slide bigger drives in. Anyway, hope some of that makes sense as you figure out a strategy and a budget that's gonna work for you...

One issue you're faced with right away--do you want the same drive/device--in this case a TC--to store and serve up all that centralized content (music, pics, movies, etc) and ALSO be the Time Machine destination volumes for all of your local Macs? That adds risk--maybe it's better for the TC drive just to do the TM backups?


I certainly found this to be true and ended up with a second TC for Time Machine backups of the local macs, separate from the media content TC...

excellent round-up chef - thanks;

ken