The 768GB Flash Storage $1300 club

[kapalua12]

Thanks. I am using Time Capsule as my router BUT with the addition of a second iMac this week, the existing 1TB Time Capsule will probably not have enough capacity to back up both iMacs.

Can a Time Capsule be configured to even backup 2 different iMacs??

Also, with CC Cloner, you're connecting to your Mac via USB?
DOes CC Cloner make a bootable backup of your iMac and then incremental backups after that?

Sorry for the basic questions.

[flynz4]

Originally Posted by kapalua12

Thanks. I am using Time Capsule as my router BUT with the addition of a second iMac this week, the existing 1TB Time Capsule will probably not have enough capacity to back up both iMacs.

Can a Time Capsule be configured to even backup 2 different iMacs??

Also, with CC Cloner, you're connecting to your Mac via USB?
DOes CC Cloner make a bootable backup of your iMac and then incremental backups after that?

Sorry for the basic questions.

Time Capsules do not perform the backup... Time Machine does. Yes, two different computers can back up to the same Time Capsule.

/Jim

[AppleNewton]

Originally Posted by kapalua12

Thanks. I am using Time Capsule as my router BUT with the addition of a second iMac this week, the existing 1TB Time Capsule will probably not have enough capacity to back up both iMacs.

Can a Time Capsule be configured to even backup 2 different iMacs??

Also, with CC Cloner, you're connecting to your Mac via USB?
DOes CC Cloner make a bootable backup of your iMac and then incremental backups after that?

Sorry for the basic questions.

A time capsule can handle multiple mac backups. Its what it was intended for. Also with any external drive set up for time machine can be used to back up multiple macs.

CarbonCopyConer makes bootable backups but not hourly backups in the regard time machine does, id perform a bootable backup and let timemachine handle the backups.

[dandrewk]

Originally Posted by kapalua12

Also, with CC Cloner, you're connecting to your Mac via USB?
DOes CC Cloner make a bootable backup of your iMac and then incremental backups after that?

Sorry for the basic questions.

CCC is software, and can use any drive, external/internal, in whatever fashion it is connected to your Mac. Obviously, the faster connection the better - USB 3.0 or Thunderbolt will fly.

It first makes a full backup, then each succeeding backup is incremental. You can set the schedule when you want this to happen. The "cloned" backup will look identical to the drive you are cloning.

It's advisable to partition that backup drive and use one partition for the cloned backup. I use a 3tb Lacie Thunderbolt, partitioned in half. One half is for the clone, the other half holds my iTunes and movie folders, along with other data.

Once finished, if you reboot the Mac by holding the option key, you will see the cloned backup as a bootable drive. Very slick.

[flynz4]

Originally Posted by AppleNewton

CarbonCopyConer makes bootable backups but not hourly backups in the regard time machine does, id perform a bootable backup and let timemachine handle the backups.

The nice thing about a clone... is that you can continue right where you left off. It is very handy if you have a HDD crash.

I do not consider a clone to be a "true backup"... because it does not have "usable history". So while it protects you wonderfully if you your HDD crashes... it is not too useful if you have a library database corruption... since you cannot "turn back the clock". That is where Time Machine comes into play.

I use a combination of both. I use Time Machine for "real backup"... with versioning. I use CCC to make a clone. Since I have multiple computers, I do not need a clone of my entire computer. Instead, I make clones of my databases (Aperture, iTunes, iPhoto, Final Cut Pro X, iMovie, Devonthink)... so that if my primary computer crashes... I just move the databases to a new computer and continue where I left off. If you have a single computer, a clone of the entire machine is more useful than a clone of just the databases.

Finally, do not overlook automated off-site backup. In most ways... it is the most important... because it can do everything other backups can do (although more slowly)... but additionally it protects you against natural disaster or theft.

/Jim

[richard13]

Originally Posted by kapalua12

Can a Time Capsule be configured to even backup 2 different iMacs??

Time Machine can be configured on two Macs to backup to the same Time Capsule. However, at least in my experience, this doesn't work properly so I don't do it. Eventually my TC HDD gets full (which is expected) but the problem is that TM will complain that there isn't enough room to backup, not just merely delete the oldest backup and continue. I don't know why this is exactly. I am guessing the TM knows the size of the TC drive and doesn't understand why the available space is smaller than it expects and then just throws up it's hands.

[kapalua12]

Thanks for the great responses. A lot to think about. It looks like I'll need to get a larger capacity Time Capsule then as well as Carbon Copy Cloner. I have the Lacie 3TB USB3/Thunderbolt drive already so I'm good there.

Can I have two wireless networks running at the same time in the house, one from each Time Capsule and leave the faster new iMac on the new faster Time Capsule? Does that strategy make sense?

[ZMacintosh]

you should not have any problems backing up more than 1 mac to a time capsule. ive been doing it for a few years now and no problems.. have enough back-ups so you have your resources should something happen.

I'm highly considering the 768GB SSD option now, low amount of mechanical parts and some really cool thunderbolt options out there.

enjoy yours

[eattherich]

Originally Posted by DrRadon

Just get a normal version and have someone at a place that is alowed to open your iMac without voiding your warrenty build in a normal SSD... 250-500gb are already selling quiet cheap these days and you can just use your old 1TB data in an external harddrive for the data you don´t need to be able to access in a second 24/7.

I mean, if i was realy realy rich and money dident matter. Sure i would take it. But for a normal earning family man, no way.

Is this definitely an option? I never considered the idea of places being able to do this while still keeping your warranty.

[AppleNewton]

Originally Posted by EATTHERICH

Is this definitely an option? I never considered the idea of places being able to do this while still keeping your warranty.

generally Apple Authorized Service Providers can provide this out of the box option. YOu may have to go back to them for any future warranty work as an Apple Store may not allow it.

[kapalua12]

I want to thank everyone who helped explain the various backup plans with 2 computers using one Time Capsule and the use of CCC.

Today I installed the new Time Capsule and opened up and started personalizing the iMac 768 SSD. Wow, does this thing fly!

Now I need to decide if I should use the older 1 TB time Capsule to set up an extended wireless network at home or bring it to work and use it as an access point for WiFi for my MacBooks, etc.

I'm concerned that if I set up an extended wireless network at home with two time capsules it will slow network transmission down.

Anyway, I may have additional questions regarding external drives and CCC use.

Thanks.

[AppleNewton]

just ensure on the 1TB Time Capsule that its extending the network from the new Time Capsule.

You can send the lower frequencies to that time capsule through AirPort Utility, to create a solid network connection to AppleTVs, other systems and devices like iPhones and iPads. It will be one network but it will work on a lower band to not take away from other higher band wifi devices.

[eattherich]

Originally Posted by AppleNewton

generally Apple Authorized Service Providers can provide this out of the box option. YOu may have to go back to them for any future warranty work as an Apple Store may not allow it.

Would they still honour the AppleCare that I bought? I'm not desperate to upgrade the 1TB drive as I use less than 128GB so everything is currently in flash. I'd just like the option one day to replace that 1TB with something like a 512GB 840 Pro but seeing as I paid for AppleCare I don't want to throw it in the bin by ripping the iMac open.

[AppleNewton]

Originally Posted by EATTHERICH

Would they still honour the AppleCare that I bought? I'm not desperate to upgrade the 1TB drive as I use less than 128GB so everything is currently in flash. I'd just like the option one day to replace that 1TB with something like a 512GB 840 Pro but seeing as I paid for AppleCare I don't want to throw it in the bin by ripping the iMac open.

If you have an Apple Authorized service provider do it for you then they should be able to honor that warranty you purchased on the machine.
When I was managing service at one we would honor that if we did the service, it was a more personable experience then an Apple store.
Consult with them first but I dont see why they wouldnt want to keep a customer and provide service.

[eattherich]

Originally Posted by AppleNewton

If you have an Apple Authorized service provider do it for you then they should be able to honor that warranty you purchased on the machine.
When I was managing service at one we would honor that if we did the service, it was a more personable experience then an Apple store.
Consult with them first but I dont see why they wouldnt want to keep a customer and provide service.

Great, thank you for your advice. I'll give a local authorised place a call when I decide I want the upgrade. I'd be quite happy with doing it myself but after having something go wrong with an Apple product just after 12 months once I decided to always get AppleCare.