Sorry if this is a redundant thread but there is so much conflicting information out there. I want some sort of network storage for Time Machine backups and the 3TB Time Capsule is just way overpriced. Would it be smarter to get an AEBS with an attached USB HDD or an NAS? Mostly in terms of reliability (corruption and whatnot) and less-so about speed. Thanks everyone.
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AEBS + USB HDD vs NAS for Time Machine Backups
- Thread starter Peteman100
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Time Machine backup to a HD connected to an Airport Extreme is not officially supported by Apple. Some people have success, but other people have reported problems even after months of successfully making backups.
I assume backing up to a third-party NAS isn't officially supported either though, right?
That's a good question, but a NAS isn't mentioned. See this page:
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1427
It specifically mentions TM cannot backup to a HD connected to an Extreme.
But backup to a NAS might not be supported as well. I don't know if other users have experience with this.
Netgear ReadyNAS DUO
Absolutely works perfectly with my Netgear ReadyNAS Duo, and to be honest with you, I have so many other things I can do with my NAS compared to buying a silly over priced time machine.
For starters my nas:
1. Has two disks - mirrored - so if one drive fails, I do not loose my data. The Time Capsule does not.
2. Has a Linux operating system in it - that I can console into to perform file operations and all kinds of fun stuff that can't be done with a closed system like Apple's.
3. Has a built in bittorrent client for downloading torrents - which means I don't have to leave my computer on.
4. Has a built in newsgroup client for downloading binaries from the newsgroups - again keeping my computer from having to be turned on.
5. Supports a UPS on one of the USB ports so it safely shuts down in the event of a power outage
6. Supports backing up to a USB drive automatically (attaches to the front port)
7. Can attach 2 external USB devices like a printer or a hard drive for additional capacity on the network.
8. Supports all major network sharing protocols including SMB, CIFS, and AFP (Apple's network protocol)
9. Has user accounts and home directories so I can give the room mate storage on the network without having to give him access to my files, even has quotas as well.
10.Has a very awesome support community that is always willing and able to help.
And last, but certainly not least, as new wireless technologies evolve, I don't have to buy a new $500 dollar time capsule to get the latest stuff, I just replace my router.
With that said, there is one thing you can't do with the NAS, which is - store our iPhoto library on it, but I believe Apple also DOES NOT support storing the iPhoto on the time capsule.
Absolutely works perfectly with my Netgear ReadyNAS Duo, and to be honest with you, I have so many other things I can do with my NAS compared to buying a silly over priced time machine.
For starters my nas:
1. Has two disks - mirrored - so if one drive fails, I do not loose my data. The Time Capsule does not.
2. Has a Linux operating system in it - that I can console into to perform file operations and all kinds of fun stuff that can't be done with a closed system like Apple's.
3. Has a built in bittorrent client for downloading torrents - which means I don't have to leave my computer on.
4. Has a built in newsgroup client for downloading binaries from the newsgroups - again keeping my computer from having to be turned on.
5. Supports a UPS on one of the USB ports so it safely shuts down in the event of a power outage
6. Supports backing up to a USB drive automatically (attaches to the front port)
7. Can attach 2 external USB devices like a printer or a hard drive for additional capacity on the network.
8. Supports all major network sharing protocols including SMB, CIFS, and AFP (Apple's network protocol)
9. Has user accounts and home directories so I can give the room mate storage on the network without having to give him access to my files, even has quotas as well.
10.Has a very awesome support community that is always willing and able to help.
And last, but certainly not least, as new wireless technologies evolve, I don't have to buy a new $500 dollar time capsule to get the latest stuff, I just replace my router.
With that said, there is one thing you can't do with the NAS, which is - store our iPhoto library on it, but I believe Apple also DOES NOT support storing the iPhoto on the time capsule.
Last night I lost 7 months worth of backups on my NAS due to a corrupted sparsebundle on my external HD. It worked flawlessly for months - until yesterday....poof!
Unfortunately my lesson was learned the hard way, and my new 2TB Time Capsule will be arriving from Apple in the post tomorrow...
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