Slow Time Capsule transfer speeds

[cookies!]

Hi all, I have the 2TB Time Capsule from 2014, and I have hardwired my 2014 Macbook Pro 15". I'm using an Apple Thunderbolt to ethernet adapter, and then I have a CAT7 cable running to the Time Capsule. I've also tried using a USB 3 to Ethernet adapter. I'm able to get 900MB/s when I download stuff online (I have fiber).

But I'm copying big files over to the Time Capsule, I only got about 50MB/s, and right now, 30. I checked and there are no processes running, so I'm stumped as to what the issue is. I've exchanged the cable too. Does anyone know what's going on?

 

[Weaselboy]

But I'm copying big files over to the Time Capsule, I only got about 50MB/s, and right now, 30. I checked and there are no processes running, so I'm stumped as to what the issue is. I've exchanged the cable too. Does anyone know what's going on?

There is nothing wrong and that is about all the network transfer speed you are going to get with a Time Capsule. They are okay for backups, but they are a pretty crummy network file server solution and underpowered.

 

[JTToft]

Yup. Normal.

 

[cookies!]

So is it a limitation of the ethernet chip in the Time Capsule, or is it a limitation of a 5200rpm hard drive? Basically, I want to replace it if I can double my transfer speeds.

It's just weird that I get full gigabit speeds when I'm transferring files over the internet, but I get a fraction of that when I transfer files locally. And it's using the exact same hardware!

 

[JTToft]

So is it a limitation of the ethernet chip in the Time Capsule, or is it a limitation of a 5200rpm hard drive? Basically, I want to replace it if I can double my transfer speeds.

It's just weird that I get full gigabit speeds when I'm transferring files over the internet, but I get a fraction of that when I transfer files locally. And it's using the exact same hardware!

- Mostly a limitation of the computing capabilities of the Time Capsule. It's basically a mini computer, and it just doesn't have very powerful hardware.

If you wanted high speed transfers, you unfortunately bought the wrong device.

 

[cookies!]

Oh, thanks! That makes sense. It's served it's purpose well in every other regard, but I would like to go ahead and replace it if it can't do gigabit transfers. Do you have a recommendation?

I'm really not in need of anything fancy. I just need 4TB of usable space in a RAID 1 configuration (so 8TB?), and I'm trying to keep power consumption down as well. It basically just stores files for Plex and acts as a dump for any big files that can't fit on my laptop.

I'd *like* to still use the Time Capsule for wireless since I get great speeds with that, and Time Machine is always nice to have. So if I don't need to replace it too, I'd rather not.

 

[JTToft]

It's served it's purpose well in every other regard, but I would like to go ahead and replace it if it can't do gigabit transfers. Do you have a recommendation?

- I don't use them myself, but Synology's offerings are well-respected.

The WD My Cloud PR2100 also seems to get good reviews especially for use as a Plex server.

 

[Weaselboy]

I'm really not in need of anything fancy. I just need 4TB of usable space in a RAID 1 configuration (so 8TB?), and I'm trying to keep power consumption down as well. It basically just stores files for Plex and acts as a dump for any big files that can't fit on my laptop.

Sounds like what you want is a dedicated NAS (network attached storage) device. In addition to the Synology brand JT mentioned, take a look at the QNAP line also. Both sites have "configurators" where you can punch in what features you want and get a recommendation. Also look over reviews at Smallnetbuilder. They have a NAS ranking page here where you can select for example RAID1 up top then see how the rating shake out for that class of NAS device.

I don't use a NAS personally, so can't offer a suggestion.