Time Capsule Performance as a Wireless Router

[hafr]

I suppose there are two ways to look at this then:

1. Apple is intentionally lying to users as part of some conspiracy to get them to buy Time Capsules.

or...

2. There is some technical issue we are not aware of that causes intermittent problems with Time Machine backups to USB drives on an Airport Extreme.

I honestly don't know which it is, but I would not bet my data on it being #1.

(I re-read my post before posting it, and I'm not sure if it could be interpreted as "angry". English is not my mother tongue, and there might be both language and cultural barriers in play here, just wanted to let you know that this in no way is meant to be an attack, just honest questions not meant to infuriate anyone.)

So what's your take on Apple blatantly lying about how it's impossible to use Time Machine to a USB-drive connected to the AEBS, but at the same time supports the use of Time Machine to a USB-drive connected to every other router able to share a disk through AFP, including the TC?

If it's indeed a technical problem causing certain users of AEBS+USB-drives to experience corrupt backups, how come they don't say it's impossible to back up to Time Capsules, and pretty much any and all NAS' out there, since it's far from a problem related to the AEBS, typical for the AEBS or even mainly happening to AEBS-users?

I had corrupt backups when connecting my USB-disk to my MBP, same disk connected to my AEBS and I have no problems. What do you make of that? Luck?

So, it's not a problem related to the AEBS, they're supporting all other routers able to share disks with AFP including the TC which logically can be said to be more similar to the AEBS than any other router out there. And it's no secret they're keeping services and features from some products in order to sell more of another (compare Airport Express that's unable to share a USB-drive, or the AEBS and TC that can't Airplay, or making Siri 4S only despite it's clearly fully functional on the 4)...

I'm not as convinced as you that the reason behind Apple saying backups are impossible to the AEBS+USB is NOT to push people towards buying a TC instead...

 

[Weaselboy]

I'm not as convinced as you that the reason behind Apple saying backups are impossible to the AEBS+USB is NOT to push people towards buying a TC instead...

I don't have answers to all your questions. I'll repeat what I said before. I am not "convinced" of anything because I just don't know what is going on. All I am saying is I am not comfortable risking my data to an unsupported solution.

What I think might be going on is there could be proprietary firmware in the Time Capsule that makes it more suitable for use with Time Machine, but this is pure speculation on my part.

 

[hafr]

I don't have answers to all your questions. I'll repeat what I said before. I am not "convinced" of anything because I just don't know what is going on. All I am saying is I am not comfortable risking my data to an unsupported solution.

What I think might be going on is there could be proprietary firmware in the Time Capsule that makes it more suitable for use with Time Machine, but this is pure speculation on my part.

Apple carry two proper routers - one with and one without a HDD, and there are a bunch of routers out there on the market that handles AFP. If you decide to buy a router from someone else, Apple know they've lost your business and offers you the possibility to use TM for your backups. But if you're standing there, choosing between the AEBS and the TC, there are only three things that differ: price, size and storage space.

Now, John wants to get a new router. As so many other people he already has a spare USB drive at home. He's looking at the AEBS and the TC. He figures "well, this one is cheaper, smaller, and does exactly what I want it to. It doesn't have internal storage for backup, but hey, I've already got that at home". A member of staff approaches him and they talk for a while. "Oh, you want to use it for backups? Well, the AEBS can't back up to a USB-drive, but take a look at this TC instead" and the sale is made.

If you tell me you believe that a 3 TB drive and the difference between to produce an AEBS and a TC cost Apple 320 USD and that the profit margin is the same, I'd say you're naïve

Then we have the whole question about why the Airport Express can't share USB storage devices and the AEBS and TC can't do Airplay... I'm guessing it has absolutely nothing to do with hardware limitations

 

[EwanMcTeagle]

Hey I know the topic is old, but maybe I'll get an answer from you guys.

First off, just like the OP, I was wondering how is the TC as a router - does it give you a steady signal without break ups?
I have an Asus RTN10 router now and though it's nice (for the price I paid back in the day) the WiFi hangs up on daily basis, which is annoying to say the least - my girlfriend uses only WiFi on her macbook, so it's always frustrating and a bit scary when she's writing an email to her co worker or a professor and WiFi connection goes down suddenly. I then have to restart the router, which deosn't help me as well when I'm connected via ethernet cable. May I add that we usually sit in the same room - her macbook is 2 meters from the router which sits on top of my desk. So no obvious interferrence is in play.
So that would be my first question - is TC more reliable in your opinion and experience? Maybe it's something "Mac" - maybe Macs play nicer with Apple stuff?

Second question concerns Time Machine backups. I have three Macs to backup. Should I partition TC's hard drive into 4 partitions (3 backups + media), so that each Mac has its own partition or can I backup to an unpartitoned hard drive and the Time Machine will recognize the right back up for a given Mac?
PS. How much space should I give to 1 Mac backup? Now my backups take about 40-50GB - I don't back up media as I have them backuped separately so that my girlfriend and I can have access to them via iTunes. But since I was plaaning on buying TC for some time, I've made my current backup partitions small (100 GB). Would that 100GB be enough for long time if I plan to back up the system and apps without the media? I know it may be hard to say, but if you could give an estimate that would be very helpful.

And for my final question, which is more of a request. I was wondering if anyone could share a screenshot of how is the TC (as a hard drive) shown in Finder? And does it appear at startup - for both ethernet connected Mac and wifi connected one or do I have to connect to it like I would to a server?

Thank you in advance.

 

[Weaselboy]

Hey I know the topic is old, but maybe I'll get an answer from you guys.

First off, just like the OP, I was wondering how is the TC as a router - does it give you a steady signal without break ups?
I have an Asus RTN10 router now and though it's nice (for the price I paid back in the day) the WiFi hangs up on daily basis, which is annoying to say the least - my girlfriend uses only WiFi on her macbook, so it's always frustrating and a bit scary when she's writing an email to her co worker or a professor and WiFi connection goes down suddenly. I then have to restart the router, which deosn't help me as well when I'm connected via ethernet cable. May I add that we usually sit in the same room - her macbook is 2 meters from the router which sits on top of my desk. So no obvious interferrence is in play.
So that would be my first question - is TC more reliable in your opinion and experience? Maybe it's something "Mac" - maybe Macs play nicer with Apple stuff?

Second question concerns Time Machine backups. I have three Macs to backup. Should I partition TC's hard drive into 4 partitions (3 backups + media), so that each Mac has its own partition or can I backup to an unpartitoned hard drive and the Time Machine will recognize the right back up for a given Mac?
PS. How much space should I give to 1 Mac backup? Now my backups take about 40-50GB - I don't back up media as I have them backuped separately so that my girlfriend and I can have access to them via iTunes. But since I was plaaning on buying TC for some time, I've made my current backup partitions small (100 GB). Would that 100GB be enough for long time if I plan to back up the system and apps without the media? I know it may be hard to say, but if you could give an estimate that would be very helpful.

And for my final question, which is more of a request. I was wondering if anyone could share a screenshot of how is the TC (as a hard drive) shown in Finder? And does it appear at startup - for both ethernet connected Mac and wifi connected one or do I have to connect to it like I would to a server?

Thank you in advance.

The Time Capsule work fine as a wifi router. Here is a good review. That said, I don't think it is any better (or worse) that any other modern high end dual band router. The convenience of having the backup drive built in is the big plus for me.

You can't partition the drive inside the Time Capsule, nor do you need to. Time Machine will make a separate backup bundle for however many Macs you backup to the device and there will be no conflict. (There was a post a year or so ago from a forum member who figured out a work around to partition, but as I recall others could not get it to work.)

Here is how it look in the Finder. It automounts at login, you don't need to do anything.

This second shot shows contents of the TC partition. The top "MyName Macbook" is a sparse bundle file that contains the backup set. You will see one of these for each computer. Below that you can see a folder I made to share files inside my network.

Post up if you have questions.

 

[EwanMcTeagle]

The Time Capsule work fine as a wifi router. Here is a good review. That said, I don't think it is any better (or worse) that any other modern high end dual band router. The convenience of having the backup drive built in is the big plus for me.

You can't partition the drive inside the Time Capsule, nor do you need to. Time Machine will make a separate backup bundle for however many Macs you backup to the device and there will be no conflict. (There was a post a year or so ago from a forum member who figured out a work around to partition, but as I recall others could not get it to work.)

Here is how it look in the Finder. It automounts at login, you don't need to do anything.

This second shot shows contents of the TC partition. The top "MyName Macbook" is a sparse bundle file that contains the backup set. You will see one of these for each computer. Below that you can see a folder I made to share files inside my network.

Post up if you have questions.

You've basically answered all my questions Thank you very much.
It seems that TC meets all my expectations thus I'll be picking it up tomorrow at the store.
The back up is the main "selling" feature for me - as I have 3 Macs to backup. Plus I'll be able to extend it via USB with 2 HDDs from my old PC with something like this

and have little over 2,5 TB.

Thanks again for the reply

 

[Knisse]

TC and airplay speaker

Good thread, I have a speaker with airplay and so far it is killing me - it drops out, have hugh spikes/lag, lost connection entirely and so on.

The manufacture of the speaker tells me that it is my router (a standard that came with my internet company). So i am considering getting a new router, and since i could use the backup as well, TC may be the perfect choice.

If - and that is what my internet provider tells me - that the internet itself is stable, TC might be the puzzle solver.

Have anyone tried using the TC with a speaker that has built in airplay? Was it flawless?

 

[smellalot]

Have anyone tried using the TC with a speaker that has built in airplay? Was it flawless?

You're asking the wrong question. Any other router will most likely do as good as the TC.

What you need to find out is the quality of the wifi connection of your speaker and your airplay source. In my experience the connection has to be very good in order to avoid skipping 100%. Like when all three devices are in the same room.

So - how far apart are your devices? How many walls are between them? If the distance is too big, a wifi extender or better a second router connected wired to the first one will be much more helpful.

 

[Knisse]

Interesting input smellalot.

I used B&W A7, there was approximately 1,5 Meters between my router and the device, no walls between.
My internet speed is 10Mb, and according to my internet provider my connection itself is fine.
The shop that sold me the B&W A7 blamed my router, my internet provider did blame old firmware (didnt make any difference then i got the new firmware)....

I even took my A7 to a friends house, that has same internet speed, but also an old router and he had same issues as me. And then the A7 was returned to the shop they said it wasnt the device but the common router.

That only leaves the "basic" router (zyxel p-2601hn-f1) that came with my internet provider, but i am abit reluctant to just go and spend much on a new router if that does not fix my issues.

Any other router will most likely do as good as the TC.

Compared to a basic router or a more advanced one (not sure how the advanced ones are much better?) Perhaps you can explain to me how a more expensive one can provide more stable connection (then they are so close and walls between as above mentioned)? I honestly do not know, a more stable frequency?

 

[Knisse]

.....

Just to quote you, incase you forgotten this.

bump

 

[smellalot]

Sorry for not getting back at you earlier, I'm preparing for my exams at the moment.

Interesting input smellalot.

I used B&W A7, there was approximately 1,5 Meters between my router and the device, no walls between.
My internet speed is 10Mb, and according to my internet provider my connection itself is fine.
The shop that sold me the B&W A7 blamed my router, my internet provider did blame old firmware (didnt make any difference then i got the new firmware)....

I even took my A7 to a friends house, that has same internet speed, but also an old router and he had same issues as me. And then the A7 was returned to the shop they said it wasnt the device but the common router.

That only leaves the "basic" router (zyxel p-2601hn-f1) that came with my internet provider, but i am abit reluctant to just go and spend much on a new router if that does not fix my issues.



Compared to a basic router or a more advanced one (not sure how the advanced ones are much better?) Perhaps you can explain to me how a more expensive one can provide more stable connection (then they are so close and walls between as above mentioned)? I honestly do not know, a more stable frequency?

Huh, you really got me there. I don't know whats the problem, I can only guess. Possible problems are:

- interference from other 2.4 GHz wifi networks nearby (unlikely, as it's the same at your friends place)
- software / configuration problems with your A7

OK, did a quick google search and found this: http://store.apple.com/us/reviews/H9846VC/A/bowers-wilkins-a7-airplay-wireless-music-system
So it seems many people have similar problems like you.

Can you use a LAN cable to connect the router to the A7 (just to isolate the problem)?
Also, try resetting both units to factory default.

 

[Knisse]

Sorry for not getting back at you earlier, I'm preparing for my exams at the moment.

Huh, you really got me there. I don't know whats the problem, I can only guess. Possible problems are:

- interference from other 2.4 GHz wifi networks nearby (unlikely, as it's the same at your friends place)
- software / configuration problems with your A7

OK, did a quick google search and found this: http://store.apple.com/us/reviews/H9846VC/A/bowers-wilkins-a7-airplay-wireless-music-system
So it seems many people have similar problems like you.

Can you use a LAN cable to connect the router to the A7 (just to isolate the problem)?
Also, try resetting both units to factory default.

No worries about delay, just finished my exams so i know the feeling!

The interference is very unlikely, live in a regular apartment, with no major computer users in the apartment.
The software i think is much more likely, apparently some routers are not "meant" or are not capable of running airplay.

The shop where i bought it did admit that it was an issue regarding stability/connection - same as most of the the unhappy reviews - airplay apparently requires a better router than the common ones you get with a regular internet provider.

I have unfortunately already returned the product, i thought about the LAN cable the next day - but i was abit angry that it apparently was a known fact, that after you have purchased this expensive product you most likely had to buy an expensive router just to make it work.

I am very dissapointed, because properly working airplay would be amazing, hence why i am trying to see if others has made it work