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Time Capsule

I've canceled my pre-order for the Time Capsule. The order was showing a ship date of February 28th for arrival around the 5th of March. Regardless of that, Apple had already placed a hold on the funds tying up over $300 on my checking account. Needless to say I was pissed. :mad:
 
pjarvi said:
I've canceled my pre-order for the Time Capsule. The order was showing a ship date of February 28th for arrival around the 5th of March. Regardless of that, Apple had already placed a hold on the funds tying up over $300 on my checking account. Needless to say I was pissed. :mad:
Click to expand...

Ah, that probably explains where that money went from my bank account. And to think I was about to blame the wife when I got home....
 
To those screaming that it works right now with AEBS and an external disk, my reply is, "no."

I have tried to use it a couple times, and it proved to be unstable. Twice, my backup image got corrupted and unusable. That is NOT a reliable backup solution. It is obvious that this is why Apple disabled the feature, to avoid widespread data loss.

The main reason for this is because Time Machine creates an image on the networked drive, and opens it when connected, then writes to it. Given the AirPort and AirDisk's less than stellar reliability, when (not if) the AirDisk disconnects, even for a second, BAM, the image is corrupted, and your backup is no more.

I do believe that this is a limitation of the AEBS. Perhaps a software update can fix it, perhaps not.

The Time Capsule does not use USB to transfer data from the external disk to the AEBS, then the AEBS transmits the data wirelessly. The HD is a actual networked drive. And thus will put a lesser burden on the AEBS itself, and overall, will be a far more stable experience to the user. The NAS is a proven solution, the USB - turned - networked drive is not.

Notice how Time Machine currently works with networked (NAS) drives without any hacks. But requires a hack to work with a USB-attached drive (AirDisk). The reason is obvious.

And hence, Time Capsule.
 
Why use Time Capsule when you can just plug an external ethernet HD into an ethernet port on an AEBS? That would also be a networked drive, no?

This avoids the USB problem. And this way you can connect up to 3 disks to the router.

Is there something about this solution that would not work, I wonder?
 
Is it wise...

Is it really wise to place you backup directly on the internet facing firewall?

Maybe it is just me, but I don't like the idea of placing the backup of my system which includes the keyring and any other goodies that might be on your system right on the firewall (and not an SPI firewall at that).
 
katorga said:
Is it really wise to place you backup directly on the internet facing firewall?

Maybe it is just me, but I don't like the idea of placing the backup of my system which includes the keyring and any other goodies that might be on your system right on the firewall (and not an SPI firewall at that).
Click to expand...
Yeh, there are so many people trying hack into your home network to get pictures of your kid. Besides, anyone that actually has sensitive information that requires proper protection, already has a clue and is doing it.
 
I can't imagine Time Capsule exposes its hard drive to the open internet side of the firewall. That's just crazy talk.
 
Meh. For the money, this is an expensive solution. Basically, you're paying $500 for 1TB. I decided to go with something else: LaCie 2big Network (2-disk RAID). I get 2TB for $899 - that way I get way better data security (because of the RAID), and I can use it as a file server as well as an FTP server:

http://www.lacie.com/us/products/product.htm?pid=10955

"Design by Neil Poulton

The 2big Network can act as a file-sharing server, a backup server or an FTP server. Easily share important files and make them accessible from anywhere via FTP or any web browser. With this affordable 2-disk RAID solution with Ethernet interface, get maximum storage capacity in BIG mode or maximum security in SAFE mode (RAID 1). If one drive fails in RAID 1, data remains accessible and can even be automatically rebuilt onto a hot-swappable spare drive***. With the 2 USB ports, easily transfer files from a USB key or USB hard drive with the 1-Click Data-Sharing Button or expand available network capacity. The new heat sink metal design naturally draws heat away from the hard disk’s internal components to help keep it cool and improve reliability. The user-friendly LaCie Ethernet Agent enables direct access to shares, drive mapping, and easy administrator configuration."

I just don't see what Time Capsule brings to the table for me. Btw. I'm still on Tiger.
 
looking at the Time Capsule I see an Airport Extreme with an internal HDD.

I would have thought a USB HDD attached to an Airport Extreme would be the same thing but I guess that is not the case.

I was told that in BETA versions of Leopard Time Machine could use a USB drive attached to an Airport Extreme but that feature was deleted from the shipping version of Leopard. ( I could have been lied to about this but think how many Time Capsules Apple would NOT sell if they allowed the use of a USB drive and an Airport Extreme )

Maybe in BETA issues were reported using Airport Extreme and USB hdd and Apple decided to scrap it and designed the Time Capsule.

I already have a router, hate to have to buy another and besides our router handles our cell phones so well I'd hate to switch it out and have phone issues.
 
harcosparky said:
I was told that in BETA versions of Leopard Time Machine could use a USB drive attached to an Airport Extreme but that feature was deleted from the shipping version of Leopard. ( I could have been lied to about this but think how many Time Capsules Apple would NOT sell if they allowed the use of a USB drive and an Airport Extreme )
Click to expand...

Apparently its not always possible, but check this out :)
 
This thread (https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/418099/) is saying that Time Machine needs to use only a partition on the external hard drive.

Will this be true for Time Capsule as well? So I can use one partition on the Time capsule for wireless backup of one Mac using Time Machine, and a different partition as a shared drive on another Windows computer on the same network?
 
I don't care... I bring my external drive alot of places friends house, upstairs etc.. I prefer that to the time capsule.. I like the ability to use FW800 and spend 10 min rather than 45 min wirelessly... plus if I were to take it to a friends house i'd leave my family without internet. :D
 
What might a Western Digital 500gb USB HDD go for on the Marketplace. I would kind of like to upgrade routers to an AEBS and am considering an upgrade to TC. It would be nice to not keep switching the HDD between my MB and iMac and also save a USB slot.
 
ravenvii said:
To those screaming that it works right now with AEBS and an external disk, my reply is, "no."

I have tried to use it a couple times, and it proved to be unstable. Twice, my backup image got corrupted and unusable. That is NOT a reliable backup solution. It is obvious that this is why Apple disabled the feature, to avoid widespread data loss.

The main reason for this is because Time Machine creates an image on the networked drive, and opens it when connected, then writes to it. Given the AirPort and AirDisk's less than stellar reliability, when (not if) the AirDisk disconnects, even for a second, BAM, the image is corrupted, and your backup is no more.

I do believe that this is a limitation of the AEBS. Perhaps a software update can fix it, perhaps not.

The Time Capsule does not use USB to transfer data from the external disk to the AEBS, then the AEBS transmits the data wirelessly. The HD is a actual networked drive. And thus will put a lesser burden on the AEBS itself, and overall, will be a far more stable experience to the user. The NAS is a proven solution, the USB - turned - networked drive is not.

Notice how Time Machine currently works with networked (NAS) drives without any hacks. But requires a hack to work with a USB-attached drive (AirDisk). The reason is obvious.

And hence, Time Capsule.
Click to expand...

I think you are right on the money that the reason this doesn't work, is because AirDisk does NOT work reliably. There is no reason Apple can't get this to work if they want to. I have to believe that this is a software issue. My original AEBS worked much better with the 7.1 firmware. All heck broke loose with 7.2...

The reason Time machine works with NAS disks, etc, and NOT AEBS is because Apple specifically disabled the drives - not because of anything inherently wrong with the AEBS.

Because of the way this was portrayed and published as a feature for Leopard, Apple really needs to step up and make sure this works for people.

At the MINIMUM they need to fix the AirDisk functionality. This is still described on the web page for the AEBS, yet, as far as I know, the current firmware for either version (gigabit or the original) does NOT work if a remote computer goes to sleep with a mounted volume.
 
ravenvii said:
The Time Capsule does not use USB to transfer data from the external disk to the AEBS, then the AEBS transmits the data wirelessly. The HD is a actual networked drive. And thus will put a lesser burden on the AEBS itself, and overall, will be a far more stable experience to the user. The NAS is a proven solution, the USB - turned - networked drive is not.

Notice how Time Machine currently works with networked (NAS) drives without any hacks. But requires a hack to work with a USB-attached drive (AirDisk). The reason is obvious.

And hence, Time Capsule.
Click to expand...

The burden is still there. The Time Capsule processor still has to deal with Disk IO whether it's via PATA/SATA or USB If you ask me that argument is moot.

I've seen many users state that time machine does not see their NAS. Once they 'hack' it, this is solved.
 
I have AEBS, and was planning to buy an external HD for TM. TC appears to be a nice idea, and if I didn't already have the AEBS I would consider one. However, is there a compelling reason to have TC rather than just attach the HD directly to your computer for backup, besides the added safety of having it in a different location? I can't see buying another airport just for the HD since I only have one computer to back up.
 
Mindflux said:
The burden is still there. The Time Capsule processor still has to deal with Disk IO whether it's via PATA/SATA or USB If you ask me that argument is moot.

I've seen many users state that time machine does not see their NAS. Once they 'hack' it, this is solved.
Click to expand...

I hear that working with an AFP share requires no hacks. I might be wrong, I've never tried it myself.

As for USB vs. PATA/SATA, doesn't USB require the CPU to handle the transmitting of data? PATA and SATA does not, as far as I understand.

And using USB as a connection between the HD and a server is just not as reliable as a PATA/SATA-based file server. I have tried this in the past, connecting a USB harddrive to a PC acting as a fileserver. While the reliability is far superior over the reliability of my AEBS/USB HD combo, it's still less reliable than the PATA drive which is inside the said PC. I occasionally had to unplug/plug the USB HD to get it to be visible on the network again. This is why absolutely no one serious about NAS reliability would attach USB harddrives to expand storage space, PATA or SATA is always the way to go. And Time Machine DEMANDS reliability. One millisecond of disconnection, and your whole backup is corrupted and unusable.

If Leopard kept the Time Machine over AEBA/USB HD feature, there will be a LOT of people complaining about corrupted backups.

With Time Capsule, I trust that Apple made sure that the whole scheme is reliable.

They will get their ass handed to them if this isn't so, trust me.
 
ravenvii said:
I hear that working with an AFP share requires no hacks. I might be wrong, I've never tried it myself.
Click to expand...

I've done it with OS X server, and it requires you to click a "Allow this volume to be used for Time Machine backups" checkbox (or somesuch nonsense). Never tried with a plain old OS X desktop machine doing the sharing. Works just fine with OS X server, though.
 
This may have already been asked...

... But, I currently have a Macbook. I plan on getting either a MBP or MP sometime later this year. If I get this Time Capsule... lets say the 1TB model... can I partition it in any way so I can back up BOTH computers?
 
mattcube64 said:
... But, I currently have a Macbook. I plan on getting either a MBP or MP sometime later this year. If I get this Time Capsule... lets say the 1TB model... can I partition it in any way so I can back up BOTH computers?
Click to expand...
You don't need multiple partitions to backup multiple computers. Time Machine just creates separate folders for each computer in its backup directory.
 
Imagine how much better this whole thing with AEBS would have been if Steve had said in the keynote something like "We wanted to make backing up over a wireless network easy, but the AEBS wasn't up to the task. So now we're introducing Time Capsule."

I'd still be pissed, but much less so than I am now. Apple screwed up. Apologize to all of us who bought the Airdisk-Timemachine misinformation and let's move on.
 
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