Can the time capsule be used as both a time machine backup and NAS storage

Can the time capsule be used as both a time machine backup and NAS storage?   I want to use the drive as external, wireless storage for all of my files so all my PCs, MACs and iOS devices can access the files.  Plus, I want to use the drive for backing up my iMac via time machine.  Can the time capsule device be used for both these purposes simultaneously?  If not, are the other suggestions on how I can do this?

Can the time capsule device be used for both these purposes simultaneously? 
It can, but is really not recommended. Sooner or later there will be a fight for space on the drive between Time Machine and the other files.
If you have plenty of free space on the drive, you can do this......but.....have you thought about how you will back up the "other" files that are stored on the Time Capsule?

Similar Messages

  • Partition external HD to use it for time machine backup and nas storage

    i have a macbook pro with retina display with 500gb of ssd storage runing yosemite and a airport extreme latest model.
    what i want to do is to use an external drive (1TB) and use it to hold all my files of my macbook, and i want to make time machine backups for each drive over airport extreme.
    so i have made in my mind a backup plan and im not sure if it will work.
    im planning to buy a 4TB external HDD and make 3 partitions, one for my macbook of 500gb, another for my external drive of 1TB and a third to use it as a NAS.
    im not an expert in storage but i have read a lot from internet.
    Thanks.

    so i have made in my mind a backup plan and im not sure if it will work.
    It won't work with TM..
    TM will either backup the internal disk plus external or internal only.. it cannot backup external only. So there is no point using 3 partitions.. just two will work fine.
    You can buy Carbon Copy Cloner and it will work fine doing backups of internal and external as separate items.. but it is better over network to backup as sparsebundles.. much faster than direct copying.. but it does work.
    As a NAS.. an Airport Extreme plus USB drive.. is slow.. might be ok over wireless.. because the wireless is even slower.. but it is not ok over ethernet. A Time Capsule or a cheap single disk nas will work a lot better.
    So your plan can be made to work.. just need some adjustments.
    BTW be very careful what USB drive you buy. Not all work on the USB of the Airport routers.
    USB drive compatibility with Airport Routers. Help make database.

  • Can Time Capsule be used for both Time Machine back-up and a place to store other things?

    I thought I had heard that it was best to keep whatever external drive you use for Time Machine to be exclusive for Time Machine back-ups. Does Time Capsule automatically partition an area for Time Machine. Also, since Time Machine auto deletes some things when the external drive gets full, does it just keep backing up until it fills the Time Capsules 2 TB or whatever the space is? Thanks in advance for help.

    It does not partition the drive but creates a sparse bundle which acts as a sealed directory.
    You can store other things on the TC. Just create a new directory for your stuff.
    The TC needs to have at least 2 or 3 times the space used by your hard disks in all your computers. So it can manage a full backup plus the hourly incrementals.. !! It can take a long time to fill up if you don't change stuff around much.. or it could fill up relatively quickly if you constantly load files in and out.
    Remember though a TC is not a NAS, it has no mirror and if the TC is the only copy of some files you are storing on it, and the TC breaks down, then those files are lost.
    I have seen others suggest it is better to use a USB hdd connected to the TC to store files you want access to. Balance between storage and backup won't be that difficult. If the TC is becoming full, make a decision about where you want to store those other files.

  • I am out of space on my Macbook Air and have a Time Machine Backup. I want to complete reset my mac, but wonder if I can pick and choose what I restore to my computer? Can I also use my time machine backup and external storage as well?

    I am out of space on my Macbook Air and have a Time Machine Backup. I want to complete reset my mac, but wonder if I can pick and choose what I restore to my computer? Can I also use my time machine backup as external storage as well for the files I don't need everyday?

    If you are using "Restore from Time Machine Backup" option from OS X Recovery, you can only choose from the broad categories presented.
    ... Can I also use my time machine backup as external storage as well for the files I don't need everyday?
    To be clear, if you are asking if you can use the volume containing your Time Machine backup to store additional, non-Time Machine files, the short answer is yes.
    It's not a good idea though, since the Time Machine backup will eventually fill all available space, after which it begins to remove old, "expired" backups to make room for newer ones. The presence of additional files doesn't change that fact, and Time Machine will not erase them, but you will encounter a dilemma should you want to store additional files on that volume when there is no remaining space. You will have to make room for them on your own, by deleting existing files. Furthermore, since Time Machine cannot back up its own volume, those additional files will not be backed up by Time Machine.
    The easy solution for what you describe is to purchase additional external storage. External USB hard disk drives have become very inexpensive; about $55 will buy a perfectly suitable 1 TB drive.
    You can also choose to replace your MacBook Air's internal storage with a larger capacity one. Look for a suitable replacement from OWC / MacSales:
    http://eshop.macsales.com/shop/SSD/OWC/Air-Retina
    That gets a little more expensive but it is the optimum solution.

  • Time capsule as time machine backup and NAS?

    I've read the TC section of the website and notice a blurb about computers able to connect to it as a HDD.
    I realize the device has yet to be released but was wondering about this. I have a handfull of macs and a handfull of xp machines on my network (wired and wireless)
    1 of my XP machine is just used as a file server. (1.5TB NTFS formated holding all video/audio/docs as well as having iTunes running to download HD podcast) All computers (Mac/XP) can access this. Five of my XP computers are MCE2005 which are configured to record SD and HD shows directly to this box.
    I have yet to have a HFS formated drive to actually do time machine backups and I would like to start. I understand that going with TC I will loose some abilities I currently have by running a dedicated computer/file server but I like the fact that it is small and self contained.
    I just want to make sure I understand the specifiations correctly. Can I make a various folders on TC and then map it to my Mac/XP machines via windows naming convention (ie \\TimeMachine\RecordedTV\)
    I am in the process of upgrading my file server so this would be a perfect time to think about going this route. Should TC not meet my needs I will continue with my build of a Raid 5 server.

    Until we get more information, at the present time the only certain thing we know about Time Capsule is that it will support TimeMachine backups.
    What we don't know:
    1. whether TimeMachine backups to network drives other than Time Capsule will ever be supported
    2. whether the Time Capsule internal drive can be used for general file storage, or only Time Machine backups. Current information on Apple's web site could be interpreted either way. I suspect it can be used for general file storage - but that is just my opinion.
    If it is not essential that you make a purchasing decision before Time Capsule ships within the next month (and more detailed information becomes available) I suggest you wait. My two cents worth of opinion - if it is general file storage that you want, and Time Machine automated backups are not a priority on the "wish list", then I think you would be far better off setting up your own network file server rather than using Time Capsule for this purpose.

  • Can time capsule be use simultaneously as a wireless hard drive and time machine backup?

    Hello, I currently have a macbook pro retina and have about 600 gig of content. I am tired of hauling around an external hard drive with him to hold it all. I was thinking of getting a Time Capsule but wanted to know if it can serve as both an external hard drive for my content as well as the destination disk for a time machine back up. If not, can I attach an external hard drive to the time machine to use as the backup drive. Oh one more thing, will I only be able to see the content if I connect to the same home internet network or will I be able to access it with any internet connection regardless of where I am??

    Hello, I currently have a macbook pro retina and have about 600 gig of content. I am tired of hauling around an external hard drive with him to hold it all.
    Who is him?? The MBPr.. interesting choice of pronoun if it is.
    Do you really need 600GB of content.. ??
    You can buy a 1TB 2.5" drive in a tiny holder now. In terms of the amount of lugging.. I doubt you will feel that much extra.
    I was thinking of getting a Time Capsule but wanted to know if it can serve as both an external hard drive for my content as well as the destination disk for a time machine back up. If not, can I attach an external hard drive to the time machine to use as the backup drive. Oh one more thing, will I only be able to see the content if I connect to the same home internet network or will I be able to access it with any internet connection regardless of where I am??
    We do not recommend the TC as an external hard disk to store your files. It has no.. repeat NO ability to back itself up.. it is a sealed unit without spare parts available.. If it dies.. apple will replace not recover. Say goodbye to all your files.. and frankly that are not that reliable.
    TM cannot backup a network drive.. and you cannot backup without using a 3rd party software and another USB disk or NAS.. so.. to cut the long story short.. buy the right box.. a NAS.. QNAP and Synology make real NAS, with fully integrated backup that can do TM backups.
    If you do decide on the TC for your files.. you can access it locally no problems.
    From WAN over the net using BTMM and iCloud.. remember every file movement is restricted to the slowest speed in the network.. usually your upload speed at each end.. try doing anything at 800kbps which is all most people get. If you have high speed fibre then great.
    A real NAS will be accessed by SFTP directly using dynamic dns or static public IP .. even better.. but the same limitation applies.. speed of the convoy is the speed of the slowest ship.
    A dropbox in the cloud is often a better way although accessing 600GB is still not easy.. and getting it up there.. harder still. But download speed is a lot better than upload.

  • Can time capsule be used for anything else than a backup?

    Just wondering if my time capsule which is 2T can be used for anything else other than as backup.  As a router it is working great and as backup no problems.  However, for example can I use Apple TV with it.
    Thanks.

    http://store.apple.com/us/product/MD032LL/A/time-capsule-2tb?fnode=5f

  • I have one week old MBP r with a 500 gig ssd. I looked at my storage and im using 147gig for back up. I've backed up onto a time capsule. So what is this 147gig of backups and how do i delete it?

    This is my first Mac, and i was just browsing around when i went into storage and i saw i was using 43.97 gigs for audio, 44.72 gigs for movies, 7.96 gigs for photos, 5.4 gigs for apps, 147.16 gigs for backups and 70.81 gigs for other.
    I've backed up onto a time capsule that i also recently bought. So i would like to know what constitues the "Backups" on my hard drive and how do I delete it to free up more space

  • I am gifting my iMac to my niece and need to wipe the disc for her use.  I have an external backup and also (smile) a brand new iMac I'll need to set up.What is the "best" process for ensuring the safety of my information as well as providing a "new" comp

    Gang,
    I've just purchased a new iMac for myslef and am gifting my "old" iMac to Niece.  Original iMac has Snow Leopard upgrade (came with Leopard) as well as Word for Mac -student addition.  I also have an external backup drive and use Time Machine as specified.
    What are the easy and appropraite steps to provide my niece a "new" iMac (clean and free of my items) as well as protect my info so I can place on my new iMac?  Will I also need to de-authorixe audible for iTunes?
    Thank you for your help.  I know this is probably a very basic procedure but I want to get it correct and ensure I don't harm either iMac.
    Best,
    pshdawg1

    pshdawg1 wrote:
    Gang,
    I've just purchased a new iMac for myslef and am gifting my "old" iMac to Niece.  Original iMac has Snow Leopard upgrade (came with Leopard) as well as Word for Mac -student addition.  I also have an external backup drive and use Time Machine as specified.
    Well I don't think your niece is going to rob you blind or sell your company secrets to the highest bidder, so a full 7x- 35x government grade overwrite and operating install is likely overkill.
    Just likley some personal files, pictures and videos, stuff like that you want to make sure doesn't get seen.
    My suggestion is to clean out your user level files manually in each of your Documents, Pictures etc folders, any bookmarks in browsers (reset Safari, clear cache) and emails you don't want carried on.
    Then download and run the cleaning aspects of OnyX, followed by a Disk Utility > Erase Free Space option. (in your Applications/Utilities folder)
    http://www.titanium.free.fr/
    You can create another Admin account in her name/nick and delete the first one with your name and all that.
    If you really want to get rid of your name from everywhere in the comptuer, then the only option is a c boot from the installer disk, Disk Utility Erase with Zero (7x or even 35x overwrite) and then resintall OS X and shutdown the machine,
    When this is done, OS X boots into the first "Welcome to OS X" video you saw when you first setup the machine. Of course you lose Word as that's not on the installer disk. But LibreOffice is free and much much better.
    http://www.libreoffice.org/
    pshdawg1 wrote:
    Will I also need to de-authorixe audible for iTunes? 
    Your allowed up to 5 computers with your iTunes content, but you can deauthorize the computer in iTunes so it doesn't take one of your authorizations.
    Also before you do anything, make a MANUAL backup of your data to another drive just in case Time Machine/Migration ***. etc doesn't screw the new pooch on you like it's been known to do.
    I always c boot off the new installer disk on new machines and Disk Utility Erase with Zero option the entire boot drive then reinstall OS X, it's not that I'm paranoid, it's that drives are not checked for bad sectors at the factory, they just slap OS X on it and off it goes, problems appear later on as people use the drive or can't read the software correctly off the drive.
    So I map off the bad sectors ahead of time, so the software is on good sectors and never have a post issue like others do with new machines.
    If you ordered a Mac with custom software installed, obiously your going to need to reinstall it after this.

  • Can the same name be used for both an iCal calendar and reminder list?

    In iCal, I have a Reminder list named "Home".  I have been trying to also give a Calendar the name "Home", but iCal does not seem to want me to do this. When I try to use the name Home for a Calendar, it changes it to the name "Home C" (a name that I gave it when I couldn't get it to let me use "Home").  Is this a restriction within iCal?  I have iCal synched with iCloud, which in turns syncs with an app called 2Do on my iPhone.  I am not sure if that may be part of the problem. 

    Yes, it can
    Stedman

  • Use external for backup and personal storage

    Hey all,
    I was wondering if I could use my external for time machine backups and personal storage. I have a seagate 250 and time machine is currently working great. The only thing is that my apple hd is filling up. Even if I lose all my current backups, is there a way to set maybe 50 gigs a side for movies and use the rest for backup?

    Partitioning the drive as joshz suggests is the best route at the moment. Unfortunately Apple does not provide any way to limit the overall size of the database directory. You could also create a blank disk image on the backup drive in which to store other information, but this is almost the same as creating a separate partition. Remember that the two partitions will display as two individual volumes, so it will appear like you have three disks attached (your main one, your backup one, and your storage one).

  • I have used Airport Time Capsule with my iMac for several years. I recently purchased a MacBook Air and when it tried to backup to Time Capsule it couldn't because Time Capsule is full. How can I now use the 3TB Airport Time Capsule to back up both?

    I have used Airport Time Capsule with my iMac for a couple years. I recently purchased a MacBook Air and when it tried to backup to Time Capsule it couldn't because Time Capsule is full. How can I now use the 3TB Airport Time Capsule to back up both the iMac and MacBook Air? I don't mind losing earlier backups. I have excluded some items from backing up, but since the Airport Time Capsule is full, I can't even begin to back up the MacBook Air.

    On your Mac.......
    Open Finder > Applications > Utilities > AirPort Utility
    Click on the Time Capsule icon, then click Edit in the smaller window that appears
    Click on the Disks tab at the top of the window
    Click Erase Disk
    On the next window that appears, select the Quick Erase option, then click Erase
    The operation will only take a few minutes.
    Now you are ready to start new backups of both Macs.  Back up one Mac first, then back up the other.  Do not try to back up both Macs as the same time.

  • I have 2 different MacBooks (owned by 2 people) connected to my Time Capsule. I want to use the Time Capsule to back up both MacBooks separately from each other. Can one person access the hard drive of the other person, on the same Time Capsule?

    I have 2 different MacBooks (owned by 2 people) connected to the same Time Capsule over a wifi network. I want to use the Time Capsule to back up both MacBooks separately from each other. Can one person access the hard drive of the other person, on the same Time Capsule? Is there a way to ensure that the files on the 2 laptops are kept private from each other? Thanks!

    If someone really wants to do something, it won't take them long to find out how to do it. 
    http://pondini.org/TM/17.html
    Security on a Time Capsule is a bit like installing a lock on a tent. It will keep the honest folks out, but probably not the others.

  • HT1178 Can the time capsule be used with a pc running Windows Vista , 7 or 8 as a backup drive

    Can the time capsule be used with a pc running Windows Vista , 7 or 8 as a backup drive. If so what software do I need to buy?

    Can the time capsule be used with a pc running Windows Vista , 7 or 8 as a backup drive.
    Yes, on XP, Vista and 7. Have not tried 8.
    If so what software do I need to buy?
    Genie Timeline Pro does a very nice job...and it is similar to Apple's Time Machine.  It's not cheap though.  Check with the Genie folks for more info and compatibility with Windows 8.
    Genie Timeline Pro | Overview | Time Machine Backup Software for ...
    Other users may have some other suggestions.

  • I have bought a time capsule to use as time machine device. Until now I have used a external hard disk. How can I transfer the the old time machine datas to the time capsule?

    I have bought a time capsule to use as time machine device. Until now I have used a external hard disk. How can I transfer the the old time machine datas to the time capsule?

    This is really difficult to the point of not really worth it.
    Keep the old TM backups in archive.. and start afresh on the TC.
    Time Machine has a different way of backing up on Network drives cf Local drives.
    Pondini does have a method to do it... but I would not recommend it.
    http://pondini.org/TM/18.html

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