Can you partition a Time Capsule?

My situation is, I would like to use 1 Harddrive for both a back-up and general files.
I work as a freelancer and when I'm finished with a project I just throw it on a HDD just incase I ever have to go back to it. I don't want to spend too much on a new Harddrive so I thought maybe I could use a large Time Capsule to firstly back my computer up and then perhaps on the partition put my work files on?
Another question:
Are the transfer speeds solely based on your interenet connection? This could mean you get thunderbolt speed transfers if you have good interenet right?
Thanks,
Tim.

1. The Time Capsule can't be partitioned, but disk images can be stored on it. You should get a regular external drive anyway; the Time Capsule's internal drive will eventually fail.
2. Data transfer between your computers and the Time Capsule is local traffic and independent of the speed of the Internet connection.
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Can you partition the Time Capsule hard drive?

I would like to back up through AirportExtreme 2 different Macs with Time Machine
but obviously I would first need to partition the Time Capsule HD !
Is it possible and how would I go about this? I can't find no infos in the manual...
Thanks for your help.

First you do not have to partition the drive to backup multiple computers. Each computer creates a separate file for the backup.
Second there is no way (currently) to partition the drive without taking the TC apart, removing the hard drive, putting it in an external drive enclosure, and partitioning it.

Can i partition the time capsule so i can use it as a server as well?

can i partition the time capsule so i can use it as a server as well?

In order to partition the Time Capsule, you would have to open up the Time Capsule case, pull the hard drive, install it in a separate enclosure, connect the enclosure directly to your Mac, and then use Disk Utility for the partitioning operation.
Then, you have to reverse the entire process to install the drive back in the Time Capsule.
In addition to being a lot of work, something like this will void the warranty on the Time Capsule.
Niel's suggestion of creaing a disk image on the Time Capsule drive to reserve a given amount of space would be by far the easiest way to accomplish things.

Can I Partition a Time Capsule? and more...

My existing setup consists of an Airport Extreme wirelessly supporting 2 MacBooks ("MBs") 5 iOS devices, 2 WiFi/Airprint printers and then by wire (Ethernet) a couple of other devices. In addition, the Extreme has a USB external hard drive visible/accessible to both MBs. Both MBs have their own external hard drives configured as Time Machines. All devices have latest software upgrades/updates.
I am thinking of replacing the Extreme with a 3TB Time Capsule ("TC") and I propose to Partition the TC's drive into 3 – with one partition supporting MB1's TM, the second supporting MB2's TM, and the third partition supporting/acting like a common hard drive (the same as exists external on the Extreme). The existing external hard drives acting as TMs would be set aside and saved for TM recoveries; the TC situate TMs would simply commence as new TMs (I envision difficulties not worth the effort in moving the existing TM backups to the TC).
Query 1: Can the latest 3TB Time Capsule be partitioned as I have proposed? (The reason I pose the question is a series of discussions dating back to 2012 that indicate a TC cannot be partitioned but the current Apple Store page for the 3TB TC indicates a TC can support multiple TMs: "you can back up all the Mac computers in your home to a central location.") A review indicates the TC established at least two TMs automatically, but I'd like to also dedicate some space for a third partition non-TM drive….so, the Q – can I partition a TC?
Query 2: Would I just be better off not trying to partition the TC and just letting it support two TMs automatically and plugging in a separate hard drive, as I currently have? (Why hasn't Apple upgraded the USB connection to 3.0? oh, well, they probably will a month after I buy mine, right? )
Query 3: When moving the existing MBs from desk to couch it is necessary to first eject the existing TM external hard drives. If the TMs are moved to (or replaced by) a TC that would appear to no longer be necessary – because they aren't physically connected anyway. (Having typed this it seems so obvious, but….I'm asking because I just want to confirm.)
Any other suggestions/observations/watch-its would be welcomed. Thanks.

Query 1: Can the latest 3TB Time Capsule be partitioned as I have proposed? (The reason I pose the question is a series of discussions dating back to 2012 that indicate a TC cannot be partitioned but the current Apple Store page for the 3TB TC indicates a TC can support multiple TMs: "you can back up all the Mac computers in your home to a central
The Time Capsule drive cannot be partitioned in a traditional sense unless you pull the drive from the Time Capsule (which voids the warranty), place the drive in a SATA to USB caddy or enclosure, attach the caddy directly to a Mac, and then use Disk Utility for the formatting operation. Once that is done, then you have to reinstall the drive back in the Time Capsule. Not a job for the faint of heart....and best left to a technician.
The Time Capsule "as is", can support multiple Time Machine backups from different Macs, but is basically a free for all as far as space is concerned. Time Machine backs up to a special file called a sparsebundle on the Time Capsule, and while it is possible to modify or limit the size of the sparsebundle file for each Mac, it is a complex operation. This document will give you an idea of the process:
http://pondini.org/TM/A8.html
Query 2: Would I just be better off not trying to partition the TC and just letting it support two TMs automatically and plugging in a separate hard drive, as I currently have?
Much simpler, therefore much better to do it this way.
Query 3: When moving the existing MBs from desk to couch it is necessary to first eject the existing TM external hard drives. If the TMs are moved to (or replaced by) a TC that would appear to no longer be necessary – because they aren't physically connected anyway. (Having typed this it seems so obvious, but….I'm asking because I just want to confirm.)
Time Machine will automatically back up to the Time Capsule once you have it set up. No need to mount, or eject the drive, etc.
Any other suggestions/observations/watch-its would be welcomed.
The current version of the Time Capsule will be two years old in June....and Apple traditionally introduces new products in June.

Can you access the Time Capsule just like a normal HD?

I'm wondering if the Time Capsule can only be used for backup or can you partition it and use it like regular external hard drive?

I don't use TM on my TC. I use TC as my net server. I use the Finder to drag and drop files to the TC. I also use TC to share files long distance with my children who are away.
I since removed the 500 gig hd and placed a 250 gig in the TC.
I've swapped a one terabyte hard drive into the TC also which was very quick and simple.
You are not going to partition a TC hard drive unless you pull it and partition the hard drive say in a firewire or usb enclosure or internal in a MacPro.

Can you use two Time Capsules and back up both with Time Machine.

My little iMac hard drive (250GB) is quickly filling up with my iTunes library (180GB). I have a 500GB Time Capsule which I use to back up my system via Time Capsule. I would like to move my iTunes library to an external hard drive. If I add the 1TB Time Capsule and use it as my main system back up and wireless router can I use my 500GB Time Capsule as an external drive to locate my iTunes library? Will I be able to back up both my iMac HD and the 500GB Time Capsule to the 1TB Time Capsule using Time Machine or some other method?
Finally if I can do this can I have both Time Capsules running wireless?
Message was edited by: mwheelerk
Message was edited by: mwheelerk
Message was edited by: mwheelerk

Could I simply make a copy and move it between the two Time Capsule on a routine basis say every two weeks or month?
Yes
I know I will have to "point" or "map" the new location of my iTunes library to the external hard drive/2nd Time Capsule. Once that is done wouldn't Time Machine then just find the location and back it up along with all the data on the iMac hard drive?
Since this Time Capsule would be connected wirelessly or via Ethernet to your Mac, it would appear as a network drive. Time Machine will not back up data FROM a network drive. Therefore Time Machine will not back up data on this other Time Capsule.

How many users can you have on time capsule

How do I configure Time capsule so that I can use 2 macbook to safty copy (Time machine). Hans

The sparsebundle will expand in size as required.. there is not set size.. when the hard disk is full then each TM should start deleting old backups. If you want to set a size for each backup then you will need to create a disk image.. but really TM can be left to look after this itself.
http://pondini.org/TM/33.html

Can you use the Time Capsule as a wireless drive to share music on multiple computers

Does anyone know whether you can use the time capsule almost as a nextwork drive of sorts (i.e. to share Music etc amongst a few computers)?

The TC is a dumb hard drive inside an apple extreme router.. with a couple of knobs on.
It has no media servers.. and very little flexibility.. indeed it serves files.. AFP or SMB.. and that my friend is that.
So if you want a media server in the network..then a mini is a better proposition. At some point, with sales of ssd laptops soaring and space on these devices at a premium, Apple is long overdue on a revamp of the TC.. it is really either time to drop it or to create something a lot more powerful.. the mini might be a cheap computer but it is not really a file server.. having so little internal disk space and lacking external connectors unless you are rich enough to buy thunderbolt.

Can you daisy chain time capsule??

A while back I tried to daisy chain 2 lacie drives off of airport and that didn't work. 2 questions:
1/from what I have read I can connect this to an airport extreme and that will work just like my lacie does now...
2/Does anyone know if I would be able to use all 3??
Thank you

I'll my 2cents worth here as there's some assumptions being made in these responses that IMO are misleading the author of this thread.
1. Apple fully supports using Time Machine with the internal HDD located in the Time Capsule.
2. It's a stretch to assume Time Machine can also safely (and with Apple's full support) also support USB AirDisk(s) attached to the Time Capsule. Recall that the earlier version of Time Capsule was the AEBS (10/100 or GbE) supported AirDisk(s) but their use with Time Machine was pulled from Leopard just a week before Leopard was released on Oct 26, 2007. At this time Apple has not made public what their future position is or will be in bringing back this feature.
So for those that are thinking of using USB drive(s) with Time Capsule and hoping to use them with Time Machine I say be forewarned or at least wait for Apple to publically announce support for them before investing in the Time Capsule.

Can you edit from time capsule using firewire?

I'm running Final Cut Pro 7 on a MacBook Pro, editing 35 mb/sec files. Can I use time capsule via firewire to edit in real-time from time capsule?

You will have issues achieving continuous 35Mbit/s speed to the TC.. It is not a particularly high speed device. It doesn't have to be because it is designed for TM backup.. not NAS role.
If you want high speed buy fw800 or if you have latest Mac, thunderbolt based external drive.

Can you use a time capsule's wireless hard drive capabilities without plugging it into a wireless router?

I recently used it as a bridge router from another router but then turn that function off. But now if I just have the time capsule set up on its own I can't even find it on airport utility. It seems funny as it itself is a wireless router...
Thanks for your help

A "hard reset" will not erase the Time Capsule's hard disk. That would require a separate procedure. Your backup data will not be affected.
You can connect it to a router if you wish, but a "hard reset" is more likely to result in less confusion.
Read to be sure you perform it correctly: Resetting an AirPort Base Station or Time Capsule FAQ

Can you use a time capsule to wirelessly back up computers without being connected to the internet?

I have a 2TB time capsule that was connected to a DSL internet connection and was used to back up my Apple laptop and my iMac. I switched to a cable internet provider to get faster speed. I was unable to get the time capsule to connect to the new cable wi-fi network. Since I dont really need the time capsule to provide an internet connection, can I ust set it up as a local network just to back up my computers wirelessly?
Thanks for any help.

When I plugeed the time capsule into the new routerI purchased, the time capsule worked perfectly. I am stilll puzzled as to why the time time capsule didn't work when I plugged it directly into the modem. In summary it works perfectly when plugged into the netgear router which I connected to the cable modem, but I couldn't plug it directly in to the cable modem and have it be my primary router.

Can you force a time capsule firmware update via usb?

I have an Apple Time capsule that appears to have corrupted firmware. The capsule never gets through startup (status light is permanently solid amber), it doesn't respond to a hard reset, and isn't visible via LAN from my computer. My best guess a solution was to somehow force a firmware install to the device using the USB port. Does anyone know if this is possible? Or have another idea for how I can solve this problem?
Thanks

Answered in your other thread. It is not firmware corruption.

Can you connect a Time Capsule to Macbook with USB cable?

I have a 2nd generation TC that I was using as a storage device. I used to be able to connect to it wirelessly and send files there for storage. Now I can no longer do that. It does not show up in my devices. I also tried to hook up via USB and when I do that I can not connect then either. Am I doing something wrong? Any help is greatly appreciated. I have about 50 gb of photos and home video stored on here that I can't get to anymore. I am running
OS X 10.8.4 for my system.

You cannot connect to a TC by USB.. it is now and forever a network drive not a local or external disk.
The best way to access it is to plug in by ethernet.. factory reset the TC and see if you can access it just like that.. otherwise set it to bridge mode and plug in to the main router.
Tell us if you still have issues.
Note a Gen2 is getting pretty old.. it has to have front led at least blinking amber to be working.. many are dead.. many are about to die.. some have dead hard disks.

I have partitioned my time capsule, but I can't get it to work as a Time Machine back up and permanent media server for both mac and PC. What format do I need to partition the drive to so that it works for both mac and windows and so that it will be visab

I have partitioned my time capsule, as I want part of it to act as a media server for both mac and windows. However I don't know what format that I need to partition it to. I also can't make it a permanently accesible drive. I want to restore the drive to the original format (which I don't know) and start again and re-partition the drive in a format that can be used for media by both mac and PC and for time machine back-ups and make the media part of it permanetly accesible so I can add and acccess my files.
Thanks

You are mixing up a couple of things here.
The TC drive cannot be partitioned without removing it.. did you do that?
If you partition it you must use a Mac disk utility and use the HFS+ ie standard Mac format. And GUID partition table not windows type.
You can select erase disk in the airport utility.. that will take the disk back to original format. No partitions. TC is deliberately not partitioned as it is not a media server.. it is a backup device for TM. Over time .. the disk will be filled with TM backups so you have a long history of file changes to your computer.
There is no media server in the TC.. it is merely disk storage.. you can serve files from it to a media device.. but the TC itself is dumb as dumb.
Now the actual format of the drive is irrelevant to the PC.. The TC offers SMB file services to the network. You can copy files to and from the TC as if it was a local disk without caring one iota about the format. The TC handles that .. it is not a local disk .. it is a network drive.
Although you cannot partition the TC. you can still copy files to it.. this does have implications for TM.. but as long as there is plenty of free space should not be a major issue.
You can create a disk image via the disk utility in a Mac.. and as stated you can create partitions if you do it on a Mac with the disk directly connected which means breaking warranty if any exists on the TC.

Can you partition a Time Capsule?

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