Using Time Capsule only for back-ups, not as a modem

Hi, We have Comcast modem and router for internet connection. Is it possible to use Time Capsule only for Time Machine-generated back-ups of our Macs?
Is there any complication setting up TC for use as back-up only device?
Thanks!

You can use TC this way. And it's very simple to setup.
Check out the setup guide here:
http://manuals.info.apple.com/enUS/Time_Capsule_Early2009Setup.pdf
EDIT:
I've just noticed that they've removed the section "Using Your Time Capsule on an Existing Wireless Network" from the new manual.
Anyway here is a copy of the text under that section in the old guide:
To set it up:
1 Open AirPort Utility (located in /Applications/Utilities/ on a computer using Mac OS X,
and in Start > All Programs > AirPort on a computer using Windows), select your Time
Capsule, and then click Continue.
2 Follow the onscreen instructions to join your current wireless network.
3 After your Time Capsule is set up, you can use Mac OS X Leopard to set up Time
Machine to back up the Mac OS X Leopard computers on your network. See “Using
Time Machine with Your Time Capsule” on page 27 for more information.
If you’re using an earlier version of Mac OS X, or if you’re using Windows, you can
connect to Time Capsule to share or back up files.
Message was edited by: dchao99

Similar Messages

Using Time Capsule only for Backup, Not Attached to Modem Network

How do I use the Time Capsule for backup without attaching it to the Internet?
I have a slower Airport already attached to my cable modem. I don't want to slow down the Time Capsule by attaching it to that network, and I don't want the Time Capsule out in my living room by the modem. If someone takes my computer, I don't want them taking my only backup of it too.
I want to put the Time Capsule in a closet or an attic, as many people do now.
How do I get it to function independently of the Internet, though? Would seem easy enough. I want to just use the backup function, but not sure if it can be set up without connecting to a modem. If that's true, why on earth would Apple shoot its backup solution in the foot like that? Hope it's not the case.
Any guidance out there for doing this or confirmation that it's impossible?

Yes, TC will work without an internet connection.
Your issue with not have the TC network connect to your existing network means you have TWO independent networks. However, your Macs have ONE Airport card; therefore, you can only be logged onto either your internet network or your TC network. Therefore, you would need to manually change your Airport settings to log onto the TC network to access it or maybe an additional network card on your Mac (I don't know if this is possible). BTW, you will need to set up the TC to Create a wireless network.

Is the AirPort Time Capsule only for backing up Macs or can I back up additional files from SD cards too as if it were an external hard drive?

I'm a professional photographer and I'm interested in the most recent features of the AirPort Time Capsule. I process a lot of data and much of it never hits my Mac hard drive. Currently I back up to external hard drives, but is it possible to back up files from SD cards mounted on my desktop on to the AirPort Time Capsule for instant access in the future as if the drive were an external hard drive (in addition to being a back up server)?
I appreciate input!

If your question is whether Time Machine can back up the data on the SD drives, the answer would be no.
The reason for this is that SD drives are formatted in Windows FAT16, which is not compatible with Time Machine, the backup application included with Macs.

How do I set up my new Time Capsule just to back up not as a wireless?

Can anyone tell me how to use my new Time Capsule just for back up not as a wireless router?
I have an ATT Uverse for my wireless service and have not been able to get the two to work together.
I just want to plug my Time capsule in and connect it to my MacBook Pro with an ethernet an click backup.
So far my computer doesn't reconnect the Time Capsule.
Thank you for your help

You will need to configure the Time Capsule (TC) to join the wireless network provided by the ATT Uverse router, as follows:
Either connect to the TC's wireless network or temporarily connect your computer directly (using an Ethernet cable) to one of the LAN port of the TC, and then, using the AirPort Utility, change this setting:
AirPort Utility > Select the TC > Manual Setup > AirPort > Wireless tab > Wireless Mode: Join a wireless network
Wireless tab > Wireless Network Name: <select the ATT Uverse network>
This configuration will allow your Mac to connect by wireless to the ATT Uverse router and perform Time Machine backups wirelessly.
If you want to only do this backups by wire, then you will need to connect the TC directly to the ATT Uverse router by Ethernet, and then, reconfigure the TC as a bridge. You can then connect the Mac to the TC by Ethernet as well for backups.

Can I use Time Capsule as external storage and not for Time Machine?

Can I use Time Capsule as external storage and not for Time Machine?
I want to just use it like a USB drive but wirelessly and so other people in my suite can use it wirelessly to get the files I put on there. Let me know if you need me to explain some more

Will the Time Capsule come with directions on how to set it up as external storage rather then time machine.
Yes, AirPort Utility will walk you through the setup.
Because when I watched the video on it it says that time machine is automatically recognized
You have to turn Time Machine "On" for each Mac separately. By default, it is "Off". Leave it off if you do not want to use Time Machine. If by some chance Time Machine is "On", then turn it "Off"

Can I use Time Capsule to just back up my iTunes catalogue?

Can I use Time Capsule to just back up my iTunes catalogue? or will it back up everything on my Mac?

Set Time Machine to exclude everything else, or keep Time Machine turned off and drag the catalogue to the Time Capsule manually.
(63467)

Can I use Time Capsule only as a WiFi backup disk w/out having to configure it as my main router?

I already have an Airport Extreme that works great. Can I use Time Capsule ONLY as a WiFi backup disk w/out having to configure it as my main router with my Internet modem?

Can I use Time Capsule ONLY as a WiFi backup disk w/out having to configure it as my main router with my Internet modem?
Yes, you have two options here, each with advantages and disadvantages.
Option 1...connect the Time Capsule to your AirPort Extreme using an Ethernet cable connection. Turn off the wireless on the Time Capsule since your AirPort Extreme is already providing wireless.
Advantages...easy to configure, you can backup either over wireless or plug directly into one of the Ethernet ports to backup large files 3-5 times faster than wireless.
Disadvantages...none, except it requires a wired Ethernet connection to the AirPort Extreme.
Option 2....configure the Time Capsule as a wireless only hard drive.
Advantage.....you can locate the Time Capsule anywhere you want as long as it can receive a good wireless signal from the AirPort Extreme.
Disadvantages....harder to configure, backups will occur only over wireless.

Using Time Capsule as Drive Back-Up Only (Not as Router)?

Since I already have a router I'm fine with, is it possible to use the Time Capsule ONLY as an external drive back-up (with Time Machine)?
If so, any special set-up tips I should know, or will it be amazingly smoothly easy as all things Apple have been for me thus far?

The TC can be attached in bridged mode to your router and will then act as a NAS drive for time machine backups also it provides additional wireless access points . Set up is fairly straightforward.

Can I use Time Capsule only as a wireless HD?

Do I need to connect Time Capsule to my Verizon Fios Wireless Router (Actiontec) for it to function as a wireless HD and printer hub? Any input would be appreciated>
Thanx
Eddy

No you do not need to connect your Verizon router to the Time Capsule to function. The Time Capsule can function by itself since it is also a built-in router. However, if you plan on using HD and printer capabilities within your network, then yes you do need to run a wire from your Verizon router into the Time Capsule to connect the two together. Otherwise, if you didn't connect the two, then you'd have to physically change the wire on your computer to Time Capsule, or your wireless connection to Time Capsule to use these features.
I just read Henry's post. This is assuming if you want to use Time Capsule as a stand alone (my post) and not your Verizon router. Hope this makes sense..
Message was edited by: Jorge G.

Can I use time capsule as a back-up device and not use the wireless?

Hello. I have recently had many issues with a new Time Capsule.
My question is : Can I use my TC as a back-up device and not wireless while I am using my Lynksys router as my WiFi device? Thx.

Can I use my TC as a back-up device and not wireless while I am using my Lynksys router as my WiFi device?
Yes, turn off the wireless on the TC if you want to do this.
Open AirPort Utility, click on the TC, and click Edit
Click the Wireless tab at the top of the page
Change Wireless Mode to Off
Update to save the new settings

Want to use Time Capsule as a back up AND external storage device-help!

I know there's been a few variations on this question but I can't seem to find the answer that relates to me so probably being dumb but help would be greatly appreciated.
I bought a 500gb Time Capsule yesterday and finally got it set up through AirPort Utility. I think I've done it right-there's a green light and it's going through the motions of backing up although VERY slowly. It's taken 10 hours to back up 20GB. I've used Time Machine before with an external Seagate drive so I know how to access/check those back ups.
I have a dish on the side of my house (on side of a mountain!) that brings the internet signal into a wireless router and then my MacBook accesses through that WIFI network. I plugged the ethernet cable from one of the standard ports out the back of the router into the WAN port on the Time Capsule as part of the setup and that seems to be right in that I can see the TC and surf the net.
So, now I just want to see the Time capsule as a normal external drive on my desktop and move other files to it so they can come off my Macbook completely but the only way icon I can see if the white one that says 'Backup of...' I've copied stuff onto this but I suspect that was the wrong thing to do.
Finally, I only want to TM to use the TC up to a certain max storage so I always have space free on it but can't find settings to allow me to do that.
I'd be really grateful if someone could tell me how to set this up properly!

Paretola wrote:
So, now I just want to see the Time capsule as a normal external drive on my desktop and move other files to it so they can come off my Macbook completely but the only way icon I can see if the white one that says 'Backup of...' I've copied stuff onto this but I suspect that was the wrong thing to do.
No. Don't transfer anything into the Back of... sparsebundle. That is your Time Machine backup.
Under Finder -> Shared -> Time Capsule -> Time Capsule Disk. This is where you can create a new folder to store your files. If you want to see this on your Desktop, via Finder, click Preferences. Under General, make sure +Connected servers+ is ticked.
Finally, I only want to TM to use the TC up to a certain max storage so I always have space free on it but can't find settings to allow me to do that.
Since the TC HDD isn't partitionable, you can't really do that. Best thing is to get another HDD for storage as TM works best if you give it enough room to grow.
I'd be really grateful if someone could tell me how to set this up properly!

Use time capsule drive for mass storage instead of time machine

I'm considering buying a new Airport Extreme with the time capsule drive. I'd interested to know if I can use the built in drive as an additional HD verses using it for a back up drive with time machine? I'm aware I can plug in a USB external drive for network storage, but would like to use the built one for storage as well. Anyone know if this is possible?

I just got a 2TB time capsule a few days ago to use as a "poor man's file server" for my iTunes library. Bob makes valid points, and I am aware of the limitations, but I think it will meet my needs for awhile. I am in the process of ripping a large DVD collection and my iTunes library is over 350gb which was starting to feel crowded on my MBA's 512gb SSD.
I have plenty of external USB and thunderbolt drives, but I wanted wireless access to the libary anywhere in the house. With the AC wireless on my 2013 MBA, I wouldn't really classify the time capsule as "quite slow", I'm seeing about 30MB/s for FInder file copies. I have a 1TB USB2 WD Passport drive and the speed is very comparable - about 35MB/s. Sure, it's not as fast as my thunderbolt drive at 190MB/s or SSD at 700MB/s, but it seems to work well for my content (I don't use HD video in iTunes).
The only noticeable issue is that the TC disk spins down almost immediately if it isn't in use, so you get a lag of a few seconds if you pause a movie for a minute. And it takes longer to start iTunes of course. For me, these were acceptable trade-offs to allow my library to grow to 2TB without any directly connected external storage.
I wanted an AC router regardless and the TC gives me a wireless disk for $100 more. In the future I can always add a "real" media server and let the TC do backups. But for now I'm happy with the way it works.

Clean the time capsule from all back ups

How to clean up the time capsule to 0,i want to give it to a friend clean and reset.With none of my back ups and new resettings for him.

Here is how to do what you want to do:
Open AirPort Utility - click Manual Setup
Click the Disks icon, then click the Disks tab, then click Erase.
I would recommend that you choose the "Zero Out" option. This will replace everything on the drive with a "O" (Zero). This will probably take 4-6 hours depending on how much data you have on the disk. The 7 pass option will Zero Out 7 times and take a few days. The 35 pass option will take weeks.
Once the drive is erased, open AirPort Utility again and click Manual Setup
Click the Base Station menu at the uppermost top of the computer screen in the same toolbar as the Apple icon. Select "Restore Default Settings". This will only take about 30 seconds. When the Time Capsule blinks amber slowly, you are done.

How to use Time capsule/machine to back up external HD

Hey, I cannot find an answer to this. My problem is simple. I just started using time machine with my new capsule. I have successfully used TM to back up my internal macbook hard drive, however all my music is on my external hard drive. I want time machine to back up my music from my current external HD to my Time Capsule. I've gone into Time machine preferences in order to remove my external HD from the "do not back up" list (which it is currently in), however, i am not allowed the option to remove it. Any thoughts.

First your external HDD with all your music needs to be directly connected to your Mac. Second, it needs to be formatted HFS+ (Mac OS Extended - Journal). Time Machine will not backup a FAT32 or NTFS formatted HDD. Check under Disk Utility to confirm. If you need to re-format, you will need to transfer all you data to another HDD and reformat with Disk Utility. After moving your files back, try Time Machine again. Go to Options and try to exclude.

Use time capsule both for time machine and external disk

is there a tuto on how to configure the time capsule to be able to use it both as a time machine back-up utility and a storage external disk for music files and video files, for example?

Mixing Time Machine backups and other data on a TC's internal HD presents some conflicts. See #Q3 in Using Time Machine with a Time Capsule for an explanation and some workarounds.
Also . . . how are you planning to back up the "other" data?

Using Time Capsule only for back-ups, not as a modem

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