Using Time Capsule with existing network?

Question

I am planning on purchasing a Time Capsule, but would like to know if it's right for me before I buy it. Can someone please answer these questions I have about it;
What security do I have available on the Time Capsule to stop other people on the network accessing my backup, any attached devices and the settings of the Time Capsule?
If I plugged my Time Capsule into a network switch (switch is connected to the main router), will I then be able to attach ethernet devices to the Time Capsule without any speed loss for those devices?
I already have wifi but I would like to set up the Time Capsule with a different name and password (and leave the current wifi alone). If someone connected to the Time Capsule, can they access the devices which are connected to the original wifi, and the ones connected to the main router by ethernet?
Can I easily create a partition on my Time Capsule, so I can have 100GB of space available for copying/sharing files directly and then the rest for Time Machine backups?
Can iOS access the files or back up to the Time Capsule?
If I connected a printer to the Time Capsule, can iOS devices use it to print?
I know there's a lot of questions, but I'd appreciate any help with any of the questions.
Thanks.

Answer 1

What security do I have available on the Time Capsule to stop other people on the network accessing my backup, any attached devices and the settings of the Time Capsule?
There is a device password that will be required of any user who wants to access the Time Capsule disk. If the Time Capsule is also configured to provide a wireless network, users will need to enter the wireless network password to be able to connect to the network.
If I plugged my Time Capsule into a network switch (switch is connected to the main router), will I then be able to attach ethernet devices to the Time Capsule without any speed loss for those devices?
In this case, the Time Capsue would be configured to operate in Bridge Mode. It functions as another Ethernet switch in that type of setup. Speed should not be affected.
I already have wifi but I would like to set up the Time Capsule with a different name and password (and leave the current wifi alone). If someone connected to the Time Capsule, can they access the devices which are connected to the original wifi, and the ones connected to the main router by ethernet?
Yes, since the Time Capsule will be in Bridge Mode, devices that connect through the wireless on the Time Capsule will be on the same network as your main router...users connecting through the wireless on the Time Capsule and will be able to "see" other network devices.
Can I easily create a partition on my Time Capsule, so I can have 100GB of space available for copying/sharing files directly and then the rest for Time Machine backups?
No. In order to partition the Time Capsule drive, it would need to be removed from the Time Capsule case, placed in a separate caddy or enclosure and then connected directly to your Mac to allow Disk Utility access to the disk for the partition procedure.  Then, you would have to reinstall the Time Capsule drive back in the Time Capsule case.
In addition to a lot of work, this will void the warranty on the product.
Can iOS access the files or back up to the Time Capsule?
iOS devices back up to iTunes on your computer. Then, when a Mac backs up to the Time Capsule using Time Machine, all of the data is backed up. In other words, iOS devices cannot back up directly to the Time Capsule drive using Time Machine.
Using an App like Filebrowser, it is possible to have the iOS device browse the contents of the Time Capsule drive, but the iOS device will not be able to open files that have  been backed up using Time Machine.
The iOS device will likely open most other normal files stored on the Time Capsule drive if the proper App is installed on the iOS device.
If I connected a printer to the Time Capsule, can iOS devices use it to print?
Yes if the printer is AirPrint compatible. Check this Apple support document to see if your printer is on the list of compatible devices.
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4356
Otherwise, you can add an App like Print Central to the iOS device to possibly allow printing from the iOS devices.