Kurt Lysne
Level 1 (5 points)

Q: Can I use the time capsule internal hard drive for file storage?

Can I configure the Time Capsule internal HD to function as a network file server as well as handling time machine backups?

 

Can the internal HD be partitioned?

Posted on Jan 4, 2014 12:06 PM

by LaPastenague,Solvedanswer
LaPastenague LaPastenague
Level 9 (52,880 points)
Wireless
A:

Other than being slow due to the mulitiple computers no, it should be ok.. Time Machine is tuned to the TC.

 

And it works fine keeping backups for several Macs.. it is putting files and especially live files on the TC that is a problem.

Posted on Jan 4, 2014 7:43 PM

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Kurt Lysne

Q: Can I use the time capsule internal hard drive for file storage?

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  • by LaPastenague,Helpful

    LaPastenague LaPastenague Jan 4, 2014 12:20 PM in response to Kurt Lysne
    Level 9 (52,880 points)
    Wireless
    Jan 4, 2014 12:20 PM in response to Kurt Lysne

    This is asked several times a day.. obviously people are struggling with their latest SSD being too small.

     

    The TC is not suitable for network file server.. but many people having no choice press it into service as such.

     

    It cannot be partitioned. It was and is and ever shall be a backup device for Time Machine.

     

    Major issues.

     

    1. No backup.. no way Time Machine can backup a network drive. No place to backup to.. So all your files will be at risk. And you will need to buy a third party like CCC to do backup.

     

    2. The TC cannot be partitioned and mixing TM backups and data is not great.

     

    3. The drive is slow to spin up and quick to spin down.. there is no controls.

     

    4. iPhoto in particular can easily corrupt its entire library with wireless networking causing a disconnection to one photo. Even if you do this;;; do not move your photo library... you have been warned!!

     

    5. iTunes will constantly lose connection to the library. The disk is too slow to respond.. itunes on the computer will constantly spit out errors. Even in the midst of streaming the TC can spin down the disk due to caching. 

     

    6. Do not use any live files on the TC no matter what else you do.. if you edit files in whatever program the file must be on the local hard disk.

     

    7. The only suitable location for most libraries is a computer. You can plug in an external hard disk.

     

    Read pondini for some work arounds.

     

    Q3 here. http://pondini.org/TM/Time_Capsule.html

  • by Kurt Lysne,

    Kurt Lysne Kurt Lysne Jan 4, 2014 5:19 PM in response to LaPastenague
    Level 1 (5 points)
    Jan 4, 2014 5:19 PM in response to LaPastenague

    TThanks for the comprehensive answer.

     

    I am backing up three discreet Macs to the Time Capsule using Time Machine.

     

    WIll I have issues doing this?

  • by LaPastenague,Solvedanswer

    LaPastenague LaPastenague Jan 4, 2014 7:43 PM in response to Kurt Lysne
    Level 9 (52,880 points)
    Wireless
    Jan 4, 2014 7:43 PM in response to Kurt Lysne

    Other than being slow due to the mulitiple computers no, it should be ok.. Time Machine is tuned to the TC.

     

    And it works fine keeping backups for several Macs.. it is putting files and especially live files on the TC that is a problem.

  • by Kurt Lysne,

    Kurt Lysne Kurt Lysne Jan 5, 2014 8:01 AM in response to LaPastenague
    Level 1 (5 points)
    Jan 5, 2014 8:01 AM in response to LaPastenague

    Thank you,

     

    Kurt