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I just had a lightning strike and ended up with a dead cable modem and time Capsule.
The TC just sits there with the fast orange blink. I reset it, but I cannot see it from airport utility.
Anyway, I need to replace it. What options do I have for wireless Time machine backup and wifi routing?
MacBook
The Time Capsule was....and still is.....the only product that combined a router and a built in hard drive, so If you were happy with the Time Capsule, you might consider buying another. Products are still available as new, refurbished and used on Ebay. Some of the other online stores may still have product as well.
Otherwise, you will need to look for a WiFi router that will support Time Machine at the USB port on the device and add a separate USB drive for backups. Synology and the upper end Asus routers qualify, and there may be others.
Another option would be to purchase a new WiFi router and connect a Network Attached Storage (NAS) device to one of the Ethernet ports on the router. You will be able to back up over the WiFi to the NAS. Synology is the NAS brand of choice among most of the regular contributors to the support forums, but there may be other devices and brands that will work as well. Just make sure that the NAS will support Time Machine, as some do not.
Stay tuned for more answers from other users as well.
The Time Capsule was....and still is.....the only product that combined a router and a built in hard drive, so If you were happy with the Time Capsule, you might consider buying another. Products are still available as new, refurbished and used on Ebay. Some of the other online stores may still have product as well.
Otherwise, you will need to look for a WiFi router that will support Time Machine at the USB port on the device and add a separate USB drive for backups. Synology and the upper end Asus routers qualify, and there may be others.
Another option would be to purchase a new WiFi router and connect a Network Attached Storage (NAS) device to one of the Ethernet ports on the router. You will be able to back up over the WiFi to the NAS. Synology is the NAS brand of choice among most of the regular contributors to the support forums, but there may be other devices and brands that will work as well. Just make sure that the NAS will support Time Machine, as some do not.
Stay tuned for more answers from other users as well.
The Synology router as Bob indicated is a good choice. RT2600AC is not perfect. But out of all the routers I tested was the best for Time Machine backup over network. And it does work out a lot cheaper than using Synology NAS which also is the best of the bunch. The firmware is shared between the router and NAS.. so that has its good and bad sides.
I am less keen on the high end Asus.. better routers in some ways cf Synology but long term reliability of backup is questionable.
If you have a desktop Mac in your network.. or prepared to use one.. and you also use High Sierra and above Apple has provided Time Machine extensions for network backup between computers.
https://www.howtogeek.com/330288/how-to-set-up-your-mac-to-act-as-a-networked-time-machine-drive/
Otherwise you are stuck with plugging in a USB drive directly to the computer. For reliability this is good it is not as convenient.
Good to see. Using a separate backup on weekly basis is very good practice as it maintains an offline backup not subject to network bugs and petty criminals trying to ransom your files.
We are all surprised Apple has not filled the void that ending the Airport / Time Capsule product line produced, especially without a special tieup with a 3rd party.
I have to admit that an older Gen4 TC with a power supply replacement and a new large disk plugged into your network with wireless off can actually make a reasonable solution for the interim. They are getting long in the tooth but cost near to nothing. The backup speed was just as fast as the Gen5. And the build quality hugely better. Longer term that is still going to need replacement though.
A NAS is expensive and you do need to use it as file server to justify the layout. However Apple is moving to Cloud and not supporting local shared networks to any great extent.
I think I am going to go with the Synology router and an external hard disk.
While I really like the Time Capsule - it has kept a usb + parallel HP laserjet going for 10 years - I think it is time to move on since Apple has decided not to support it. The Synology router has many more options - maybe too many - and will be a good fit.
I hope to be able to rip the HD out of the TC and try to see if the files are still available.
Everything will be there on the hard drive, assuming that it is operating correctly.
If you have an older "flat" or "square" Time Capsule that looks like a small white pizza box, there are some disassembly tips here:
Apple Time Capsule Model A1302 Hard Drive Replacement - iFixit ...https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/Apple+Time+Capsule+Model...Hard+Drive.../2750
If you have the most recent "tall" or "tower" shaped version, there are some tips in the link below.
You will need a SATA to USB caddy or adapter to be able to connect the drive to a USB port on your Mac.
If you don't have a local source, Other World Computing has a nice NewTech model for about $30. I have no interest in Other World Computing or NewTech other an that as a customer.
Thanks everyone. Actually I like to do both. Use the wireless Time Machine all the time and the externals weekly.
Thanks, I had already checked out the iFixit page. The nice thing is that I don't have to worry about putting it back together!
Time Capsule replacement
