Partitioning Time Capsule

Hey Everyone. There seems to be a lot of debate on this subject, and I know this thread is quite old, but I partitioned my Time Capsule using Disk Utilities (I have included a screenshot), but when my time capsule connects to "Data" it is random which partition it chooses to back up to. Very much like the issue posted here Time Machine backing up to wrong partition on Time Capsule

My question, is... is there a way to target a specific partition for the backup? When I select a Disk for the backup, it will still only show "Data", but both devices will mount separately in finder.

Although this is a very old thread, it is the #1 search result for the query, "partition disk apple Time Capsule". I want report the steps I've taken to 1) increase the storage capacity and 2) create multiple partitions on my Apple Time Capsule, hoping it may help others. Simply, there are multiple machines in the house and I wanted each to be on its own disk partition. Please read the thread's alternative (and simpler) approaches to address this question.

Starting Point/Baseline

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For this howto, an Apple Time Capsule A1409 with a aging 2TB drive

Tools and Prerequisite Steps

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1. (Optional) new and larger SATA hard disk drive; an 8TB drive was
2. Jeweler's phillips screw driver
3. Hair dryer
4. External disk enclosure; a firewire enclosure was used, a USB should work too.
5. You have been warned: Really read the iFixit Guide to remove the Time Capsule's rubber base (it rips easily), screws, metal base AND without breaking the fan's connector, thermal sensor AND without breaking it too, and the drive itself. So, assuming you've removed the Time Capsule's hard drive...

Overview

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• Mount the old drive on your Mac, note partition names, copy a configuration file
• Mount the new drive, Recreate those partitions, copy that configuration file to the new drive
• Put the new drive in the Time Capsule
• From Airport Utility, repair the "Time Capsule" partition
• Place the new drive back into your Mac, split that "Time Capsule" partition into N-partitions as needed
• Mount the new drive in the Time Capsule (second time)
• From multiple computers, select their Time Capsule drive; use the partition of you choice

Steps

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1. Assuming you've removed the Time Capsule's old drive

Place the old drive in the enclosure

mount the drive on your Mac,

New Hard Drive and Multiple Partitions for an Apple Time Capsule

Wow, I only have 15 minutes to type a response and then no way to edit or delete a post. Bad design by Apple. I learned my lesson. Here is the complete response:

Although this is a very old thread, it is the #1 search result for the query, "partition disk apple Time Capsule". I want report the steps I've taken to 1) increase the storage capacity of my Time Capsule, and 2) create multiple partitions on that Apple Time Capsule. Although a long post, I hope it may help others. Simply, there are multiple machines in the house and I wanted each to be on its own disk partition. Please read the thread's alternative (and simpler) approaches to address this question.

Starting Point/Baseline

• For this howto, an Apple Time Capsule A1409 with an aging 2TB drive
• Assume you already know how to use Disk Utility and the Airport Utility applications
• Assume you are already mechanically adept or at least willing to deconstruct your Time Capsule
• Assume you'll void any warranty

Tools and Prerequisite Steps

1. (Optional) new and larger SATA hard disk drive; an 8TB drive was purchased
2. Jeweler's phillips screw driver
3. Hair dryer
4. External disk enclosure; a firewire enclosure was used, a USB should work too.
5. Really read the iFixit Guide to remove the Time Capsule's rubber base (it rips easily), screws, metal base (without breaking the fan's connector), thermal sensor (without breaking it too), and finally, remove the hard drive itself. You have been warned.

Overview (for the impatient)

• Mount the old drive on your Mac, note partition names, copy a configuration file
• Mount the new drive, recreate those partitions, copy that configuration file onto the new drive
• Put the new drive in the Time Capsule
• From Airport Utility, repair/erase the "Time Capsule" partition
• Place the new drive back into your Mac, split that repaired/erased "Time Capsule" partition into N-partitions as desired
• Mount the new drive in the Time Capsule (second time)
• From multiple computers, select their Time Capsule drive; use a partition of you choice; Use Time Machine
• QED

Steps

1. Assuming you've removed the Time Capsule's old drive
2. Place the old drive in the enclosure
3. Mount (attach) the old drive on your Mac
4. Note that the old drive has three partitions: "APconfig", "APswap", "Time Capsule"
5. Copy the configuration file from the APconfig partition to your Desktop
6. Unmount and remove the old drive
7. Place the new drive in the enclosure
8. Mount (attach) the new drive
9. Start the Disk Utility application
10. Create an "APconfig" and "APswap" partition. Both are 1GB each. These partitions will never be revealed to you (via the Airport Utility or if you access your Time Capsule's disk as a server for instance. I assume that both are for the Time Capsule system itself, so whatever their size in nominal
11. Create at least two more partitions (you pick their sizes): One should be "Time Capsule" and the other is a name of your choosing, for instance "Bubbles"
12. Unmount, remove, and then place/connect the new drive in the Time Capsule
13. Power on the Time Capsule
14. Note the amber light; your Time Capsule has identified a problem for you to fix
15. Use the Airport Utility to erase the time capsule's hard drive, fixing whatever problem your Time Capsule had
16. Power down (pull the plug) and remove the new drive
17. Place the new drive back in the enclosure
18. Mount (attach) the new drive on your Mac
19. Start the Disk Utility application
20. Split the newly erased "Time Capsule" partition for your new drive. In this example, you'd have two partitions: "Time Capsule" (no change, this partition is already there) and "Bubbles". Again, you can have two or more partitions, and you pick their sizes
21. Unmount, remove and then put the new drive back in the Time Capsule.
22. Power Up
23. Note the Green status light
24. "Open Time Machine Preferences..." and select the partition that you want to associate with that specific computer. Repeat for other computers
25. QED, enjoy.

Closing Remarks

• Why two partitioning steps? What if I just want one

  IDK. After much trial and error, this was the process that worked for me.

• Was it absolutely necessary to copy the config file?

  Probably not. However, that fact that the Time Capsule retained my settings, password, etc. was a nice benefit.

• Does the creation-order of the "APconfig", "APswap", and then the other partitions matter?

  Probably not. I simply reconstructed them as seen on the old drive (Step 4.)

• Dude, this is long and complicated. Surely, there's an easier, better, simpler way?

  Yep, you're right, but this old question asked how to re-partition an Apple Time Capsule. And stop calling me surely.