HT201510: Setting up Time Capsule for the first time

Learn about Setting up Time Capsule for the first time
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janismac
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Q: Am I able to access my external hard drive through the Time Capsule when I'm away from my home?

I am out of town a lot and I do a lot of photoshop/scrapbooking.  I would like to have my pictures and supplies on one hard drive that I'm able to access whether I'm at home or way.  Do you know if this is doable with the Time Capsule?  I know I can use the iCloud option but I'd rather not if I don't have to.

 

Thank you,

iMac, Mac OS X (10.6.8)

Posted on Mar 23, 2013 3:50 PM

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janismac

Q: Am I able to access my external hard drive through the Time Capsule when I'm away from my home?

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  • by LaPastenague,Helpful

    LaPastenague LaPastenague Mar 23, 2013 6:33 PM in response to janismac
    Level 9 (52,984 points)
    Wireless
    Mar 23, 2013 6:33 PM in response to janismac

    So if you don't want to use iCloud and BTMM, how are you going to locate the TC on the internet??

     

    There are several possible ways to directly access TC.. using AFP only.. ie you must use a Mac.

     

    The TC has to be setup correctly to allow remote access or the router you are using does.

     

    But more importantly what IP is the ISP going to give you.. have you purchased a static public IP?? If not your IP is constantly changing and you need to use a dyndns service to provide a connection to the TC.. this is what icloud and btmm do.. but they hide it to make it useless to any other service.

     

    TC does not have a dyndns client that is available for use by enduser.. so you need a decent router that does allow access and dyndns and you can bridge the TC behind it. All a lot of work to avoid icloud.

     

    For more details just google remote access time capsule.. there is plenty of info, youtube videos etc.

  • by janismac,

    janismac janismac Mar 25, 2013 3:36 PM in response to LaPastenague
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Mar 25, 2013 3:36 PM in response to LaPastenague

    Thanks for your quick response.  I guess my question clearly indicates my lack of knowledge here.  I will use iCloud and I've set my iMac up for BTMM (at least I think I have).  I guess my real question here is, am I able (through whatever process I need to do) be able to access my files remotely through the TC.  I have an iMac and a MacBook Air and I travel extensively.  I'll take your advise and look on google and youtube for instructions.  Thank you so much for your help!

  • by LaPastenague,

    LaPastenague LaPastenague Mar 25, 2013 4:13 PM in response to janismac
    Level 9 (52,984 points)
    Wireless
    Mar 25, 2013 4:13 PM in response to janismac

    If you already have btmm and icloud setup for imac your most of the way there.. I don't follow why you don't want to use them for the TC.

     

    See the Apple instructions for access to Extreme or TC over btmm.

     

    http://support.apple.com/kb/ht3486

  • by janismac,

    janismac janismac Mar 25, 2013 4:51 PM in response to LaPastenague
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Mar 25, 2013 4:51 PM in response to LaPastenague

    Other than the fact that I have about 750 gigs of hard drive already taken up with my photos and art journalling kits I use I thought purchasing storage through iCloud would be unreasonably expensive cost per year.  I currently have 25 gigs of storage on iCloud but the prospect of needing so much is daunting.

     

    Thanks again and I'll follow the instructions you'e so generously provided to me.

  • by LaPastenague,

    LaPastenague LaPastenague Mar 25, 2013 6:29 PM in response to janismac
    Level 9 (52,984 points)
    Wireless
    Mar 25, 2013 6:29 PM in response to janismac

    Sorry.. I think you are confusing things..

     

    The access to the mac or TC is via icloud.. but the files are not stored on icloud.. it is merely access.

     

    ie I connect to my TC from overseas.. all the icloud does is link my computer (laptop whatever you are carrying) to the TC.. files are passed via the icloud server but are not stored there.

     

    This is also one of the issues.. because the connection to your TC will be limited by your upload speed.. if you have normal internet your upload is probably limited to 1Mbps.. so that is the fastest speed you can get.. same the other way.. your local service via 3G or whatever will have limited upload speed.

     

    Hope that helps.