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Level 1

83 points

How to create a network available drive

I want to do something pretty basic, but I wanted to get advice on the right way. I already have a home ethernet and wifi network. I want to set up a seperate hard drive which acts as both a Time Machine back up and also a place to store files which would be shared on the network. Right now, the shared files are on my computer, which means that my computer has to be on to access. Also, there can be privelages issues. I want the hard drive plugged into the network, but not attached to my computer (partly because I want it hidden in the basement for security).

So can anyone tell me exactly what I need to do this? I want it wired with ethernet, so do I just get a network drive, that is, a drive with ethernet, and plug it in on the network and all the computers see that, or do I need to set up some kind of server thing? Can I back and share files with one single network drive or does it need to be two physical drives or one drive partitioned?

If anyone has some basic advice or a link to a site that explains it (Home network for dummies type of thing) that would be much appreciated.

Cheers,

David

iMac, OS X Mountain Lion

Posted on Jun 13, 2013 1:22 PM

67 replies

Cartoonguy Author

Level 1

83 points

Jun 14, 2013 11:17 AM in response to Csound1

Okay, I am learning a lot about the vagaries of the various claims about what hardware will work and what won't. At least I can see that my original question was not a stupid one! So my goal of having a Time Machine back up on my network so that I can place it in a secure location seperate to my computer, is really not possible unless I buy the Apple Time Capsule product. I am surprised to learn that, but appreciative of the advice.

Csound1

Level 9

59,973 points

Jun 14, 2013 11:20 AM in response to Cartoonguy

Cartoonguy wrote:

Okay, I am learning a lot about the vagaries of the various claims about what hardware will work and what won't.

Marketing, it's a wild landscape out there 🙂

At least I can see that my original question was not a stupid one!

Not at all.

So my goal of having a Time Machine back up on my network so that I can place it in a secure location seperate to my computer, is really not possible unless I buy the Apple Time Capsule product. I am surprised to learn that, but appreciative of the advice.

It may be but do you want to be the experimenter? especially with your backup, buy the Time Capsule.

Cartoonguy Author

Level 1

83 points

Jun 14, 2013 12:08 PM in response to Csound1

Okay, Time Capsule. I got the message! 🙂 With Time Capsule, can I attach a second USB drive to it to expand it's back up capabilities? Will it back up to a drive attached by USB, if I want to do that? I ask because someone is selling a 500gb time capsule pretty cheap and I already have a 2TB drive I am using now for back up, so I could do that.

Csound1

Level 9

59,973 points

Jun 14, 2013 12:17 PM in response to Cartoonguy

Cartoonguy wrote:

Okay, Time Capsule. I got the message! 🙂 With Time Capsule, can I attach a second USB drive to it to expand it's back up capabilities? Will it back up to a drive attached by USB, if I want to do that? I ask because someone is selling a 500gb time capsule pretty cheap and I already have a 2TB drive I am using now for back up, so I could do that.

Not sure, maybe Pondini will pop back in and answer that for you, my guess is no, but it is a guess.

Pondini

Level 8

38,863 points

Jun 14, 2013 12:54 PM in response to Cartoonguy

Cartoonguy wrote:

. . .

With Time Capsule, can I attach a second USB drive to it to expand it's back up capabilities? Will it back up to a drive attached by USB, if I want to do that?

Yes. The backups for any one Mac can't "span" from the internal HD to a USB drive, but lots of folks back up one Mac to the internal HD, one or more others to the USB drive. I back up my Mac to both, just for insurance.

With a powered hub, you can connect more than one (the USB port is underpowered -- some folks need them even with a single large self-powered drive).

I ask because someone is selling a 500gb time capsule pretty cheap and I already have a 2TB drive I am using now for back up, so I could do that.

Yes, but . . . you can't continue backing-up to the same set of backups, as they're stored differently when done over a network. See the blue box in #E2 of Time Machine - Troubleshooting.

Be aware that the 500 GB models were discontinued in July, 2009, so it's at least 4 years old already. I certainly wouldn't depend on the HD lasting much longer, and maybe not the rest, either.

Message was edited by: Pondini

Csound1

Level 9

59,973 points

Jun 14, 2013 12:56 PM in response to Pondini

It's good that you came back, I was way out with my guess 😟

Pondini

Level 8

38,863 points

Jun 14, 2013 12:59 PM in response to Csound1

None of us were born knowing all this weird stuff! 😉

Csound1

Level 9

59,973 points

Jun 14, 2013 1:11 PM in response to Pondini

Thank the lord for that, my teenage years would have been a lot less fun. 😉

Pondini

Level 8

38,863 points

Jun 14, 2013 1:12 PM in response to Csound1

😁 😁 😁

Cartoonguy Author

Level 1

83 points

Jun 14, 2013 2:31 PM in response to Pondini

Thanks for all this explanation. Much clearer on all this now. Funny how nothing is ever quite what it seems.

I get that I would have to redo my existing backup, but that's not such a big deal. I guess i would lose the incremental back ups I have now, but I'm not too worried about that. Good point about the older Time Capsule, but again, if I do end up getting one, I would just use it as a pass through for my attached 2TB drive. I notice that the previous model 2TB TC is reduced in the Apple refurb section right now, so that might be the way to go.

Appreciate your help. Thanks again.

Pondini

Level 8

38,863 points

Jun 14, 2013 7:27 PM in response to Cartoonguy

Hold the phone!

We've just learned that the new Airport Extreme Setup Guide for the new models says Time Machine backups to a USB drive connected to it are now supported (in the older models, it was not). See page 13.

However, Apple just updated AirPort base stations: Time Machine hard drive compatibility on June 11, saying it's not supported, with no distinction between the new and old models.

One of our hardware gurus says the new model has the same new innards as the new Time Capsule, so perhaps the Setup Guide is right. If so, that sounds like a much better alternative for you (and $199 vs. $299).

You might want to wait a bit until we can get clarification.

Message was edited by: Pondini

Cartoonguy Author

Level 1

83 points

Jun 14, 2013 11:13 PM in response to Pondini

I'm not seeing in those links where it says it's not supported. I only see that it says it is. In any case, are you saying that the older models definately do support backing up to external drive anyway?

Pondini

Level 8

38,863 points

Jun 15, 2013 6:04 AM in response to Cartoonguy

Cartoonguy wrote:

I'm not seeing in those links where it says it's not supported.

From the second link:

Additional Information

Time Machine is not supported with USB hard drives that are connected to an AirPort Express or AirPort Extreme device.

If you look in the Help on your Mac, the Disks you can use with Time Machine section says Time Machine "can't" back up that way.

In any case, are you saying that the older models definately do support backing up to external drive anyway?

No. The old ones work sometimes, but are generally unreliable for use with Time Machine -- the backups tend to turn up corrupted with no warning.

The new models have different hardware and firmware (and cost more) and since the new Setup Guide clearly says it's supported, apparently it is. I have asked for clarification, but it may just be that the support articles and Help haven't been updated yet.

Message was edited by: Pondini

Csound1

Level 9

59,973 points

Jun 15, 2013 6:58 AM in response to Pondini

Pondini wrote:

In any case, are you saying that the older models definately do support backing up to external drive anyway?

No. The old ones work sometimes, but are generally unreliable for use with Time Machine -- the backups tend to turn up corrupted with no warning.

That has been my experience as well.

Cartoonguy Author

Level 1

83 points

Jun 15, 2013 7:18 AM in response to Pondini

Wow, I can't believe how confusing this is. Indeed it does say that, but I read the part above that flatly contradicts the additional info at the bottom:

Time Machine works with:

AirPort Time Capsule's built-in hard drive (any model)
External USB hard drive connected to AirPort Time Capsule (any model)

Wha..?

Googled to find more info on using a second hard drive attached to the TC and found this: http://store.apple.com/us_smb_78313/question/answers/readonly/can-you-expand-the -time-capsules-storage-capacity-with-an-external-usb-hard-drive/Q7K7DYP4UPXUT27Y Y

The second comment describes it as I wouild expect. What I don't get is why there would be any issue with this (but I suppose there is plenty I don't understand!). If Time Machine backs up to a drive attached to your computer by USB, then why would it not correctly back up to a drive attached to the TC by USB? I don't get why that would even be an issue.

Indeed the Airport Extreme manual says:

"If you connect a USB hard disk to your AirPort Extreme, you can use the Time Machine

application to back up all your Mac computers, including your photos, music, movies,

and documents."

Here's another article that says you can do this: http://osxdaily.com/2011/06/21/use-external-usb-hard-drive-with-time-capsule/

I'm not trying to challenge your advice, you clearly know what you are doing, but I am trying to show why this is so utterly confusing when so much about Apple is supposed to be simple and easy. I just don't get why this ie either supported or not supported. I guess things are just never that simple.

How to create a network available drive