TC with MBA for internet file access

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TC with MBA for internet file access

I just purchased a 13" MBA with 256gb of storage. I don't ever use that much really. I also purchased the 2TB TC thinking that I could store my files, pictures and movies, music etc and be able to access it from other computer outside my network (by using iCloud). I have been searching around and it sounds like this isn't a use for the TC. Can anyone comment? I do need a new router as mine is cheap and way under powered at this time. The backup is a nice feature but I'm really looking more for of an external hard-drive where I can move files in and out while also accessing from other computers for presentation purposes. I know the TC is pretty expensive.. the money isn't the issue but if this isn't possible I'm going to go another way. Thank you.

Posted on Jun 10, 2014 4:56 PM

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Answer 1

Jun 10, 2014 5:07 PM in response to WALKE219

The TC can be pressed into service.. it is not designed for it.. and in fact is really poor mainly due to no backup..

You can plug in a USB drive which is slow but does work fine for wireless access.. ie wireless is even slower than the slow disk.

Take the following into account.

Store files on the TC.

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.

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. It was and is and ever shall be a backup device for Time Machine.

3. The drive is slow to spin up and quick to spin down.. there is no control. In fact the TC is so lacking in controls for even the router side.. that you cannot do more than the most basic of setups.

The following are controls on the hard disk side.

Reformat it. You can name the share. You can do a full archive of the whole disk. This will go at a speed of aprox. 30-50GB/Hr so calculate how long an archive of a full 2TB will take.

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!!

Even apple btw say don’t do it.
http://support.apple.com/kb/TS5168 Although mostly about FAT32 it adds network drives.

5. iTunes can constantly lose connection to the library. The disk is 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

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Answer 2

WALKE219 Author

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Jun 10, 2014 5:13 PM in response to LaPastenague

I have read this a lot online so I appreciate your reply... it helps sometimes to work through it rather than read...

So it sounds like this is a bad use of my money. I have no amount of data close to 2tb... so It may be wiser to get the airport as a nice router and a plug in an external hard drive to store some files or keep a thumb drive and move things back and forrth.

Again, the 256gb is plenty for me, I have pictures, some movies, but mostly just PPT and word documents on my computer

I would like a backup, but naturally, a portable 2tb hard drive is way cheaper than the TC, additionally, I dont have that much data. The only reason I would keep it is for the purpose I said. So a workaround is kind of a hassle for very little return.

Any suggestions for my purposes... I want portability and access to my files elsewhere. I use work computers a lot in lieu of my macbook air. And I do need a new router as well... but maybe it would be cheaper to buy a non apple router?

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Answer 3

Jun 11, 2014 3:26 AM in response to WALKE219

Any suggestions for my purposes... I want portability and access to my files elsewhere.

Access from elsewhere meaning internet.. do you want a NAS then?? But in combo with portable .. I am confused?? How can you have it portable and accessible?? When you carry it, it is not accessible to other items.

What about using Cloud storage for remote access?? (If elsewhere means remote).

And I do need a new router as well... but maybe it would be cheaper to buy a non apple router?

Depends in your needs. But the TC is very difficult to remotely access from non-apple clients.. if by work computers you mean windows.

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