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Can the airport time machine be configured as a shared network drive with all 3TB accessible to all devices?

Can the Air Port Time Machine be configured as a shared network drive with all 3TB accessible to all devices?

Posted on Mar 4, 2015 4:35 PM

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Posted on Mar 4, 2015 4:41 PM

Yes.. although when you say all devices.. there might be limitations.. eg iOS cannot access local network storage without using a file app.

5 replies

Mar 4, 2015 5:16 PM in response to Saxxpro

I did assume you meant Time Capsule.. people confuse the terms forevermore.


The setup is native default.. it is by nature a shared hard disk and is accessible to any item using SMB or AFP protocols.. which covers most everything.. or like the iOS can be added via a file app.


You simply make sure sharing is turned on.. by default it is and you have whatever security setup you want. Device or disk password or you can setup user accounts. Messy though user accounts and I do not recommend it. It is imaginary security.. since the reset button on the TC is able to reduce everything to default in a few seconds and anyone can do a soft reset and discover all the passwords.


User uploaded file


HOWEVER>> please note..


Apple did not intend the TC to be a NAS.. you can force it into the role but it has two major issues.


1. It cannot back itself up.. the archive mechanism is whole disk and the TC stops functioning whilst it happens.. and it is slow as can be once you start having a significant proportion of the 3TB filled up.


2. It is in no way a media device. People hope to store their itunes and iphoto libraries on it.. well Apple says specifically don't use it for iphoto.. and using itunes library will still require a computer running itunes and you will have issues if you try to use its wireless for streaming where you fail to realise streams running in different directions will cause huge slow downs.

Can the airport time machine be configured as a shared network drive with all 3TB accessible to all devices?

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