HT202784: Backup disks you can use with Time Machine

Learn about Backup disks you can use with Time Machine
Embat
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Q: Can I backup the time capsule itself

I want to backup the time capsule (automatic copies from my macbook pro) into a usb HD. I want to do it from time to time to store the Usb HD somewhere else, just in case a robbery or a fire happens.

I haven't found the quick and easy to do it, well, in fact I haven't found any information about it.

Is there any way? Thank you !

MacBook Pro, OS X Mavericks (10.9.2), Iphoto 8

Posted on Oct 20, 2015 8:53 AM

by Bob Timmons,Solvedanswer
Bob Timmons Bob Timmons
Level 10 (105,018 points)
Wireless
A:

One option (free) would be to use the Archive function in AirPort Utility.

Simply connect a USB drive (formatted for Mac) to the USB port on the Time Capsule

Click the Archive button and a complete copy of everything on the Time Capsule will be made

This might take 4-6 hours or more depending on how much data that you have on the Time Capsule

Screen Shot 2015-10-20 at 11.07.18 AM.png

 

The downside to using the Archive function is that you must make a new complete copy of the Time Capsule each time that you do this.


Another option would be use a utility like Carbon Copy Cloner to automatically back up the data on the Time Capsule to a USB drive attached to the Time Capsule on a schedule that you choose......something like once a day, or once a week, for example.


The advantage of doing it this way would be that once you have the first backup of the Time Capsule, Carbon Copy Cloner will only back up any changes that you have made since the last backup, so subsequent backups will only take a few minutes.

Posted on Oct 20, 2015 11:25 AM

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Embat

Q: Can I backup the time capsule itself

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  • Helpful answers

  • by Bob Timmons,Solvedanswer

    Bob Timmons Bob Timmons Oct 20, 2015 11:25 AM in response to Embat
    Level 10 (105,018 points)
    Wireless
    Oct 20, 2015 11:25 AM in response to Embat

    One option (free) would be to use the Archive function in AirPort Utility.

    Simply connect a USB drive (formatted for Mac) to the USB port on the Time Capsule

    Click the Archive button and a complete copy of everything on the Time Capsule will be made

    This might take 4-6 hours or more depending on how much data that you have on the Time Capsule

    Screen Shot 2015-10-20 at 11.07.18 AM.png

     

    The downside to using the Archive function is that you must make a new complete copy of the Time Capsule each time that you do this.


    Another option would be use a utility like Carbon Copy Cloner to automatically back up the data on the Time Capsule to a USB drive attached to the Time Capsule on a schedule that you choose......something like once a day, or once a week, for example.


    The advantage of doing it this way would be that once you have the first backup of the Time Capsule, Carbon Copy Cloner will only back up any changes that you have made since the last backup, so subsequent backups will only take a few minutes.

  • by Bob Timmons,Helpful

    Bob Timmons Bob Timmons Oct 24, 2015 1:02 AM in response to Embat
    Level 10 (105,018 points)
    Wireless
    Oct 24, 2015 1:02 AM in response to Embat

    A third option, which was cut off and did not appear in the original Reply is to connect a USB drive to the Time Capsule and set up Time Machine to back up directly to the USB drive in addition to the Time Capsule. So, Time Machine will be backing up to two different drives.

     

    When the USB drive is connected to the Time Capsule, Time Machine will back up to that drive as well as the Time Capsule. When the USB drive is not connected, Time Machine will only back up to the Time Capsule.

     

    This might be the simplest approach for a number of users. The downside here is that you will need to remember to connect the USB drive on the schedule that you choose.

  • by Embat,

    Embat Embat Oct 20, 2015 11:27 AM in response to Bob Timmons
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Oct 20, 2015 11:27 AM in response to Bob Timmons

    Finally, I did the last option you told. It was so easy, when the HD appeared on the Time Machine Preferences.

    Thank you, Bob.