Time Capsule questions

I have been looking for a device that functions both as a NAS and a print server for a USB printer. My printer (and NAS-to-be) are in a different room than my current wireless router. I have a Windows 7 - based PC.

So...

I would like to be able to connect the Time Capsule to my existing wireless network.

I would like to be able to back up files over the wireless network (probably using Windows 7's included backup software).

I would like to be able to print over the wireless network. My printer is a Samsung ML-2510 printer.

Can I do this with a Time Capsule?

 

Time Capsule should be able to accommodate all your needs, but since you're a PC environment I'd recommend a non-Apple NAS to gain more functionality.

Synology and Qnap make excellent, easy to use NASs. I personally have as Synology DiskStation DS-109. Qnap TS-110 would be equivalent.

A basic unit from either of these companies coupled with a Western Digital Green 1TB HDD will be cheaper than a Time Capsule and run cooler/use less power (heat output and power consumption is important for something you're going to leave running 24/7). You do lose the wifi however you gain a TON of server functionality. They can be accessed remotely over the internet (w/o having to pay for a $100/yr Mobile Me subscription), can act as a media server (to Xbox, PS3, Windows Media Center, TVs, media extenders, DLNA, iTunes Server, etc.), can do web or blog serving, online photo sharing, home CCTV DVR w/ IP cameras including PTZ control, print server, storage expandable via USB and/or eSATA, they also even work as a Time Machine backup for Macs (I use mine and did a restore when I upgraded my HDD so I can vouch it works!). Also if you're willing to spend a bit more money you can get a unit with 2+ HDD bays and do RAID or have future expandability. Right now I kinda regret only getting a 1 bay unit despite only having used 600GB of my 1TB so far

Another nice feature is that they are running an AJAX based Linux server OS...what that means is that you can assign full admin/user rights. That way my wife has her own place to backup her files, while not having access to my files. Also I've given my friends and family there own logins with limited file access for easy file sharing directly over the web.

 

Thanks for the thoughtful reply.

The reason I'm trending towards the Time Capsule is that it's WiFi enabled. My DSL modem/WiFi router are in the kitchen. I don't want a printer in the kitchen... not to mention all the paper, labels, toner, etc. And in terms of price, I can get a Time Capsule for $140 or so in the 500gb version, or $200 for a 1TB.

I only have about 100gb of data that needs to be backed up so I would do the initial backup via USB (or sitting-right-next-to-it WiFi), and then do subsequent incremental backups via WiFi.

 

I had also considered putting a cheap PC in the office room next to the printer and just using that as a NAS / print server but for power consumption and price, I didn't really like that idea. Still might hit the local Goodwill later to see what they have.

 

Sorry to say, but I'm another vote for a Windows specific NAS instead of the Time Capsule since you won't be using it with a Mac.

 

I have a 2 TB Time Capsule that is backing up 2 MBPs at home. I was hoping to be able to backup the desktop (running Win7), but there is a known bug with Windows 7 and TC at the moment. You can read more in this thread. The problem lies with the Windows 7 security features, since Vista or XP works just fine.

Basically, Windows 7 loses connection to TC if you either go into folder structure and/or try to move files over certain size. The only way to get them to see each other is restarting the desktop and/or TC. I've been able to do manual backups by transfering the files to the root of TC (i.e., open My Computer and drag the files to TC icon). Then, I have to go in to TC from the Mac and move the files to appropriate folders. If you try opening the TC file structure from the PC and move files, it loses connection in 10 seconds.

I hope this helps.

 

Wish I could find a cheap Windows (or Linux) based NAS with WiFi. I don't think they exist.

Thanks for the link, tenderidol. That looks like a hellish bug, and exactly the sort of thing I wanted to hear about.

 

Seller just offered it to me for $170 for the 1gb. I might as well roll the dice and worst case I can just use it as an external HDD for backups, right?

 

Might be best to build your own. I saw you were concerned about power consumption, however a little extra power for exactly what you want might balance out.

 

Apparently, you can use it without any hiccups under XP mode in Windows 7. I am sure there will be some solution, soon; but until then you'll have to jump through some hoops to use it with a Windows 7 machine.

How old is the one that you are trying to buy? Have you seen the recent threads on Apple's side regarding massive deaths of the 500GB versions at 18 months time point? Mine is covered for 3 years through Apple care on my MBP.

 

Yup there sure is a well known issue with them particular Time Capsule. I have had to replace a ton of them. If they fall within a certain time frame we replace them regardless of APP

 

Does that apply to the 1TB versions as well?

I don't know what the date of manufacture is on the one I'm looking to buy.

 

Out of curiosity, what's Apple's policy on those replacements? Do they give the old HD back to the user for data recovery? Do they just provide a new TC and say "good luck with this one"?

 

Yeah, wifi would be nice for sure...I've never seen one with wifi neither. It doesn't make sense to me why no company has thought of this yet The only reason I can think of is network speed, most of the more advanced NASs are actually geared towards small businesses where speed is more important than wifi. Although 802.11n is pretty comparable.

I actually have mine sitting in my hutch in the dining room since I have my router sitting underneath it on the floor (middle of the house and on the first cable split).

 

same here

Policy is have a nice day, to recover data from the drive you have to open the unit therefore voiding the warranty. ( I haave a stack of dead ones here )

if you want cheap and simple hook any nas unit such as a D-link dns-323, linksys, or drobo to an AP for the wireless features. I have a few 323's with linksys AP's on them for remote NAS / Print server units, just set your NAS to a static IP though or it can get buggy.

 

It seems that we have a solution for the bug between TC and Win7. It involves disabling Windows Search, but it works great. So, if your plans were to backup your PCs to TC using the built in backup program, and you dont use Windows Search much, then it works just fine (that's what I am doing for the desktop).
Just in case, here is the link again. Just check the last 8-10 posts

 

Some Apple Geniuses will however be nice enough to remove the old drive and put it in an enclosure for you to transfer the data. Supplying the enclosure is your responsibility however.

I have had 3 of the 2TB Time Capsules replaced already, and on each ocassion, I had the data migrated over to another external by having the genius open up the unit. Generally the drives and data are fine. It is the power supply that gets shot.

 

Your lucky, up here they dont seem to want to open them up, just swap them or tell you to buy a new one.

I have had a few overheat good enough to cook the drive motor and have had to resort to swapping platters on one occasion. hence why I no longer let any of my customers use ANY backup that does not have a RAID configuration and drive redundany, its not worth the headaches for me.

 

Unfortunately I think Windows Search is used by Outlook 2007. I'm SOL on that one.

 

FWIW, I wouldn't disable Windows Search. Search is finally usable and is pretty much as good as Mac's Spotlight. I have Win7 on my work desktop and I actually use the Search function more than ever since I don't like being forced to scroll through the entire list of programs in the new Start menu.

 

It could be useful to you, but it is trivial to me, especially since it blocks the functionality of daily back ups to TC. Of course, once a solution is released from Apple and/or Microsoft, I'll re-enable it just in case