Apple Airport Time Capsule: A Comprehensive Guide

The AirPort Time Capsule is a wireless router sold by Apple Inc. that features network-attached storage (NAS) and a residential gateway router. It is one of Apple's AirPort products and is designed to work with the Time Machine as a backup appliance. The device was first introduced in 2008 and has since been upgraded several times, with the latest model released in 2013 featuring 802.11ac and a 3 TB hard drive. While the AirPort Time Capsule has been discontinued, it remains a popular choice for those seeking a simple and integrated backup solution for their Apple devices.

Apple Airport Time Capsule's compatibility with other devices

The Apple AirPort Time Capsule is a wireless router that features network-attached storage (NAS) and a residential gateway router. It is essentially a version of the AirPort Extreme with an internal hard drive.

The AirPort Time Capsule is compatible with a range of devices, including:

• Mac computers with Mac OS X v10.5.7 or later
• Windows-based PCs with Windows XP (SP3), Windows Vista (SP2), or Windows 7 (SP1)
• IPad, iPhone, and iPod touch devices
• Wi-Fi-enabled devices that use the 802.11a/b/g/n/ac specification

The device has three Gigabit Ethernet LAN ports that can be used to connect computers or network devices. It also has a Gigabit Ethernet WAN port for connecting to a DSL or cable modem. Additionally, the AirPort Time Capsule has a USB port that can be used to connect a USB printer or external hard drive.

The AirPort Time Capsule is designed to work in tandem with the Time Machine backup software utility, which was introduced in Mac OS X 10.5. This allows for automatic wireless backup of data. While the Time Capsule is designed for use with Apple devices, it can also be used with Windows-based computers for backup.

Apple Airport Time Capsule's technical specifications

The Apple AirPort Time Capsule is a wireless router with network-attached storage (NAS) and a residential gateway router. It is essentially a version of the AirPort Extreme with an internal hard drive.

Dimensions and Weight:

• Length: 3.85 inches (98 mm)
• Width: 3.85 inches (98 mm)
• Height: 6.6 inches (168 mm)
• Weight: 3.26 pounds (1.48 kg)

Wireless Specifications:

• IEEE 802.11a/b/g/n/ac
• Six-element beamforming antenna array
• Simultaneous dual-band 2.4GHz and 5GHz
• Radio output power: 32.5 dBm maximum (varies by country)
• Channels approved for use differ by region, including North America, Europe, Japan, Australia, Hong Kong, and New Zealand

Interoperability:

Interoperable with 802.11a/b/g/n/ac-enabled Mac computers, iOS devices, Apple TV, Windows-based PCs, and other Wi-Fi devices

Security and Network Features:

• NAT, DHCP, PPPoE, VPN Passthrough (IPSec, PPTP, and L2TP)
• DNS Proxy, IPv6 (6to4 and manual tunnels)
• Wi-Fi Protected Access (WPA/WPA2)
• WPA/WPA2 Enterprise
• MAC address filtering
• 802.1X, PEAP, LEAP, TTLS, TLS, FAST
• Time-based access control

Ports and Connections:

• Gigabit Ethernet WAN port for connecting to a DSL modem, cable modem, or Ethernet network
• USB 2.0 port for connecting a USB printer or hard drive
• Three Gigabit Ethernet LAN ports for connecting computers, Ethernet hubs, or networked printers

Power and Environmental Requirements:

• Built-in power supply with 100-240V AC, 50-60Hz input
• Operating temperature: 0° to 35° C (32° to 95° F)
• Storage temperature: -25° to 60° C (-13° to 140° F)
• Relative humidity (operating): 20% to 80%, non-condensing
• Operating altitude: tested up to 3000 m (10,000 feet)
• Maximum storage altitude: 4500 m (15,000 feet)

Administration and Device Compatibility:

• Setup and administration via iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch with iOS 6 or later and AirPort Utility 1.3, or Mac with OS X Lion v10.7.5 or later and AirPort Utility 6.3
• Wireless device access for any Wi-Fi-enabled device that uses the 802.11a/b/g/n/ac specification
• Shared printing with a USB printer supported on Mac OS X v10.2.7 or later, and Windows XP (SP3), Windows Vista (SP2), Windows 7 (SP1), or Windows 8
• Shared USB hard drive supported on Mac OS X v10.4.8 or later, and Windows XP (SP3), Windows Vista (SP2), Windows 7 (SP1), or Windows 8
• Backup using Time Machine on Mac OS X v10.5.7 or later

Apple Airport Time Capsule's environmental impact

The Apple AirPort Time Capsule is a wireless router with network-attached storage (NAS) and a residential gateway router. It was one of Apple's AirPort products, essentially a version of the AirPort Extreme with an internal hard drive.

Apple has designed the AirPort Time Capsule with several features to reduce its environmental impact:

• It is free of brominated flame retardants.
• It meets ENERGY STAR 1.0 requirements for small network equipment.
• PVC-free AC power cords are available in all regions except India and South Korea.

Apple takes a holistic view of materials management and waste minimization and offers information on how to recycle its products. The company also provides a complete product life-cycle approach to determining the environmental impact of its products and processes. The Apple Product Environmental Specification details the environmental attributes of each product.

Apple Airport Time Capsule's advantages and disadvantages

The Apple AirPort Time Capsule is a wireless router with network-attached storage (NAS) and a residential gateway router. It was first introduced in 2008 and has since been upgraded several times, with the latest model released in 2013 featuring 802.11ac and a 3 TB hard drive.

Advantages

The AirPort Time Capsule offers automatic wireless backup of up to 3TB of data, eliminating the need for an external backup drive. It is designed to work seamlessly with Apple's Time Machine backup software utility, allowing for hourly images of files that are being changed and condensing backup images to save space.

Additionally, the built-in "server-grade" hard drive provides network access to files through a built-in fileserver that supports both AFP and SMB. The device also includes three Gigabit Ethernet LAN ports and one Gigabit Ethernet WAN port, as well as a USB 2.0 port for connecting external peripheral devices such as printers or hard drives.

Disadvantages

One of the main disadvantages of the AirPort Time Capsule is that it has been discontinued by Apple without a replacement. This means that the device is no longer receiving updates or security patches, which can be a security concern.

Another disadvantage is the speed of the device, particularly when used as a general NAS solution. The WiFi speeds are considered slow compared to newer technology, and the backup process can be time-consuming, especially for initial backups.

Furthermore, there have been reports of hard drive failures and power supply issues with certain Time Capsule models, which may require replacement or repair.

Lastly, the AirPort Time Capsule may not be compatible with newer MacBook models or the latest macOS versions, as some users have reported issues with connecting their devices.

Apple Airport Time Capsule's setup and administration

The AirPort Time Capsule is a wireless router sold by Apple Inc. It features network-attached storage (NAS) and a residential gateway router. It is one of Apple's AirPort products and is essentially a version of the AirPort Extreme with an internal hard drive.

To set up the Time Capsule, you will need to connect it to your modem/router using a wired Ethernet cable connection. Connect the cable from an Ethernet port on the modem to the "O" Ethernet port on the Time Capsule. The Time Capsule can be placed anywhere within the length of the Ethernet cable.

If your Time Capsule is "tall" shaped, like a tower, you can refer to the AirPort Time Capsule 802.11ac Setup Guide. If your Time Capsule is "flat" shaped, like a small white pizza box, refer to the AirPort Time Capsule 802.11n (4th Generation) Setup Guide.

Once you have set up the Time Capsule to connect to your modem, your Mac will be able to connect to the Time Capsule via the Wi-Fi network provided by your modem/router.

For administration, the AirPort Time Capsule has a USB interface for external peripheral device sharing, such as printers and external hard drives. It also includes a built-in file server that supports both AFP and SMB, providing network access to files stored on the built-in hard drive.

The Time Capsule's firmware enables remote access to the hard disk with an iCloud account. Additionally, the Time Capsule supports the Sleep Proxy Service, allowing clients to partially shut down to conserve energy while remaining responsive to network traffic.

The Time Capsule is designed for automatic wireless backup of up to 3TB of data. It requires OS X 10.5.2 Leopard or a more recent operating system on the client computers. The backup software used is Apple's Time Machine, which creates hourly images of files that are being changed and condenses older backup images to save space.

Frequently asked questions