.gif)
Time Capsule (Apple)
Encyclopedia
The Time Capsule is a wireless
network-attached storage
device combined with a wireless residential gateway router
made by Apple Inc. It is described as a "Backup Appliance", designed to work in tandem with the Time Machine
backup utility, introduced in Mac OS X 10.5 "Leopard".
The device includes a full AirPort
Extreme Base Station with 802.11n wireless (now with Dual Band Support), an Ethernet
WAN
port, three Ethernet LAN
ports, and one USB port. There is also a "Server grade" hard drive inside the casing. Time Capsule was introduced at Macworld Conference & Expo
on January 15, 2008 and released on February 29, 2008, with pricing announced at US$
299 (£199) for the 500 GB version and US$499 (£329) for the 1 TB version.
The USB port can be used for an external hard drive or a printer to be shared over the network.
In early 2009, Apple released a newer model offering simultaneous 802.11n dual-band operation to allow older devices to use the slower wireless speeds without affecting the overall performance of devices that can use the higher 802.11n speeds.
Also released in this new version is Guest Networking which allows guests to sign on with a different password to ensure your private network is kept private.
In July 2009, Apple doubled the hard-disk storage space that comes with each model. The $299 Time Capsule now holds 1TB (instead of 500GB) and the $499 configuration holds 2TB (instead of 1TB). Also by reconfiguring the internal wireless antenna Apple reported 50% better performance and 25% better wireless range on the fourth generation model.
Apple again increased the hard-disk storage space in each model in June 2011. The 2TB Time Capsule is now being sold for $299 (replacing the 1TB model) and the new 3TB model sells for $499.
a system and files wirelessly and automatically, which eliminates the need for a separate external drive to be attached. This feature requires OS X 10.5.2 Leopard or greater as it is this OS release that enables backup over a network. The backup software is Apple's Time Machine
, which regularly makes images of the files that are being changed every hour, condensing backup images as they become older, to save space. Even when using an 802.11n wireless or Gigabit Ethernet connection, the initial backup of any Mac to the drive requires significant time and Apple anticipates this process takes "overnight or longer". Subsequent backups will typically be quicker as they only back up the changed files. With the August 2009 release of Snow Leopard, Apple claims the initial backup will be up to two times faster. The backup disk can also be used by Windows-based computers, and the files on it can be managed by another OS such as Windows.
servers. Apple states that the Hitachi Deskstar meets or exceeds the 1 million hour mean time between failures (MTBF) recommendation for server-grade hard drives.
The 500GB, 1st generation Time Capsule shipped with a Seagate Barracuda ES-series drive.
More recently, other hard drives such as the Western Digital Caviar Green series, and the Samsung EcoGreen series have been reported.
base station and supports all the same features as the AirPort Extreme, featuring the same set of ports on the back. Modifications upon the design of the AirPort Extreme Base Station include the addition of the storage hard drive for backups and NAS
type file storage which will be available to both Macs and PCs (after installing supplied drivers) on the network (but usage as a Time Machine disk is not supported ). The Time Capsule measures 7.7 inches or 19.7 cm square and 1.4 inches or 3.63 cm high; slightly larger than the AirPort Extreme Base Station and closer to the Apple TV (previous generation model) in volume. This is partly due to the internal power supply which eliminates the requirement for a separate external power supply, enabling a direct connection between the household power outlet
and the back of the Time Capsule.
The First Generation device included a full AirPort Extreme Base Station with 802.11n wireless, an Ethernet WAN port, three Ethernet LAN ports, and one USB port. The USB port can be used for an external hard drive or a printer to be shared over the network.
Model: A1254, in the following versions:
Apple Manual: Apple Time Capsule 802.11n (1st Generation)
Also released in this new version is Guest Networking feature which allows guests to sign on with a different password to ensure your private network is kept private.
Model: A1302, in the following versions
Apple Manual: Apple Time Capsule 802.11n (2nd Generation)
But feature-wise third generation Time Capsule is an equivalent of the earlier (early 2009) second generation. No new features were added.
Model: A1302 (the same as early 2009), in the following versions
Apple Manual: Apple Time Capsule 802.11n (2nd Generation)
Some Wi-Fi devices use the 2.4GHz wireless band, including iPhone, iPod touch, and devices using 802.11b/g. Others can use either 2.4GHz or the higher-speed 5GHz band, such as the latest 802.11n-based Mac computers, iPad, and Apple TV. Instead of choosing one of the bands, the 4th Generation Time Capsule operates simultaneously on both bands and automatically use the best available band.
Model: A1355, in the following versions:
Apple Manual: Apple Time Capsule 802.11n (3rd Generation)
Model: A1409, in the following versions:
Apple Manual: Apple Time Capsule 802.11n (4th Generation)
As of August 1st 2011, Apple is no longer offering warranty for the 1st Generation Time Capsules that fail due to the power supply issue.
Wireless network
Wireless network refers to any type of computer network that is not connected by cables of any kind. It is a method by which homes, telecommunications networks and enterprise installations avoid the costly process of introducing cables into a building, or as a connection between various equipment...
network-attached storage
Network-attached storage
Network-attached storage is file-level computer data storage connected to a computer network providing data access to heterogeneous clients. NAS not only operates as a file server, but is specialized for this task either by its hardware, software, or configuration of those elements...
device combined with a wireless residential gateway router
Residential gateway
A residential gateway is a home networking device, used as a gateway to connect devices in the home to the Internet or other WAN.It is an umbrella term, used to cover multi-function networking computer appliances used in homes, which may combine a DSL or cable modem, a firewall, a consumer-grade...
made by Apple Inc. It is described as a "Backup Appliance", designed to work in tandem with the Time Machine
Time Machine (Apple software)
Time Machine is a backup utility developed by Apple. It is included with Mac OS X and was introduced with the 10.5 "Leopard" release of Mac OS X. The software is designed to work with the Time Capsule as well as other internal or external drives.-Overview:...
backup utility, introduced in Mac OS X 10.5 "Leopard".
The device includes a full AirPort
AirPort
AirPort and AirPort Extreme are local area wireless networking products from Apple Inc. based on the IEEE 802.11 standard ....
Extreme Base Station with 802.11n wireless (now with Dual Band Support), an Ethernet
Ethernet
Ethernet is a family of computer networking technologies for local area networks commercially introduced in 1980. Standardized in IEEE 802.3, Ethernet has largely replaced competing wired LAN technologies....
WAN
Wide area network
A wide area network is a telecommunication network that covers a broad area . Business and government entities utilize WANs to relay data among employees, clients, buyers, and suppliers from various geographical locations...
port, three Ethernet LAN
Local area network
A local area network is a computer network that interconnects computers in a limited area such as a home, school, computer laboratory, or office building...
ports, and one USB port. There is also a "Server grade" hard drive inside the casing. Time Capsule was introduced at Macworld Conference & Expo
Macworld Conference & Expo
Produced by Boston-based IDG World Expo, Macworld | iWorld is a trade-show with conference tracks dedicated to the Apple Macintosh platform. It is held annually in the United States, usually during the second week of January...
on January 15, 2008 and released on February 29, 2008, with pricing announced at US$
United States dollar
The United States dollar , also referred to as the American dollar, is the official currency of the United States of America. It is divided into 100 smaller units called cents or pennies....
299 (£199) for the 500 GB version and US$499 (£329) for the 1 TB version.
The USB port can be used for an external hard drive or a printer to be shared over the network.
In early 2009, Apple released a newer model offering simultaneous 802.11n dual-band operation to allow older devices to use the slower wireless speeds without affecting the overall performance of devices that can use the higher 802.11n speeds.
Also released in this new version is Guest Networking which allows guests to sign on with a different password to ensure your private network is kept private.
In July 2009, Apple doubled the hard-disk storage space that comes with each model. The $299 Time Capsule now holds 1TB (instead of 500GB) and the $499 configuration holds 2TB (instead of 1TB). Also by reconfiguring the internal wireless antenna Apple reported 50% better performance and 25% better wireless range on the fourth generation model.
Apple again increased the hard-disk storage space in each model in June 2011. The 2TB Time Capsule is now being sold for $299 (replacing the 1TB model) and the new 3TB model sells for $499.
Features
- Fully featured 802.11n Wi-FiWi-FiWi-Fi or Wifi, is a mechanism for wirelessly connecting electronic devices. A device enabled with Wi-Fi, such as a personal computer, video game console, smartphone, or digital audio player, can connect to the Internet via a wireless network access point. An access point has a range of about 20...
base station - Sleep Proxy ServiceSleep Proxy ServiceApple's Bonjour Sleep Proxy service is an open sourcecomponent of zero configuration networking, designed to assist in reducing power consumption of networked electronic devices. A device acting as a sleep proxy server will respond to Multicast DNS queries for another, compatible device which has...
- 4 Gigabit EthernetGigabit EthernetGigabit Ethernet is a term describing various technologies for transmitting Ethernet frames at a rate of a gigabit per second , as defined by the IEEE 802.3-2008 standard. It came into use beginning in 1999, gradually supplanting Fast Ethernet in wired local networks where it performed...
ports (3 LAN ports, 1 WAN port) - USB interface for printer sharing
- Built-in hard drive (2TB or 3TB)
- Built-in file server (AFPApple Filing ProtocolThe Apple Filing Protocol is a network protocol that offers file services for Mac OS X and original Mac OS. In Mac OS X, AFP is one of several file services supported including Server Message Block , Network File System , File Transfer Protocol , and WebDAV...
and SMBServer Message BlockIn computer networking, Server Message Block , also known as Common Internet File System operates as an application-layer network protocol mainly used to provide shared access to files, printers, serial ports, and miscellaneous communications between nodes on a network. It also provides an...
)
Backup device
One of the key features of Time Capsule is the ability to back upBackup
In information technology, a backup or the process of backing up is making copies of data which may be used to restore the original after a data loss event. The verb form is back up in two words, whereas the noun is backup....
a system and files wirelessly and automatically, which eliminates the need for a separate external drive to be attached. This feature requires OS X 10.5.2 Leopard or greater as it is this OS release that enables backup over a network. The backup software is Apple's Time Machine
Time Machine (Apple software)
Time Machine is a backup utility developed by Apple. It is included with Mac OS X and was introduced with the 10.5 "Leopard" release of Mac OS X. The software is designed to work with the Time Capsule as well as other internal or external drives.-Overview:...
, which regularly makes images of the files that are being changed every hour, condensing backup images as they become older, to save space. Even when using an 802.11n wireless or Gigabit Ethernet connection, the initial backup of any Mac to the drive requires significant time and Apple anticipates this process takes "overnight or longer". Subsequent backups will typically be quicker as they only back up the changed files. With the August 2009 release of Snow Leopard, Apple claims the initial backup will be up to two times faster. The backup disk can also be used by Windows-based computers, and the files on it can be managed by another OS such as Windows.
Hard drive
The hard drive typically found in a Time Capsule is the Hitachi Deskstar, which is sold by Hitachi as a consumer-grade product (the Hitachi Ultrastar is the enterprise version). Apple labeled the drive as a server-grade drive in promotional material for Time Capsule, and also used this type of drive in its discontinued XserveXserve
Xserve was a line of rack unit computers designed by Apple Inc. for use as servers. When the Xserve was introduced in 2002, it was Apple's first designated server hardware design since the Apple Network Server in 1996...
servers. Apple states that the Hitachi Deskstar meets or exceeds the 1 million hour mean time between failures (MTBF) recommendation for server-grade hard drives.
The 500GB, 1st generation Time Capsule shipped with a Seagate Barracuda ES-series drive.
More recently, other hard drives such as the Western Digital Caviar Green series, and the Samsung EcoGreen series have been reported.
Apple AirPort Extreme
The Time Capsule is a fully featured 802.11n Wi-FiWi-Fi
Wi-Fi or Wifi, is a mechanism for wirelessly connecting electronic devices. A device enabled with Wi-Fi, such as a personal computer, video game console, smartphone, or digital audio player, can connect to the Internet via a wireless network access point. An access point has a range of about 20...
base station and supports all the same features as the AirPort Extreme, featuring the same set of ports on the back. Modifications upon the design of the AirPort Extreme Base Station include the addition of the storage hard drive for backups and NAS
Network-attached storage
Network-attached storage is file-level computer data storage connected to a computer network providing data access to heterogeneous clients. NAS not only operates as a file server, but is specialized for this task either by its hardware, software, or configuration of those elements...
type file storage which will be available to both Macs and PCs (after installing supplied drivers) on the network (but usage as a Time Machine disk is not supported ). The Time Capsule measures 7.7 inches or 19.7 cm square and 1.4 inches or 3.63 cm high; slightly larger than the AirPort Extreme Base Station and closer to the Apple TV (previous generation model) in volume. This is partly due to the internal power supply which eliminates the requirement for a separate external power supply, enabling a direct connection between the household power outlet
Domestic AC power plugs and sockets
AC power plugs and sockets are devices for removably connecting electrically operated devices to the power supply. Electrical plugs and sockets differ by country in rating, shape, size and type of connectors...
and the back of the Time Capsule.
Apple Time Capsule Models by Generation
Apple Time Capsule SKU are constructed with the 5 first characters identifying the product version and the remaining ones indicating the localization (accessories and power supply vary according to the country the Time Capsule is sold in). Differences between generations are listed below as well. For First through Fourth Generations, the smaller model has been introduced at US$299 and the larger at US$499.First generation (early 2008)
Apple introduced it's first Time Capsule on January 15, 2008 and released it on February 29, 2008. It was the first wireless network-attached storage device combined with a wireless gateway router made by Apple.The First Generation device included a full AirPort Extreme Base Station with 802.11n wireless, an Ethernet WAN port, three Ethernet LAN ports, and one USB port. The USB port can be used for an external hard drive or a printer to be shared over the network.
Model: A1254, in the following versions:
- 500 GB Time Capsule. Part number: MB276LL/A
- 1 TB Time Capsule. Part number: MB277LL/A
Apple Manual: Apple Time Capsule 802.11n (1st Generation)
Second generation (early 2009)
In early 2009, Apple released a newer model offering simultaneous 802.11n dual-band operation to allow older devices to use the slower wireless speeds without affecting the overall performance of devices that can use the higher 802.11n speeds.Also released in this new version is Guest Networking feature which allows guests to sign on with a different password to ensure your private network is kept private.
Model: A1302, in the following versions
- 500 GB Time Capsule. Part number: MB764LL/A
- 1 TB Time Capsule. Part number: MB765LL/A
Apple Manual: Apple Time Capsule 802.11n (2nd Generation)
Second generation, Part II (mid 2009)
In July 2009, Apple doubled the hard-disk storage space that comes with each model. The $299 Time Capsule now holds 1TB (instead of 500GB) and the $499 configuration holds 2TB (instead of 1TB).But feature-wise third generation Time Capsule is an equivalent of the earlier (early 2009) second generation. No new features were added.
Model: A1302 (the same as early 2009), in the following versions
- 1 TB Time Capsule. Part number: MB765LL/A (the same as early 2009)
- 2 TB Time Capsule. Part number: MB996LL/A
Apple Manual: Apple Time Capsule 802.11n (2nd Generation)
Third Generation (2010)
By reconfiguring the internal wireless antenna Apple reported 50% better performance and 25% better wireless range on the fourth generation model comparing to the previous generations. No new features were added.Some Wi-Fi devices use the 2.4GHz wireless band, including iPhone, iPod touch, and devices using 802.11b/g. Others can use either 2.4GHz or the higher-speed 5GHz band, such as the latest 802.11n-based Mac computers, iPad, and Apple TV. Instead of choosing one of the bands, the 4th Generation Time Capsule operates simultaneously on both bands and automatically use the best available band.
Model: A1355, in the following versions:
- 1 TB Time Capsule. Part number: MB343LL/A
- 2 TB Time Capsule. Part number: MB344LL/A
Apple Manual: Apple Time Capsule 802.11n (3rd Generation)
Fourth Generation (June 2011)
Same as 3rd Generation (main system board completely unchanged), but with increased wireless range (internal WiFi card changed from Marvell to better-performing Broadcom BCM4331 chip) and higher maximum Hard Disk Drive (HDD) size of 3 TB.Model: A1409, in the following versions:
- 2 TB Time Capsule. Part number: MD032LL/A
- 3 TB Time Capsule. Part number: MD033LL/A
Apple Manual: Apple Time Capsule 802.11n (4th Generation)
Apple Time Capsule Specifications Comparison Chart, 2008-2011
| Model | 1st Gen: Early 2008 | 2nd Gen: Early 2009 | 2nd Gen Pt. II: Mid-2009 | 3rd Gen: Mid-2010 | 4th Gen: Mid-2011 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Release date | February 29, 2008 | March 3, 2009 | July 30, 2009 (Price Drop on 1TB, Intro of 2TB, no major changes) | March 31, 2010 | June 21, 2011 | |||||
| Marketing Model Number | MB276LL/A | MB277LL/A | MB764LL/A | MB765LL/A | MB765LL/A (the same as early 2009) | MB996LL/A | MC343LL/A | MC344LL/A | MD032LL/A | MD033LL/A |
| Model Number | A1254 | A1302 | A1302 | A1355 | A1409 | |||||
| Device Type | Wireless access point - Integrated | |||||||||
| Hard drive | 500 GB | 1 TB | 500 GB | 1 TB | 1 TB | 2 TB | 1 TB | 2 TB | 2 TB | 3 TB |
| Original Price | $299 | $499 | $299 | $499 | $299 | $499 | $299 | $499 | $299 | $499 |
| Available Ports | 1 Ethernet WAN; 3 Ethernet LAN; 1 USB | |||||||||
| Guest Networking | No | Yes | ||||||||
| Frequency Bands | 2.4 and 5 GHz | |||||||||
| 802.11a/b/g/n 2.4GHz/5GHz Bands | Single-Band Operation | Dual-Band Operation | Operates simultaneously on both bands and automatically uses the best available band | |||||||
| Internal WiFi | Marvell | Broadcom BCM4331 chip | ||||||||
| Radio Output Power | Up to 23 dBm (nominal) | |||||||||
| Standards | 802.11 DSSS 1 and 2 Mbps standard, 802.11a, 802.11b, 802.11g, 802.11n (draft) specifications |
802.11 DSSS 1 and 2 Mbps standard, 802.11a, 802.11b, 802.11g, 802.11n specifications | ||||||||
| Data Link Protocol | Ethernet, Fast Ethernet, Gigabit Ethernet, IEEE 802.11a, IEEE 802.11b, IEEE 802.11g, IEEE 802.11n (draft) | Ethernet, Fast Ethernet, Gigabit Ethernet, IEEE 802.11a, EEE 802.11b, IEEE 802.11g, IEEE 802.11n | ||||||||
| Network / Transport Protocol | IPSec, L2TP, PPTP | IPSec, L2TP, PPPoE, PPTP | Bonjour, DHCP, DNS, IPSec, L2TP, PPPoE, PPTP | |||||||
| Remote Management Protocol | SNMP | |||||||||
| Interfaces/Ports | 1 x RJ-45 10/100/1000Base-T Gigabit Ethernet WAN (<); 3 x RJ-45 10/100/1000Base-T Gigabit Ethernet LAN (G); 1 x Universal Serial Bus (USB d) 2.0; 802.11 a/b/g/n AirPort Extreme wireless |
|||||||||
| Height & Weight | Length: 7.75 inches (197.0 mm); Width: 7.75 inches (197.0 mm); Height: 1.43 inches (36.33 mm); Weight: 3.5 pounds (1.6 kilograms) | |||||||||
Issues
In October 2009, several news sites reported that many 1st Generation Time Capsules were failing after 18 months, with some users alleging that this was due to a design failure in the power supplies. Apple confirmed that certain Time Capsules sold between February 2008 and June 2008 do not power on or may unexpectedly turn off, so offered free repair or replacement to affected units.As of August 1st 2011, Apple is no longer offering warranty for the 1st Generation Time Capsules that fail due to the power supply issue.