How to access Time Capsule from the web?

[Macca]

I have seen a couple of threads around the web on this topic, but none of them worked for me so I thought I would ask the question here in the hope of getting it to work.

I'm currently using a cable ISP and have a Scientific Atlanta 2100 cable modem hooked up to my first gen Time Capsule which acts as the router for my home network.

What I would like to do is to access my Time Capsule disk over the web when I am away from home as we currently use it as a NAS and it would be nice to have access outside of the home network. (Ultimately I am considering a standalone NAS versus a Mac Mini Server, as the TC is painfully slow as a NAS, but that will be the subject of another thread!)

I understand that a static IP address is required for this. How would I check that I have this? I have reset the modem and it comes back up with the same IP address, but I'm not sure that this proves anything as it may just be that it is still using the existing lease?

All potential solutions on how to set up web access to my TC disk gratefully received......

Been a long time lurker on these forums and have seen some great advice, so thanks in advance to all who have something to share.

 

[Alrescha]

You don't need to have a static IP address, it just has to be stable enough to be useful to you -- it helps if it doesn't change every day. Many ISPs won't change your IP address until you plug in a new router.

Apart from that, you check the box that says "Share disks over WAN" and you're done. On your remote Mac use the Finder Go menu item and choose Connect to server. Type in afp://<yourIPaddress> and click Connect.

Caveats:

1) It is likely that AFP is the only protocol that will work, as most ISPs filter SMB.
2) Your ISP might filter AFP, so this just won't work at all.
3) It's probably a good idea to password protect your share.

A.

 

[Macca]

Alrescha,

Hole in one! Thanks very much for the info, it worked perfectly.

This was the key part that I was unaware of:

"On your remote Mac use the Finder Go menu item and choose Connect to server. Type in afp://<yourIPaddress> and click Connect."

It also worked by typing it into the Safari address bar.

All other solutions I had read about involved port mapping or IPv6 tunneling and none of it seemed to work (probably because I only have enough knowledge on the subject to be dangerous!).

I knew that there must be some easier 'Apple' type solution.

Thanks again