Time Machine over network

[QCassidy352]

I'm trying to figure out my options for solving a situation of my own making.

For years I used a 2009 Time Capsule for my home network. Last year we moved to a bigger place, and I replaced the TC with a TP Link Archer A10 router. The TC lives on in bridge mode.

I've been very happy with the A10 for wireless, but now I want to hook a large external hard drive up to the network, for time machine and other file storage. Problem is, the A10 doesn't have a USB port, which I never though to check until now. The bridged TC does have a USB port, so I could hook the hard drive up to that, but I think the port is USB 2.0, so the connection would be extremely slow.

Is there any solution for what I want to do other than getting a router with a USB port? Thanks in advance!

 

[QCassidy352]

After looking into possible solutions, I think the way to "solve" this is to get a cheap Tp Link Archer A7 router (which does have a USB port) and add it to the network in bridge mode. Then, I'd connect the following devices to the A7: 1) external HD that uses USB, and 2) desktop that needs ethernet.

Would this work? Thanks!

 

[satcomer]

After looking into possible solutions, I think the way to "solve" this is to get a cheap Tp Link Archer A7 router (which does have a USB port) and add it to the network in bridge mode. Then, I'd connect the following devices to the A7: 1) external HD that uses USB, and 2) desktop that needs ethernet.

Would this work? Thanks!

Give us the Model and we can seem to understand if it supports Time Capsule. The only companies that support that are Apple and some Synology routers and some Netgear routers!

I say this because Time Machine only supports HFS+APS formatted shares or disks!

 

[Prorege1]

The A7 is a wifi router, so no need to put it in bridge mode. Suggest to remove the A10 and instead use the A7 then connect the external disk to the A7 for Time Machine backups. If you need more USB connections then use a USB hub connected to the A7.

 

[lixuelai]

I'd double check the actual USB performance. Many routers with USB 3.0 perform about the same as USB 2.0, the bottleneck isn't in the bus speed. Also if you are doing this over WiFi, factor that in as well. Chances are you won't notice any difference.

On the other hand if you still find the need for speed, you can explore using a RaspberryPi to do filesharing. Can even install PiHole on it.

 

[pldelisle]

Why not get a NAS? A Synology or qnap 2-bay NAS. I’ve been backupping Time Machine for years on my Synology NAS.

 

[QCassidy352]

Thanks for the replies, all!

The A7 is a wifi router, so no need to put it in bridge mode. Suggest to remove the A10 and instead use the A7 then connect the external disk to the A7 for Time Machine backups. If you need more USB connections then use a USB hub connected to the A7.

But the A10 is a better router, so I'd like to leave that one broadcasting the main network.

Also, I think I need two routers because one (currently the A10) needs to live in the living room, next to the modem and TV, where the coax cable is, and the other (the A7) will live in the office with an ethernet connection to a desktop that doesn't do wireless.

Why not get a NAS? A Synology or qnap 2-bay NAS. I’ve been backupping Time Machine for years on my Synology NAS.

Just because of price.

So my contemplated setup is:

• Modem connected to the A10 by ethernet
• A10 broadcasting the wifi network
• A7 bridged (over wifi) with an ethernet cable to the desktop and usb to the external HD

I'm pretty sure this will all work except for the ethernet bit. Will the A7 be able to provide connectivity to the desktop over ethernet if it (the A7) is in wifi bridge mode?

 

[QCassidy352]

Just found this... it seems that using this is "client mode" (the fourth mode described at the link) is exactly what I need, though the ethernet is only 10/100...

AC750 Wireless Travel Router

The AC750 Wireless Travel Router is built to be small and light to effortlessly go wherever you do. Create a WiFi network via Ethernet wherever you are.

www.tp-link.com

 

[satcomer]

Just found this... it seems that using this is "client mode" (the fourth mode described at the link) is exactly what I need, though the ethernet is only 10/100...

AC750 Wireless Travel Router

The AC750 Wireless Travel Router is built to be small and light to effortlessly go wherever you do. Create a WiFi network via Ethernet wherever you are.

www.tp-link.com

Then you want the Synology Rt2600ac because it will do Time Machine and be a somewhat NAS!

 

[QCassidy352]

Ok… I've spent too much time on this… I'm just going to do it the right way and get two purpose-built solutions for my two problems: 1) a Synology NAS and 2) a gigabit ethernet extender for the desktop that needs ethernet.

Thanks, all!

 

[hobowankenobi]

If you have trouble with TM on Synology (some folks do), don't be afraid to try their Drive sync/backup tool. I prefer it to TM.

 

[QCassidy352]

Good advice, thanks!