Service Alerts (2 New)

Configuring Apple Time Capsule to work on the campus network

Many campus users want to use an Apple Time Capsule device for backup purposes. This document describes how to set up an Apple Time Capsule device so that it is compatible with other devices and requirements on UTnet, the campus network.

Important considerations

To operate an Apple Time Capsule device on UTnet, it is important to know two key things:

  • The Time Capsule must be connected to UTnet using a wired connection.
  • The wireless mode of the Time Capsule device must be turned off (only ITS Networking is authorized to operate wireless access points on campus).

In addition, there are several important security issues:

  • The connection that is used between the Apple Time Capsule device and the computer being backed up uses a protocol called AFP.  AFP data connections are not encrypted although the credentials used for the authentication process are. Therefore, data backed up over AFP could be visible to any intermediate devices between the client and Time Capsule. The "restricted" wireless network on campus employs WPA/WPA2 encryption, so if a user connects to the Time Capsule over the ‘restricted.utexas.edu’ network, the data will be encrypted between the client and the wireless access point.
  • Data stored on the Time Capsule disk is not encrypted by default.
  • The university’s Information Security Office does not recommend using Time Capsule to back up machines with Category-I data.

Configuring the Time Capsule device

  1. Make sure the Time Capsule device is plugged into a wired network port.
  2. Open the Time Capsule device using AirPort Utility by selecting Finder -> Applications -> Utilities -> AirPort Utility.
  3. Select the AirPort category.
  4. Select the Time Capsule tab and configure the following settings:
    • Time Capsule Name: (your choice)
    • Time Capsule Password: (your choice)
    • Set time automatically: (your choice)
    • Allow setup over WAN: enabled
  5. Select the Wireless tab and select “Off” for Wireless Mode.
  6. Select the Internet category.
  7. Select the Internet Connection tab and configure the following settings:
    • Connect Using: Ethernet
    • Configure IPv4: (probably want static)
    • IP Address / Subnet mask / Router: (set as appropriate)
    • DNS Server(s) / Domain name: (set as appropriate)
    • DHCP Client ID: (optional)
    • Ethernet WAN Port: Automatic (Default)
    • Connection Sharing: Off (Bridge Mode)
  8. Select the Disks category.
  9. Select the Disks tab and enter a Name of your choosing.
  10. Select the File Sharing tab and configure the following settings:
    • Enable file sharing (checked)
    • Secure Shared Disks: With Time Capsule password
    • AirPort Disks Guest Access: Not allowed
    • Share disks over Internet using Bonjour (NOT checked)
    • Workgroup: (whatever you want)
    • WINS Server: (blank)
  11. Leave all options in the Advanced category set to their default values.

Connecting the client computer to the Time Capsule

Perform this procedure on the computer whose data is being backed up (the client computer).

  1. Open Finder and select Go --> Connect to Server from the main menu:
  2. Enter the IP address of the Time Capsule in the Server Address in the following format: afp://[IP Address].  Click the [+] to add the address to the list of servers you use regularly.
  3. Click Connect.
  4. When prompted for your name and password, enter the name and password you defined when you configured the device, and select the option to Remember this password in my keychain. In order to allow automatic connection to the Time Capsule for subsequent logins, this needs to be saved.
  5. Click Connect.

Automatically mount the Time Capsule file share

  1. Open the System Preferences and select Accounts.
  2.  Select the appropriate user account, and then click the Login Items tab.
  3. Click the [+] button and select the mounted shared volume you connected to above.
  4. Click Add.

Configure Time Machine to use Time Capsule

    1. Open the System Preferences and select Time Machine.
    2. Click Choose Backup Disk.
    3. Select the mounted disk and click Use for Backup.