New modem/router

Hi folks,

I currently have a BT Openreach modem (Huawei HG612) and an Apple Time Capsule router (the supplied BT router, never used, is in a box in the loft) but the Time Capsule may be getting shaky and they no longer make them.

I plan to move to IDNET when current BT contract expires but will need a new modem/router assuming I have to send the BT ones back.

Any recommendations for a modem/router that is compatible with Apple’s Time Machine backup? I want to be able attach a portable USB drive and just let it work.

Many thanks

They don't bother asking for the Openreach units back, especially as you are still on an Openreach based service. At most they might send you a return bag for the HomeHub (but that is rare to the point I don't think they bother at all).

So all you should need to do is add the new IDNet login details to the PPPoE session the time capsule runs

Thankyou.

Good to know BT don’t want the Openreach modem back.

Still looking for Time Capsule alternative in case mine does go kaput!

Thanks again.

Netgear Nighthawk X6 - https://amzn.to/2ZQawgn £149 not the cheapest but well specified device

Netgear routers with USB (i.e. ReadyShare) should work with Time Machine they have an article on setting it up https://kb.netgear.com/21360/How-to-setup-Time-Machi...

Thanks for your helpful replies. I’m hopefully moving to IDNET in a few weeks when my BT contract is finally up. Will this Modem/router work as well? I’m not so worried about time machine, I’ll just plug an external portable drive into the Mac.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Wireless-Connections-Infini...

Many thanks,

Adam

Yes that would work, although there is a newer version of the AC1900 for just shy of £100 if you follow the link of the web page you linked to.

Great thanks

One more question and then in done, honest

Will this:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Universal-Extender-Broadban...

Work as a range extender in a similar way that my airport express extends the range of my Time Capsule?

Thanks

Adam

Just remember that the TP-Link interface has a locked down version of Telnet so you cannot run monitoring programs like DSLstats unless you install some custom firmware (details somewhere on the Kitz Forum IIRC).

Hi,

I’ve not had access to stats with using the HG612 and an Apple Time Capsule so don’t think it will be an issue. Thanks for the heads up anyway.

Adam

In reply to a post by MrSaffron:

Netgear Nighthawk X6 - https://amzn.to/2ZQawgn £149 not the cheapest but well specified device
Netgear routers with USB (i.e. ReadyShare) should work with Time Machine they have an article on setting it up https://kb.netgear.com/21360/How-to-setup-Time-Machi...

Out of interest if I bought one of these, or for that matter any other router with a USB port, what format would a memory stick need to be? My guess is that it would be exclusively MS-DOS FAT and that none of them would recognise one formatted in Apple HFS+ still less the newer APFS.

Reason I ask is that I use one of the last of the Apple Airports with a USB stick plugged in for convenience in transferring files. If I used one formatted other than HFS+ any metadata (EG Apple file tags, or custom folder icons) is lost.

Edited by Tacitus (Wed 19-Feb-20 18:41:22)