So by way of an update. I thought all was good with my Raspberry Pi, Debian and Netatalk Apple Time Capsule Clone.

However something very strange going on. Although I could backup my Mac's + PC's fine to Raspberry Pi with external USB HD; strangely with RPI running, I couldn't use AirPlay. I found myself unable to play anything from Mac to Apple TV.

So after lots of trying to make this work, I about turned and finally went out and got myself a 2TB Apple Time Capsule. More cash than I would want to spend on anything like this, but Apple you got me.

I would like to offer a top tip, which maybe goes a small way to justifying silly expenditure...

I've just added a 3 TB external USB HD, giving me a 5 TB of total backup grunt. 3 TB External USB HD, was peanuts by comparison to Apple kit. So all working, its all solid as you'd expect.

Apple 2, maybe me .5. But strong, solid backups now happening, without hassle (but a bit of a credit card bill to follow)