[BACKUPS] Workflow Advice needed

[patriotaki]

Hello fellow forum members,

I hope you're doing well. I'm currently facing a workflow challenge and would greatly appreciate your advice and suggestions on how to improve it.

Here's the situation: I have an external NVME drive connected to my Mac Mini, and I want to automatically back up specific folders from that drive to a specific folder on a Windows PC on my local network. Currently, I'm manually copying and pasting the files over the network, but it's becoming time-consuming and tedious.

I've tried using software like GoodSync, but due to the large number of small files (1-100KB each) within the folders I want to back up, the scanning process is super slow. I'm seeking a faster and more efficient solution.

Backup Software: Are there any synchronization or backup software that you've found to be particularly efficient and fast for backing up large numbers of small files from a Mac to a Windows PC over a local network?

Automation: How can I automate the backup process, ensuring that it runs automatically at regular intervals or based on specific events?

I'm open to any other suggestions, tips, or experiences you may have encountered in a similar scenario.

 

[HDFan]

Typically there are two recommendations for folder synchronization programs: Chronosync or Carbon Copy Cloner. Both allow you to schedule when the backups will occur. Had some network issues with Chronosync so use CCC.

 

[rhett7660]

Second for Chronosync. I have had no issues with it going over the network and I go between windows, mac's, and NAS's. YMMV of course like those of @HDFan ... also CCC is good, I use it too, but not for this type of work, but more for making backups of my OS drive.

Either way you should be covered with either program.

 

[gilby101]

As an alternative (to Chronosync) you could use Resilio Sync. It is fast (even for small files) and makes almost immediate transfer when files change.

Something to watch our for: If you use macOS file system metadata (e.g. Finder tags or other extended attributes) you may lose them on recovery back from Windows. You need to follow through the complete process from backup to restore and see what works for you.

 

[ChrisA]

Time machine can do this. OK, it is not 100% exactly what you asked for
1. from the PC "share" the folders you want to use for backup"
2. mount these on the Mac. hey will look like an external drive to the Mac.
3. Tell Time machine to use this "drive" for backup and that you want to include the external drives iin the backup. Then every hour the Mac will push any changes you made to the PC.

But the problem, if it is a problem is at ALL change to make on the Mac will be pushed to the PC, it will backup more then you asked for.

If all you want to do is "sync" the files one way from Mac to PC then you can use "rsync". Rsync has been included with UNIX-like computers for decades and it is on your Mac already. Then, you "share" the folder from the PC to the Mac and use rsync to copy files that are different from the Mac to the shared folder. Rsync, like Time Machine is smart enough to only copy what has changed and unlike Time Machine will only look at the files you tell it to look at.

The good thing bout both Time machine and rsync is that you already have the software on your Mac.

 

[gilby101]

Time machine can do this. OK, it is not 100% exactly what you asked for
1. from the PC "share" the folders you want to use for backup"
2. mount these on the Mac. hey will look like an external drive to the Mac.
3. Tell Time machine to use this "drive" for backup and that you want to include the external drives iin the backup. Then every hour the Mac will push any changes you made to the PC.

Have you done this? Knowing a little about how TM works, I find it hard to believe that this could be successful.

 

[HDFan]

from the PC "share" the folders you want to use for backup"

Tried it. The folder didn't show up in TM as a possible backup location.