I want to create a backup of my Time Machine drive

[stanw]

out of extreme paranoia from past data loss, I want to use a 4tb drive to backup two separate drives used as Time Machine drives that I will store at a remote location. I really only want the data, and I can't tell but it seems like the Time Machine drives have the same files copied over and over again in different folders at different times. What is the best way to backup just the data files without copying the same files over and over again?

Thanks.

 

[maflynn]

I think the simplest solution in my mind is to use Carbon Copy Cloner and backup your computer not the TM drive. Take that backup offsite. That's what I do.

 

[simonsi]

It takes one full backup, then it only backs up changed files, it doesnt backup the same file over and over unless it changes.

 

[stanw]

mayflynn,

Curious to why you use both Carbon Copy Cloner and TM? Why not just use Carbon Copy Cloner and not use TM at all?

 

[maflynn]

Time Machine excels at retrieving versions of files, so if I messed up a directory or saved over a document, I'll use TM.

Carbon Copy Cloner is superior performing a full system restore.

So to summarize, I use TM for the minor restores and CCC for the oh crap, I destroyed my system

 

[jbarley]

I too use both TM and CCC, and more then once this has saved my A$$.
For instance, a while ago My system developed an issue where I could not open the System Preferences Pane, so I tried booting from my CCC clone but it appears that the problem had already been migrated during my last CCC backup operation.
So the solution for me was to go back using TM to a period before this problem was created and restore the System Preferences Application.
I've had similar problems over the years and maintain the thought, "you cannot have too many backups."
Having more then 1 backup strategy lessens the chances of corrupt files having been migrated unknowingly to your backup, in essence defeating the backup.

 

[tomnavratil]

mayflynn,

Curious to why you use both Carbon Copy Cloner and TM? Why not just use Carbon Copy Cloner and not use TM at all?

They actually both serve a different purpose, whilst CCC takes a full image of the disk and thus it's great for secondary, off-site backup. TM is really awesome for creating versions of files over time, which is handy when the syatem gets messed up.

And actually it's not an extreme paranoia at all. TM is only a single-layer backup, you should have a second backup of files and also a third backup off-site in the cloud - 3 different media / 2 different geographical locations.

 

[simonsi]

So to summarize, I use TM for the minor restores and CCC for the oh crap, I destroyed my system

Me too

 

[stanw]

Thanks for all the replies.

Any idea if I could use a single 4TB drive with Carbon Copy Cloner to back up/clone 2-3 drives OR is it designed so that 1 backup drive is used to backup one other drive?

Thanks.

 

[tomnavratil]

Yes, CCC actually offers a few guides how to achieve that - https://bombich.com/kb/ccc4/i-want-backup-multiple-machines-or-hard-drives-same-hard-drive .