Time Machine on a NAS

[chefwong]

Is anyone using Time Machine to a NAS. Have done it in the past....never did end up. TM would break - sparse bundle issues, etc

Setting my a new notebook. Most of the files are in Dropbox, etc. Anyhow, just thinking outbound to see if worthwhile to try TM to a NAS again

 

[velocityg4]

I'd probably just opt for a cheap used Mac Mini. Plug in an external HDD and use that for network backups of Macs.

Personally, I prefer file syncs to network locations. I've found those are way more reliable than network backups. At least as far as consumer grade devices go.

 

[glenthompson]

Currently running Time Machine to a Synology. It's only been running for about 4 months but no problems. I have other backup methods so if it has issues I am unlikely to suffer losses.

 

[chefwong]

The last time I ran TM was on a SYN. That was 28 months ago or so though when the last TM broke...

Apple Time Capsule Aside, I've never seen a TM over Network2Nas not break
Revisiting this now as I'm not sure if the OS build (currently on Sur) fixes these sort of things...

 

[DaveSanDiego]

I have been running TM on a Synology NAS DJ211 for over 10 years now... only issue I had was the original drives died about 3yrs ago. took 5 minutes to change them out, and back online again. This NAS is doing the TM backups for 3 Macs on my network...

 

[Cyprusian]

Past issues with TM backing up over Wi-Fi to my Synology DS218j disappeared on my mid-2014 13" Retina MBP after updating MacOS to Big Sur - currently running version 11.2.3.

 

[HDFan]

Is anyone using Time Machine to a NAS.

Apple Time Capsule Aside, I've never seen a TM over Network2Nas not break
Revisiting this now as I'm not sure if the OS build (currently on Sur) fixes these sort of things...

There have been some reports of it working well. Other reports where the backup gets corrupted and has to be rebuilt. I fall into the latter category backing up to either QNAP or Synology. They eventually fail so gave up trying. Haven't tried on Big Sur through.

 

[chefwong]

So weird on the Synology comment. Granted I did state the OS X build/TM over network might have changed , but my last foray was 2 different UniBody MBP Circa 2013 and 2016 and both of them always got the sparse bundle TM corrupt and that may have been on 2 different Synology.

 

[balticgreen]

I've been backing up to a homebuilt TrueNAS (f.k.a. FreeNAS) server via Time Machine for over 10 years now. I've never had any problems with it.

 

[njvm]

As @glenthompson, I run TM to a Synology NAS and I have had no problems with it, unlike when I used to back up to a Drobo NAS and I used to regularly get sparse bundle issues.

 

[chefwong]

Hard wired or wireless...not that it should matter. We're running some enterprise grade controller WAPS here..

 

[njvm]

In my case Ethernet to the Synology NAS and USB-C to the Drobo.

 

[piattj]

I gave up with TM to Synology NAS after occasions where the backup was corrupt & I had to start again. Can't trust it. Don't know whether the problem lies with Apple or with Synology. It works 90+% but then, for no reason, fails. And takes AGES to do the hourly backup. AND it's so non-configurable.
Now using Arq7 which so far is flawless, and fast, and configurable.

 

[glenthompson]

Hard wired or wireless...not that it should matter. We're running some enterprise grade controller WAPS here..

I’m wireless to an Eero that’s across the room and it’s hardwired to a switch that hosts the Synology. I used to have problems with Time Machine across wireless connections.

 

[chefwong]

Maybe I should give it one last try. In every instance, I just recall it runs great and then pffft, one day it just breaks.

And for each time that it has occurs..........I swore I would never attempt TM over network and I'm not tethered to a cable or desk generally.

 

[Le Big Mac]

I'm in a similar situation - hard drive attached to my airport extreme died, so it seems like a good time to consider evolution.

Synology seems like it works for some but not all. Any WD My Cloud (or pro versions) users getting it to work? Or should I stick with the mostly working AEx+hard drive (except one that works)?

 

[michaelafcadio]

Maybe I should give it one last try. In every instance, I just recall it runs great and then pffft, one day it just breaks.

And for each time that it has occurs..........I swore I would never attempt TM over network and I'm not tethered to a cable or desk generally.

Please let us know and post an update if you try again. I've had similar experiences where I've been burnt in the past and have given up, but would really like to go back to automatic TM backups to a NAS.

 

[southerndoc]

I'm using TM on a Mac mini M1 via 10G ethernet to a Synology RS1221+ with some minor problems. When backing up, I intermittently lose internet activity on my Mac while it's backing up. Web pages will time out. It's a major pain, but I've found that turning off automatic backups helps. I manually back up when I'm not actively needing network connectivity.

 

[michaelafcadio]

TM on a Mac mini M1 via 10G ethernet to a Synology RS1221+

How is your Mac connected to the NAS? Directly via a single Ethernet cable between Mac and Synology or are you using a 10G switch? If using a switch, it could be a problem with the switch or how the switch is connected with the router and other devices.

 

[southerndoc]

MM M1 10G Ethernet built in -> CAT6a to a Ubiquiti US-16-XG -> SFP+ (x2 LAG) to RS1221+

I also have tried using a SonnetTech Thunderbolt 3 SFP+ adapter. Still experiences it. It also did the same thing with my Ubiquiti Aggregation Switch via SFP+ and my old iMac with 1G did the same thing.

I have tried connecting it directly to the NAS.

 

[michaelafcadio]

MM M1 10G Ethernet built in -> CAT6a to a Ubiquiti US-16-XG -> SFP+ (x2 LAG) to RS1221+

I also have tried using a SonnetTech Thunderbolt 3 SFP+ adapter. Still experiences it. It also did the same thing with my Ubiquiti Aggregation Switch via SFP+ and my old iMac with 1G did the same thing.

I have tried connecting it directly to the NAS.

Ugh. That's interesting. Not in a good way. But thanks for providing the details.