Time Machine - WiFi Options

[angelus512]

HI guys just a quick one. I have a Netgear WNDR3700 as my modem at home. I'd like to hookup an external HDD to my modem's USB or ethernet port so it can be used as a WiFi time machine backup.
Don't want to be backing up via USB direct to my mac.

I don't want to go purchase a Time Capsule which would work fine but I think its overpriced frankly.
What other options are there that would work?

Its somewhat unclear on other products from Western Digital, Netgear, Buffalo etc as to whether they will work in the way I intend (wifi backup via my Netgear router).
Because every HDD works fine for time machine hookedup via USB direct but thats not what I want.

 

[angelus512]

221views and nobody has a thought?

 

[joejoe2010]

221views and nobody has a thought?

in a similar situation, following this thread....

 

[VictoryHighway]

In order to support network-based Time Machine, a server must support the latest version of the AFP (Apple Filing Protocol). Most router's don't support this, but many NAS devices do.

 

[d21mike]

Your router (which is not a modem) supports sharing files with the attached hard drive but does not support Time Machine. You would need something like a NAS Device (like Synology) that supports AFP Protocol for file sharing and also supports "Time Machine". I have a Synology NAS Device and was using it for my Time Machine Backup and when I installed Mountain Lion it stopped working. I contacted them and got no reply. Your safest bet is to actually use a Time Capsule (can be used in bridge mode so you could continue to use your current router if you want). I do expect Synology to solve this problem at some point because it is an excellent device. I use it for other things so I may get a TC just for backups but given them a little more time.

I recommend you use Google to search for NAS and Time Machine Compatible.

 

[joejoe2010]

Your router (which is not a modem) supports sharing files with the attached hard drive but does not support Time Machine. You would need something like a NAS Device (like Synology) that supports AFP Protocol for file sharing and also supports "Time Machine". I have a Synology NAS Device and was using it for my Time Machine Backup and when I installed Mountain Lion it stopped working. I contacted them and got no reply. Your safest bet is to actually use a Time Capsule (can be used in bridge mode so you could continue to use your current router if you want). I do expect Synology to solve this problem at some point because it is an excellent device. I use it for other things so I may get a TC just for backups but given them a little more time.

I recommend you use Google to search for NAS and Time Machine Compatible.

d21mike, i've been looking into Synology after hearing nothing but good things but am putting off the purchase for the time being. Just curious, which unit are you using?

 

[hafr]

I'm using the Airport Extreme with a USB-drive connected to it. But that's only because I had an external drive lying around and I needed to save some cash. Otherwise I would have gone for the TC and used the external drive for something else (still connected to the router though ).

 

[d21mike]

d21mike, i've been looking into Synology after hearing nothing but good things but am putting off the purchase for the time being. Just curious, which unit are you using?

I have the DS212+ at both my home and office. They are exact duplicates and each one is setup with RAID 1 to Mirror one drive to the other. They also have a option to backup one to the other over then internet. So I have that run every night. They also have an option to do a "Time Backup" which works very similar to Time Machine which does a backup of the one at home to an attached drive. This allows me to see files going back for months. I have been extremely happy with Synlogy and still for the main purpose and that is my office data. But I was also using the one at home for my Time Machine Backups until I installed Mountain Lion. Not sure what the problem is. For the sole purpose of Time Machine Backup I think they are overkill and can be costly depending on what you setup. That is why I said you should consider the Time Capsule.

 

[BPeter]

I set up Time Machine to use HD attached to Apple Airport Extreme's USB. It works well over WiFi (considering it is USB 2.0). The trick was to format the HD to use HFS file system and then to use Finder to connect to it. After that I was able to select it for use with the Time Machine.

 

[whsbuss]

I have the DS212+ at both my home and office. They are exact duplicates and each one is setup with RAID 1 to Mirror one drive to the other. They also have a option to backup one to the other over then internet. So I have that run every night. They also have an option to do a "Time Backup" which works very similar to Time Machine which does a backup of the one at home to an attached drive. This allows me to see files going back for months. I have been extremely happy with Synlogy and still for the main purpose and that is my office data. But I was also using the one at home for my Time Machine Backups until I installed Mountain Lion. Not sure what the problem is. For the sole purpose of Time Machine Backup I think they are overkill and can be costly depending on what you setup. That is why I said you should consider the Time Capsule.

I had WDC mybook live 2tb NAS for 6 months before I stopped using it for time machine backups. Too inconsistent and slow. Been using a 2tb time capsule for a week now and its wonderful. I don't even notice the backups turning on/off. Very fast over wifi. I just wish apple would build in iTunes and video/music streaming. BTW, the problem with Synology's system w/Mountain Lion is the netatalk software that integrates with their OS. Check their user forum.

 

[fspasaro]

I had WDC mybook live 2tb NAS for 6 months before I stopped using it for time machine backups. Too inconsistent and slow. Been using a 2tb time capsule for a week now and its wonderful. I don't even notice the backups turning on/off. Very fast over wifi. I just wish apple would build in iTunes and video/music streaming. BTW, the problem with Synology's system w/Mountain Lion is the netatalk software that integrates with their OS. Check their user forum.

Ditto on the issue with WD MyBookLive. Been using both a 1TB and 2TB MyBookLive for about 8 months. Have to put up with slow loading file folder listings in Finder, and slow file transfers. The 2TB was specifically bought for use as a backup drive for 2 MBAs BUT you can only backup the MBAs when they're connected to the router via ethernet (TM reports the backup drive is not available when the MBA is connected over WiFi). Likewise, iTunes sees the iTunes share on the 2TB NAS when the MBA is connected via ethernet but not when connected over WiFi.

Tracking other threads and there appear to be many fans of Synology but also many fans of TC strictly for TM use with MBA and MBP devices connecting over WiFi - as I'm sure most users do most often.