QwertyMan11
Level 1 (14 points)
Mac OS X

Q: Time machine to a NAS drive

I'm going to buy a Seagate personal cloud NAS drive that says it's time machine compatible.


I'm also going to use the NAS for streaming my video files to my TV, PS4 etc.

Will I have to format the disk and partition the drive into a certain format for this to happen, if so what please?

 

I was thinking as my iMac has a 2Tb fusion drive, maybe 2Tb for time machine and the rest for video etc. Can I have 2 partitions in different formats?

Thanks

iMac, iOS 9.1, null

Posted on Nov 28, 2015 7:13 AM

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QwertyMan11

Q: Time machine to a NAS drive

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  • by Duane,

    Duane Duane Nov 28, 2015 11:59 AM in response to QwertyMan11
    Level 10 (124,018 points)
    Nov 28, 2015 11:59 AM in response to QwertyMan11

    I am using a NAS drive for Time Machine. I used the information on this link -> http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/turn-nas-windows-share-time-machine-backup/

    Make your sparse bundle 3X the size of the drive(s) that you want to back up.

     

    Yes partitions can be different formats. But why?

  • by Linc Davis,

    Linc Davis Linc Davis Nov 28, 2015 1:06 PM in response to QwertyMan11
    Level 10 (207,926 points)
    Applications
    Nov 28, 2015 1:06 PM in response to QwertyMan11

    A third-party network-attached storage device (NAS) or router is unsuitable for use with Time Machine, especially if it's your only backup. I know this isn't what you want to hear. I know that Time Machine accepts the device as a backup destination. I know that the manufacturer says the device will work with Time Machine, and I also know that it usually seems to work. Except when you try to restore, and find that you can't.

    Apple has published a specification for network devices that work with Time Machine. No third-party vendor, as far as I know, meets that specification. They all use the incomplete, obsolete Netatalk implementation of Apple Filing Protocol.

    Apple does not endorse any third-party network device for use with Time Machine. See this support article.

    If you want network backup, use as the destination either an Apple Time Capsule or an external storage device connected to another Mac or to an 802.11ac AirPort base station. Only the 802.11ac base stations support Time Machine, not any older model.

    Otherwise, don't use Time Machine at all. There are other ways to back up, though none of them is anywhere near as efficient or as well integrated with OS X. I don't have a specific recommendation.

    If you're determined to keep using the device with Time Machine, your only recourse for any problems that result is to the manufacturer (which will blame Apple, or you, or anyone but itself.)