David Strait

Q: Aperture Backup Strategies

This discussion began on another thread (Link Below), but I thought it was best to a new discussion.

https://discussions.apple.com/message/30503051?start=420&tstart=0

 

I have used several methods to backup my Aperture library, but was told there may be problems with some of those methods. I summarize comments made by others here:

 

Here are methods that should be OK:

- Time Machine

- Carbon Copy Cloner

 

Here are methods that could be problematic:

- Aperture vaults (Since Aperture 3.3)

- Possibly any online backup service (BackBlaze & SugarSync mentioned specifically)

 

I am currently test-restoring a BackBlaze backup and will report here the results

 

David

Aperture 3

Posted on Aug 6, 2016 10:09 AM

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Q: Aperture Backup Strategies

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  • by David Strait,

    David Strait David Strait Aug 6, 2016 10:35 AM in response to David Strait
    Level 2 (216 points)
    Photography
    Aug 6, 2016 10:35 AM in response to David Strait

    I created a small (300 mb) Aperture library, then backed up to BackBlaze. I then restored the test library from BackBlaze and downloaded it back to my computer. I attempted to open the restored library and I got the message:

    “Aperture has detected inconsistencies in your library. Please click Repair to avoid any potential problems.”

     

    I clicked “Repair” and a few seconds later the library opened. All metadata and adjustments appear to be OK.

     

    I also sent a help request to BackBlaze stating that some Aperture users have had problems with restoring Aperture files and asked them to comment. They usually take up to a full day to respond. I will post their comments here when I receive them.

     

    So far, their service seems to work with Aperture, but I’ll remain skeptical since others have reported problems. Here is a link to their recommended procedures for restoring an Aperture library with BackBlaze.

     

    https://help.backblaze.com/hc/en-us/articles/217665858-iPhoto-Aperture-Restore-G uide

     

    Please add your comments regarding these, or other Aperture backup strategies/issues.

     

    David

  • by léonie,

    léonie léonie Aug 6, 2016 10:43 AM in response to David Strait
    Level 10 (105,568 points)
    iLife
    Aug 6, 2016 10:43 AM in response to David Strait

    - Possibly any online backup service (BackBlaze & SugarSync mentioned specifically)

    An online service will be problematic if it is syncing, or if the file system is not MacOS Extended (Journaled).

     

    I could nt find an Apple document describing the syncing problem for Aperture, but Apple described it for Photos for Mac: And when I tested with an Aperture Library on iCloud Drive or in DropBox, the Aperture library was pretty soon corrupted and could no longer be opened at all. After rebuilding the library, all photos were in one single "Recovered" project.  And the "MacOS Extended (Journaled) file system iseesential tp avoid clashes of filenames.

    See Apple's document:  Updating from iPhoto to Photos for OS X - Apple Support

     

     If you store your Photos library in a location that's part of a cloud service (for example, Dropbox, Box, or Google Drive), your library might be damaged by the syncing process. As a result, you could lose photos.

    To see your photos on all your devices, you can use iCloud Photo Library. To back up your library, you can use Time Machine.

  • by léonie,

    léonie léonie Aug 6, 2016 10:55 AM in response to David Strait
    Level 10 (105,568 points)
    iLife
    Aug 6, 2016 10:55 AM in response to David Strait

    One more comment.

    I understand the appeal of an off-site backup. If your house burns down and all your backup disk don't work any longer, you will still be able to access your documents and data. It is one reason, why I am keeping my most important photos in iCloud Photo Library.

    But I am keeping local backups as my primary backup. This way I do not depend on the internet, should I need a backup. I have a direct access to my backups and restoring will be much faster. Also, I can routinely test the backus if they are working. The worst time to find out, that a backup did not work, is when you need it

  • by David Strait,

    David Strait David Strait Aug 6, 2016 11:16 AM in response to léonie
    Level 2 (216 points)
    Photography
    Aug 6, 2016 11:16 AM in response to léonie

    Alan Eckert replied (on the other thread) that he attempted to restore his entire Aperture library from BackBlaze and he had problems with the metadata and adjustments. It is possible that my small test library will develop problems with time. I’ll keep it around for a while and restore from time to time to see if things change. The fact that it had to be repaired was not terribly reassuring.

     

    I use BackBlaze as my “offsite” backup solution. I already use dual TM and CCC copies for onsite backup. I already have all my Aperture files uploaded to BackBlaze (~1 TB), so I see no need to delete those files at this point (doesn’t cost me any more). I will also keep a CCC clone of my Aperture library offsite as well.

     

    I have had no problems with other file restoration from BackBlaze… seems to work well. I went with BackBlaze because they were the most “Apple Friendly” online backup service and it was developed by engineers who previously worked at Apple.

     

    I’m interested in their comments (which I’ll post here), but I will remain skeptical and not rely solely on them for offsite storage, at least for Aperture. 

     

    David

  • by léonie,Helpful

    léonie léonie Aug 6, 2016 12:46 PM in response to David Strait
    Level 10 (105,568 points)
    iLife
    Aug 6, 2016 12:46 PM in response to David Strait

    I have had no problems with other file restoration from BackBlaze… seems to work well. I went with BackBlaze because they were the most “Apple Friendly” online backup service and it was developed by engineers who previously worked at Apple.

    Many off-site backups are working very well with single files and documents, but not with bundled packages, like photo libraries. The problem are the links within the libraries from the internal database files to the linked documents and media files. If the off-site backup is syncing and replacing linked files and storing them on an unsupported file system, the links in the packages will be broken.

  • by David Strait,

    David Strait David Strait Aug 6, 2016 12:46 PM in response to léonie
    Level 2 (216 points)
    Photography
    Aug 6, 2016 12:46 PM in response to léonie

    That is very good to know!

     

    This sound like it will also be a problem with FCP & iMovie. I guess iTunes should be OK.

     

    Thanks!


    David

  • by David Strait,

    David Strait David Strait Aug 7, 2016 8:03 PM in response to léonie
    Level 2 (216 points)
    Photography
    Aug 7, 2016 8:03 PM in response to léonie

    I asked BackBlaze support to comment on this. For what it's worth, here was their reply:

     

    "We have not had issues with the packages. Backblaze backs up your data the exact way that you have it saved, so I think the issue in your quote is "storing them on an unsupported file system." As long as they are saved in the same place when you restore the data, they should be fine."

     

    I have always kept two backups on site and use BackBlaze only for a disaster scenario. I'll keep restoring my small Test Aperture library to see if it develops any problems as I use it and restore it repeatedly. So far it seems to work fine, but I haven't used it much yet.

     

    David

  • by David Strait,

    David Strait David Strait Aug 13, 2016 12:46 PM in response to David Strait
    Level 2 (216 points)
    Photography
    Aug 13, 2016 12:46 PM in response to David Strait

    Thought I’d give an update on possible problems using online backups with Aperture for anyone who may be interested.

     

    I’ve had more conversations with Backblaze support staff, who insist there will be no problem  restoring Aperture libraries as long as you:

    1) Restore the complete library at one time.

    2) Restore the library in the original location.

     

    I have been testing a small library (~500 mb) for the past week and restored it three times so far. The first time required a “repair,” but worked fine after the repair. The last two restores worked fine with no “repair” needed. So far, so good.

     

    Allan Eckert stated (in a separate discussion) that he tested Backblaze and had problems with the restore working properly. I asked Backblaze support if there was previously a problem that they fixed in the past, but I never got a straight answer.

     

    Csound1 stated (in a separate discussion) that he had used “SugarSync” and they finally stopped backing up Aperture libraries due to unresolved problems. I contacted SugarSync and asked them about this. They said they have resolved the issue and they now backup Aperture libraries.

     

    Leonie cautions about using any online backup for Apple packages since the packages depend on using an OS X formatted disk to maintain link integrity within the package. I specifically asked Backblaze about this and they simply repeated that “it will work if you follow our instructions.”

     

    Bottom line; I never got a completely satisfactory answer to my questions from Backblaze, but I also have not (yet) encountered any issues with restoring my test library. I will continue to test it for a while and see if problems develop with time and report back here for anyone who is interested.

     

    I use Backblaze as an additional backup strategy and not a replacement for anything I already had. I will remain skeptical for the time being and continue to restore my test library. I will eventually do a complete restore on my main library at some point (probably when I get a new computer to minimize the hassle). If that restore works, I will be satisfied.

     

    David

  • by léonie,

    léonie léonie Aug 13, 2016 5:10 PM in response to David Strait
    Level 10 (105,568 points)
    iLife
    Aug 13, 2016 5:10 PM in response to David Strait
    I use Backblaze as an additional backup strategy and not a replacement for anything I already had. I will remain skeptical for the time being and continue to restore my test library.

    I don't use Backblaze, but when I tested with an Aperture library in Dropbox or iCloud, it was essential to be sure that the library has been uploaded completely, before opening it in Aperture or doing anything with it. Editing in Aperture while the upload was still going on wold corrupt it immediately.

  • by David Strait,

    David Strait David Strait Aug 15, 2016 8:25 AM in response to léonie
    Level 2 (216 points)
    Photography
    Aug 15, 2016 8:25 AM in response to léonie

    Excellent observation, Leonie.

    My test library was backed up after I closed Aperture, so I wasn’t working on it during the backup process. I tried the following in an attempt to “break” the restored test library.

    1) I opened the library and made some edits, added photos and created albums, etc.

    2) I forced a backup to Backblaze while I continued working. After the backup was complete, I continued working on the library.

    3) I closed the library, then forced another backup to Backblaze.

     

    I restored the library from the latest backup and it worked  fine with no issues. I’m becoming somewhat more comfortable that Backblaze can be used reliably as a Backup for Aperture. However, I will only be completely confident after I restore my main library and have no problems. That will have to wait until I get a new Mac (which must wait on Apple making a new Mac Pro, which may never happen! I may have to settle for upgrading my 2009 Pro to a used 2010-12 Pro).

     

    David