Time Machine Backup to Synology NAS Catalina

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Time Machine Backup to Synology NAS Catalina

I've not been able to successfully backup to my Synology NAS with Time Machine since upgrading to Catalina. The backup will start, begin backing up but after a short time will stall. Frequently I will get a message that a network problem has interrupted the backup, when I get this error I at times need to restart finder before accessing the NAS, other times there is no apparent issue with the connection.

I can backup to a directly connected drive. Further, I have no other connection issues with other devices on the network, so by all accounts this problem seems to be specific to my MacBook Pro after upgrading to Catalina.

Any suggestions how to fix this?

MacBook Pro 15", macOS 10.15

Posted on Feb 15, 2020 8:44 AM

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Answer 1

Barney-15E

Level 10

123,646 points

Feb 16, 2020 9:49 AM in response to Sierra_11

Does your NAS support the Time Machine over SMB specification?

Despite representations by the NAS manufacturers, Time Machine via Apple Filing Protocol (AFP) to a NAS has never been supported. It sort of worked for some, but because the NAS AFP wasn't true AFP, it often failed.

Recent changes made Time Machine work via SMB to a NAS if the NAS supports the specification. If you are trying to use AFP, that may be the problem.

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Answer 2

Barney-15E

Level 10

123,646 points

Feb 18, 2020 6:25 PM in response to Sierra_11

Have you tried resetting the file sharing and TM sharing on the NAS?

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Answer 3

Barney-15E

Level 10

123,646 points

Feb 17, 2020 7:05 PM in response to Sierra_11

My NAS does support SMB, I have SMB service enabled and Bonjour Time Machine broadcast via SMB.

I have not idea if that means the same thing. The NAS must support the Time Machine over SMB specification published by Apple. It is not merely enabling sharing via SMB.

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Answer 4

Sierra_11 Author

Level 1

12 points

Feb 18, 2020 2:38 PM in response to Barney-15E

The NAS is a Synology DS1019+, it supports Time Machine over SMB. I was using SMB exclusively with High Sierra without any issue. Now it is stalling after only a few GB has been backed up.

I've tried deleting my TM backup and starting anew. I've tried switching to an encrypted backup, toggling Exclude system files and application, I've enabled backup on battery power and using a different power cord, I've tried clearing my SMB cache on the NAS. None of this has made any improvement in the TM stability... it still stops for no apparent reason.

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Answer 5

Sierra_11 Author

Level 1

12 points

Feb 17, 2020 6:49 PM in response to Barney-15E

Appreciate the suggestion. My NAS does support SMB, I have SMB service enabled and Bonjour Time Machine broadcast via SMB.

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Time Machine Backup to Synology NAS Catalina

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