I've had TM backup FROM direct attached storage TO NAS, but I'd like to be able to backup FROM an NAS volume (I'm using Synology) TO Time Machine. I've never seen that this is possible. I'm running Big Sur 11.6 on an M-1 iMac.
iMac 24″, macOS 11.6
Excellent!
You do not really need Time Machine. If the source is a NAS, the destination need not be a TM destination. You can use rsync to backup the NAS to any destination. In macOS Terminal type man rsync to see the manual page of the command.
If you really must use TM to back up this NAS, connect/mount it on a Mac, and then use TM options to include it in a backup. The NAS file system must be one supported by TM - APFS, HFS, FAT, exFAT.
Thanks for the reply. I like the feature of TM that lets me go back to a certain time, otherwise rsync would be a great idea.
You said "If you really must use TM to back up this NAS, connect/mount it on a Mac, and then use TM options to include it in a backup. The NAS file system must be one supported by TM - APFS, HFS, FAT, exFAT.", but the picture you posted shows EXCLUSION options from backup. I haven't yet found a way to attach an NAS drive to TM. DAS all seem to be there by default.
Does the NAS show up in the options list? The protocols used to connect to the NAS will determine if the Mac, on which the NAS is mounted, can be backed up or not. In most cases, NAS will you use SMB, which may force to use rsync. NFSv3/v4, if available, will allow the NAS to be mounted as a local file system.
That explains it.. it's SMB and so apparently not visible/available in the list of choices for TM drive. Oh well. rsync does have its great points, but as I said, not the hourly regression of files. Thanks.
That's what I'm doing now... I have an M1 iMac acting as a home server (and my personal machine), but if I have to reboot the machine it breaks the connection to the attached machines... was hoping that NAS would alleviate this problem, but it isn't a big one. Thanks for the thought.
You may want to consider moving the files you need to be on a DAS, and then sharing this DAS on the Network (System Preferences -> Sharing), which will give you the best of both worlds.
The connection should come back after the M1 iMac reboots. Is that not the case?
It does, but still not as neat as the other way. Thanks for the info.
Can Time Machine backup FROM NAS
