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User profile for user: vastw
vastw Author
User level: Level 1
8 points

Use of netgear for time machine

I have multiple Macs running Sonoma or Sequoia, and I'm having issues with Time Machine. Specifically, I have a USB drive attached to my Netgear AX5700 router, which I've been using to run Time Machine backups. Now, my Macs can still access the drive in Finder via SMB with no problem--but TM can't access it. What I mean by this is that I can choose the drive in TM, but when it runs, it says it can't access the drive. One of the machines has a hard-wired connection to the router, so WiFi is not the issue. I've done the normal rebooting of router, computer, and drive, which normally resolves this, but not now.


I'm just trying to figure out what changed. Any thoughts would be appreciated.

MacBook Pro 14″, macOS 15.1

Posted on Nov 23, 2024 6:45 AM

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6 replies
User profile for user: Barney-15E
Barney-15E
User level: Level 10
116,770 points

Nov 23, 2024 8:57 AM in response to vastw

That configuration is not supported by Apple, but if the router supports SMB3 and the Time Machine over SMB specification, it might work like a NAS.

Backup disks you can use with Time Machine - Apple Support

From what I can tell, a NAS that uses SMB3 generally has support for the Time Machine over SMB specification, but I don’t know if that holds true for a router. You would have to check with the router manufacturer if they support the specification. The answer from them needs to be, “yes, your router model supports the Time Machine over SMB Specification,” not just “you can use Time Machine with your model router.”


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User profile for user: vastw
vastw Author
User level: Level 1
8 points

Nov 23, 2024 8:10 AM in response to vastw

Update--I connected the TM drive directly to my Sequoia-based Mac, wiped the drive, and tried to do a direct TM backup. It almost completes, but then says


"Time Machine did not finish backing up because some files were unavailable. Backups will resume when your Mac is unlocked."


I ran it multiple times and got the same result. How is my Mac locked? It can't be a timeout issue, as the last attempt failed within seconds.


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Use of netgear for time machine

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