Hello! I am hoping to setup a backup solution for my Macbook Pro as well as a couple of external drives connected directly to it via USB, an internal eSATA drive mounted on a Popcorn Hour A400 media player, and an external drive plugged to this media player via USB as well. These last two I access via RJ45 cable from Mac to router to Popcorn Hour. All external drives are NTFS formatted, using Paragon NTFS allows me to read-write all of them with my Macbook. The only automated backup I am performing now is Time Machine which backs up my Macbook HDD to a 128GB pen drive, this works fine. Now I am investigating ways to backup the rest of the drives as well. I was thinking of buying a 4TB WD My Book Studio solely for backup purposes. I know that because it is HFS+ formatted I can use it for Time Machine and get rid of the pen drive solution. Now, as for backing up all the rest, from what I have read, I understand it's possible to backup the two external drives connected to my Macbook but not those accessed over the netowork. In their case, I would have to connect both Macbook and My Book backup drive to those and perform manual backups via USB. Am I thinking any of this correctly or will the fact that all external drives are NTFS formatted be a problem for Time Machine? If so, any software to aid in that?
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Backup Solution for Macbook Pro and Network Drives?
- Thread starter johannarg
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Any drive you have access to on your Mac - local or networked - can be backed up using the excellent software Carbon Copy Cloner. I recommend it.
If that pen drive is your only backup, you really should revise your strategy.
Also keep in mind that backup of multiple drives to one drive means you'll lose all backups if that one drive fails. It's not the most robust solution.
If that pen drive is your only backup, you really should revise your strategy.
Also keep in mind that backup of multiple drives to one drive means you'll lose all backups if that one drive fails. It's not the most robust solution.
Hi JTToft, thanks for your response! I read about Carbon Copy Cloner, so buying and installing it on my Macbook would allow me to backup not only those NTFS networked drives as well, even if the backup drive is HFS+? That would be fantastic, if so, will buy it today!
- I don't use NTFS at all, but I can't see a reason it shouldn't work in both directions, HFS+ <-> NTFS. Subject to NTFS compatibility in the OS itself, of course. But I see you have Paragon installed.
There's a fully functional trial so you can test it out.
EDIT: Bombich Software does mention this:
https://bombich.com/kb/ccc4/backing-up-tofrom-network-volumes-and-other-non-hfs-volumes
Interesting, thanks. I am considering these two hard drives for the backup setup.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/252193853159?_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT
http://www.ebay.com/itm/371688772759?_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT
I see that the My Book needs to be powered to AC, not sure if that has pros against the My Passport. Which would you choose?
It really depends what you do. If you are on the move all the time and needs to use CCC to back up then get the My Passport or any 2.5" HDD. If you are connecting it to your Airport as a network backup drive then get whatever is cheaper. Note you do not need to get the My Book Studio for Mac. You could of just get My Book Studio (http://www.ebay.com/itm/WD-My-Book-...502224?hash=item4d496f23d0:g:RYMAAOSw~oFXK4O0) and it's cheaper. Or http://www.ebay.com/itm/WD-4TB-My-B...320235?hash=item3d236c87ab:g:QnIAAOxyffZSXGdY. The difference is the "for Mac" which WD helps you format it into Mac format. You can buy the My Book Studio and plug it into your Mac and format it there.
Hello gngan, thanks for your reply! My idea is to leave the backup drive sitting on the desk. (I do not have Airport but a Zyxel router). I like the metal finish of the one for Mac but admit it's not important, so I may go with the black My Book. Is there any advantage to the AC powered My Book vs. My Passport which is just USB powered? I am not big into more plugs and cables than I already have.
My suggestion would be to have also one copy of offsite backup. There are many cloud-services available. Both as simple storage space as well as specialized backup solutions.
That way you are also protected from home disasters. Insurance will cover your material damage, but won't still be able to recover your data.
Indeed, not all data needs that level of protection. But in this day and age, your digital memories might do.
That way you are also protected from home disasters. Insurance will cover your material damage, but won't still be able to recover your data.
Indeed, not all data needs that level of protection. But in this day and age, your digital memories might do.
Finally got the backup config going with an external 4TB My Passport (OS Extended formatted) and Carbon Copy Cloner on my Mac (using on trial for now), so far works fantastic backing up everything on the NAS. Seems like great software! I will keep looking into other options to improve my backup strategy. Thanks for all the tips 
Everything was fine until a few hours ago when my Macbook stopped mounting the 4TB My Passport. I can see it on Disk Utility, pressing Mount won't do it. Tried First Aid and it gave me an error. Restarted, opened Disk Utility and the disks have been loading for minutes. The My Passport seems to be fine, it passes all tests using the WD Drive Utilities for Mac and I was able to view its contents on Windows 10. Any advice? This is frustrating, it was going great with Carbon Copy Cloner!