converting Backups.backupdb to sparsebundle

[msvadi]

Is it possible to convert a local backup to sparsebundle? I would like to create a local Time Machine backup on an external HD via USB (since it's faster), move the HD to the router (I have a router that allows to connect HDs via USB), and continue backing up over the network. Is it possible?

Thanks

 

[Mr_Brightside_@]

This site may be of use: http://www.baligu.com/pondini/TM/Troubleshooting.html

Do you know if your router supports Mac file systems? I ask because many don't, and the drive must be Mac formatted to work with Time Machine.

 

[Weaselboy]

Is it possible to convert a local backup to sparsebundle? I would like to create a local Time Machine backup on an external HD via USB (since it's faster), move the HD to the router (I have a router that allows to connect HDs via USB), and continue backing up over the network. Is it possible?

Thanks

There is a work around to do this. Attache the drive to the router (assuming it supports Time Machine) then start a backup to the disk using Time Machine. Give it a couple minutes to get started, then stop it and disconnect.

Now attach the drive to the Mac over USB. Look in Finder and you will see a sparse bundle with the partial Backups.backupdb file there. Just delete that file and empty the trash.

Now turn on Time Machine and do a full backup. When it is done you will have the full Backups.backupdb on the drive. Just move that from the root of the drive into the sparse bundle. Now connect it back to the router and turn TM back on. It will pick up where it left off with incremental backups going forward.

 

[msvadi]

This site may be of use: http://www.baligu.com/pondini/TM/Troubleshooting.html

Do you know if your router supports Mac file systems? I ask because many don't, and the drive must be Mac formatted to work with Time Machine.

Thanks for the link, there seems to be a lot of useful info. The drive is Mac formatted, and actually Time Machine does see it and starts backups. The problem is it can never finish it. The furthest it got was 600GB out of 1.2TB. I think the router does not maintain the connection with the HD long enough for the backup to finish, and then Time Machine has to start over with a message ". . . Time Machine must create a new backup for you."

Btw, the router is supposed to be Time Machine capable (Asus RT-AC5300): it has an option in the settings to enable Time Machine, which I did. The HD came formatted for MAC: Seagate Backup Plus Hub for Mac 8TB USB 3.0.
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There is a work around to do this. Attache the drive to the router (assuming it supports Time Machine) then start a backup to the disk using Time Machine. Give it a couple minutes to get started, then stop it and disconnect.

Now attach the drive to the Mac over USB. Look in Finder and you will see a sparse bundle with the partial Backups.backupdb file there. Just delete that file and empty the trash.

Now turn on Time Machine and do a full backup. When it is done you will have the full Backups.backupdb on the drive. Just move that from the root of the drive into the sparse bundle. Now connect it back to the router and turn TM back on. It will pick up where it left off with incremental backups going forward.

Thanks a lot! I'll try that.

 

[Mr_Brightside_@]

+1 to @Weaselboy, pretty neat.