Time Machine vs Alternate Backup Software

[Toucansma]

I am going the route of installing a Mac Mini Server to act as a file server, iTunes server, and backup for my home. I have two other Macs that I want to backup their contents to the Mini. I have previously used time machine on my time capsule (which I will get rid of), but I have had the occasional problem (rebuild of bundle requested). My question to everyone, is from experience if I should stick with Mac Mini and Yosemite Server utilizing the Time Machine function or instead use some other backup software? I backup my critical documents in the cloud so that there is redundancy. Any suggestions or advice would be appreciated. Thanks!

 

[Larry-K]

I am going the route of installing a Mac Mini Server to act as a file server, iTunes server, and backup for my home. I have two other Macs that I want to backup their contents to the Mini. I have previously used time machine on my time capsule (which I will get rid of), but I have had the occasional problem (rebuild of bundle requested). My question to everyone, is from experience if I should stick with Mac Mini and Yosemite Server utilizing the Time Machine function or instead use some other backup software? I backup my critical documents in the cloud so that there is redundancy. Any suggestions or advice would be appreciated. Thanks!

Take a look at Chronosync if you're just backing up files, I like it.

 

[Apple_Robert]

Take a look at Clear Copy Cloner. Excellent program with lots of features.

https://bombich.com

 

[glenthompson]

Instead of looking for a substitute for time machine, consider using multiple methods. Add CCC as another backup. Also consider how you will backup the files stored on the server. I like Crashplan for an offsite solution and it can be used to backup files between your machines.

 

[Sciuriware]

I combine monthly backups of only the system to a 64Gb USB stick
using SuperDuper! (produces a bootable stick) with continuous backups
by TimeMachine to a Time Capsule with a second disk (alternating).
I spread my own data over several machines. That must be enough.
;JOOP!

 

[maflynn]

I use TM and carbon copy cloner. Time Machine backs up my entire system, but is more for file recovery, where as Carbon Copy Cloner is more of a system restore if the need arises.

 

[Toucansma]

Thanks everyone for all the suggestions and advice! Greatly appreciated. I am going to check out some these programs. I have used CCloner for hard drives but not as a backup solution. I will let you know which way I end up going.

 

[MacBH928]

I don't understand what your needs exactly are, but I have a very good experience with Carbon Copy Clone. You can create a bootable drive, and it is also fast.

I recently learned for a service that would backup your whole HDD without limits for $5 a month. If your system goes down you can download your backup or order an HDD with your backups on it mailed to you. Its called BlackBlaze but I never tried them

I combine monthly backups of only the system to a 64Gb USB stick
using SuperDuper! (produces a bootable stick)

SuperDuper still works? their website looks awfully outdated and the developer seems uninspired

 

[Partron22]

SuperDuper still works?

Still regularly updated, twice since Yosemite came out.
Developer is no slouch on this:

Revision History

Version 2.7.5(95), November 20, 2014
• Enhancements & Bug Fixes
• Fixes issue with “looping symlinks” in some app frameworks (MDRP, FileMaker Deluxe Pro, iPhoto Library Manager 2, TextMate)

Version 2.7.4(94), November 18, 2014
• Enhancements & Bug Fixes
• Significantly faster copying
• Even smarter Smart Updates, with finer-grained copying
• Automatically excludes (and preserves) the Backblaze “.bzvol” folder
• Upgrade animation error fixed (so the next update announcement will be visible for those who aren’t seeing it now), Rocky! This time for sure!
• Various other fixes and improvements

 

[Sciuriware]

I'd rather have a good application from an "outdated website"
than rubbish from a "state-of-the-art" website.

And I know several people who appreciate it, so .........

;JOOP!

 

[robgendreau]

Take a look at ProSoft Engineering's Data Backup 3. Does a variety of different backups, scheduling, etc etc. I got it as part of a StackSocial bundle or something, and have begun using it a lot for photos.

There are several different ways to backup, but without more info hard to give you advice on that. But Data Backup does a couple of types of incremental backups, versioning, and clones, so covers many needs. Which is why I like it more and more, since I don't have to mess with different programs for different backups.