backup/restore from ntfs/fat share?

wheelguy12 · wheelguy12 #1 (**permalink**)

04-26-2011, 11:36 PM

Does anyone know of a backup product for the Mac that will permit backup and restore to a NTFS or FAT share?

I'm trying to avoid having to buy and manage an external drive, and instead, use a network share I already use to back up my Win machine with.

Thanks again!

chscag · chscag #2 (**permalink**)

04-27-2011, 02:23 PM

The file system shouldn't matter when using a network share as the network protocol takes care of that.

However, if you wish to setup Time Machine to use a network share that may require a bit more work. Take a look at this article: LINK

Let us know if that works for you.

wheelguy12 · wheelguy12 #3 (**permalink**)

04-27-2011, 08:21 PM

Thank you for the link. Instructions seem to be very clear, but I was only able to get to step 13 of 17. At that point, Time Machine tells me that it "can't access the backup disk (OSStatus error 68). Seems odd since OSX was able to access the backup disk just find to create the sparse bundle file.

I'll reboot the Mac and see if that is the problem (I was supposed to do that after telling TM to allow use of a network drive, but didn't).

wheelguy12 · wheelguy12 #4 (**permalink**)

04-27-2011, 08:37 PM

Yep - it just needed a reboot. It's very entertaining to watch TM run, I'm going to enjoy doing this.

The only real weak point so far is the sparse bundle. Seems it has to be created first on a Mac compatible file system, then moved onto the NTFS file system. Guess I'll be learning more about sparse bundles. I'll bet someone has found a way to create them natively on NTFS disks, how to expand them, etc. Well worth the trouble, though, to be able to have just 1 network backup drive.

Thanks a bunch

bobtomay · bobtomay #5 (**permalink**)

04-27-2011, 08:38 PM

Thanks for the report.

wheelguy12 · wheelguy12 #6 (**permalink**)

04-28-2011, 07:53 PM

It appears to be perfectly behaved. On the TrueCrypted NTFS drive, the sparse bundle is just a file folder with thousands of 8meg files in it - very easy to manage.

I defined the folder to be compressed, and am seeing about 0.75x shrinkage in space required because of this (25% savings).

Even better - according to the following article, TM will automatically expand the sparse bundle to fill the remaining space on that hard drive without me having to do anything.
Time Machine - Troubleshooting A8. Changing the size or case-sensitivity of a sparse bundle

chscag #2 (permalink)
Member Since: Jan 23, 2008 Location: Fort Worth, Texas Posts: 31,955 Mac Specs: 21.5" iMac 2.5 GHz i5, iPad 3rd Gen., 3 iPods	04-27-2011, 02:23 PM The file system shouldn't matter when using a network share as the network protocol takes care of that. However, if you wish to setup Time Machine to use a network share that may require a bit more work. Take a look at this article: LINK Let us know if that works for you. Community Guidelines
	QUOTE Thanks

wheelguy12 #4 (permalink)
Member Since: Apr 07, 2011 Posts: 157	04-27-2011, 08:37 PM Yep - it just needed a reboot. It's very entertaining to watch TM run, I'm going to enjoy doing this. The only real weak point so far is the sparse bundle. Seems it has to be created first on a Mac compatible file system, then moved onto the NTFS file system. Guess I'll be learning more about sparse bundles. I'll bet someone has found a way to create them natively on NTFS disks, how to expand them, etc. Well worth the trouble, though, to be able to have just 1 network backup drive. Thanks a bunch Last edited by wheelguy12; 04-27-2011 at 09:01 PM.
	QUOTE Thanks

bobtomay #5 (permalink)
Member Since: Dec 22, 2006 Location: Texas, where else? Posts: 21,786 Mac Specs: 15" MBP 2.33 C2D 256 4GB, MBA 13" i7 1.8, MB 2.0 2GB, Nano 4th, 3GS, iPad 1	04-27-2011, 08:38 PM Thanks for the report. I cannot be held responsible for the things that come out of my mouth. In the Windows world, most everything folks don't understand is called a virus. Place your vote for our Member of the Month
	QUOTE Thanks

wheelguy12 #6 (permalink)
Member Since: Apr 07, 2011 Posts: 157	04-28-2011, 07:53 PM It appears to be perfectly behaved. On the TrueCrypted NTFS drive, the sparse bundle is just a file folder with thousands of 8meg files in it - very easy to manage. I defined the folder to be compressed, and am seeing about 0.75x shrinkage in space required because of this (25% savings). Even better - according to the following article, TM will automatically expand the sparse bundle to fill the remaining space on that hard drive without me having to do anything. Time Machine - Troubleshooting A8. Changing the size or case-sensitivity of a sparse bundle 2011 MacBook Pro 13" i5, 8/300 gig 27" + 23" disp
	QUOTE Thanks

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wheelguy12 #1 (permalink)
Member Since: Apr 07, 2011 Posts: 157	04-26-2011, 11:36 PM Does anyone know of a backup product for the Mac that will permit backup and restore to a NTFS or FAT share? I'm trying to avoid having to buy and manage an external drive, and instead, use a network share I already use to back up my Win machine with. Thanks again!
	QUOTE Thanks

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