Looking for Guidance: Streamlined Processes for Automated Backups
Looking for Guidance: Streamlined Processes for Automated Backups
Hello everyone, I hope this message finds you well. I'm dealing with a workflow issue and would value your insights and recommendations. The setup involves an external NVME drive connected to my Mac Mini, and I need to automatically transfer certain folders to a designated folder on a Windows PC via the local network. Right now, I'm spending a lot of time manually copying files over the network, which is becoming inefficient. Although I've experimented with tools like GoodSync, the performance drops significantly when handling numerous small files (around 1-100KB each). I'm looking for a quicker and more effective method. Could you suggest any backup solutions that handle large volumes of tiny files efficiently across Mac and Windows? Additionally, I'd appreciate advice on automating this process so it runs automatically at set intervals or in response to specific events. Any tips or experiences you've shared would be greatly helpful.
Using Timemachine on Mac will first copy everything, then apply only incremental updates over time. You won’t need to do anything unless you change partitions or add drives, since the system will handle it automatically. Time machine will prompt you to select a drive when needed.
At this moment in time, consider a dedicated NAS for better reliability. If using rsync is preferred, keep track of timing to avoid conflicts. The challenge with varying systems—like switching between macOS, Windows, Linux, or BSD—is losing file metadata, which makes backups risky unless you reset everything. Preserve permissions and timestamps only if you're certain. For Linux environments, especially with FreeNAS, rsync works well. When backing up to Windows, extra steps are needed. Generally, using Time Machine on macOS is ideal, and NAS tools can integrate with it.
Thanks for your feedback. From what I understand, many people recommend FreeNAS and Rsync as strong options, though they do require some learning and setup. I’m looking for a solution that’s ready to use with an intuitive interface, so I don’t have to spend time on configuration files. I just need the ability to choose which folders to back up and where, with automatic scheduling in the background.