[sfdoddsy]

Hi,

I'm in the process of moving from a PC laptop to a dedicated Mac Mini server using iTunes. The music files are on an external drive, and I want to back them up to a NAS drive incrementally and automatically.

This was easy on the PC (I use Genie) but seems way too hard on the Mac. Time Machine won't let me just backup the external drive, SilverKeeper tried to reformat the NAS, others have also tried to erase everything on the NAS, or insist on backing up the whole system.

The closest has been ChronoSync, but I'm not convinced the target folder is the same as the original.

So what is best for a simple incremental backup?

[jtwrace]

I use http://www.shirt-pocket.com/SuperDuper/SuperDuperDescription.html

[mshan]

You could buy or build yourself a Windows Home Server box, install two hard drives, and then enable folder duplication for the Music folder.

Use that Music folder as your folder for music rips and WHS automatically keeps a back-up copy of that folder on the second drive.

If you rip directly to the WHS box, it seems better to hard wire it to computer you are ripping from for best performance.

You can also get the My Movies for WHS plug-in and it allows you to rip directly to the WHS box, though you have to pay for that program:  http://www.mymovies.dk/products/windows-home-server.aspx

I rip from a Windows PC hardwired via ethernet to WHS box, but stream wirelessly to my iMac upstairs.  Works really well, minimal lag when changing tracks, and shows up automatically in Finder once I have logged into server.

I have an Acer Easystore H340, which I really enjoy as a WHS box.  It has a small, audible psu fan, so I don't think I would want it near my listening area.  HP Mediasmart LX195 is often available on eBay for slightly more than $200; add a second external hard drive and enable folder duplication of music folder is another option.  It has a large case fan, so hopefully it is quiet, but again, I doubt I would want it directly in listening room.

[low.pfile]

SuperDuper works well.

[nathanm]

I like Deja Vu.  You can tell it to do whatever you want.  I also use it in conjunction with the Mac's ability to start up and shutdown at a scheduled time so I can have Deja Vu perform the backup when I'm not at home.

http://propagandaprod.com/

[jaywills]

Perhaps Carbon Copy Cloner.

http://www.bombich.com/

Good luck.  Cordially,

[nathanm]

CCC is for cloning an entire drive, not for daily incremental backup.  It is also an extremely slow process, totally unlike the speeds you are accustomed to seeing when copying files normally.  CCC is used for a clone-the-boot-drive-in-case-the-shit-hits-the-fan kind of thing.  It's essential if you're like me and don't like the idea of starting over from scratch.  It copies all those cryptic hidden files that allow a drive to boot, which regular backup software doesn't.  Just don't plan on doing anything else on your computer while its working!

[Crimson]

I use CCC for cloning and Super Duper for incremental backup.

[blackzarg]

I use CCC for cloning and Super Duper for incremental backup.

+1!

[jtwrace]

I saw the post above but am still not clear.  What does CCC do that SuperDuper! doesn't?  SD does copy a bootable backup...I'm all ears (really eyes).

[ted_b]

I saw the post above but am still not clear.  What does CCC do that SuperDuper! doesn't?  SD does copy a bootable backup...I'm all ears (really eyes).

Yeah, I guess i'd like to know more details too.  I have a Macbook SSD music server.  The few apps and OS are on the SSD and the music files (used with Pure Music and/or Amarra, all accessed via iTunes but stored sometimes outside iTunes specific folders) are on a single USB drive called, for example,  "musicdrive".  I am less concerned about my OS and Apps and very much concerned about my USB musicdrive (mainly cuz i've done so much work to tag WAV files, etc.).   All of these music files are also on my pc-based system, stored as FLAC, but I don't consider them true backups cuz of all the work involved in making them WAV/iTunes MAC functional.

My goal is to add another USB drive to my Macbook setup that would be used to copy a backup of my musicdrive then unattached and stored in my car's trunk or some other non-audio location...and I'd hook it back up every month or so to get newly changed/added/deleted files/folders (incremental).  Three questions: 
1) is this an ok strategy?
2a) what, other than another 1-1.5TB USB drive, will I need?
 b) is this where SuperDuper comes in, or Time Machine, or something like CCC?

[Audioclyde]

Ted,  I just started using Silverkeeper, a free backup from LaCie (you have to give 'em an email address) this weekend to back up my music files from 1 external HD to another that is dedicated solely for backup purposes (so I don't keep it attached/on and have to do manual backups every once in a while).  After the first backup, which of course took a few hours, Silverkeeper does an incremental backup in just a few minutes (drives are attached via FW800).

Although I'm not using it for this purpose, I believe it can also be used to create a bootable drive if one so desires.

Randy

[planet10]

I like Deja Vu.

seconded.

dave