Slow tranfer rates for Time Machine Backup

I have a 2012 Macbook Air, a Netgear N600 (WNDR3400v2) wireless router, and a WD My Book Live 2 TB NAS Hard Drive (does not have a usb port).  I tried doing the setup for the new backup (32GB) of info over Wifi N (5GHz) and it said it would take 50 hours which seemed extremeley high.  Because the NAS only has an ethernet port, I purchased a Thunderbolt to Ethernet port and tried connecting the 2 with a CAT 6 cable.  The Air would not recognize the NAS.  I then plugged the NAS into the Netgear wireless router, and the the Macbook Air into the wireless router and it came up that the transfer rate would take 13 hours.  I thought that was high but managable, so I went that route.
It's been 26 hours, it's transfered 24GB of the 32GB and it still shows 9 more hours to go.  I am doing something wrong, or is there a better way of transferring the information? Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks,
Tony

Wireless data transmission will always take longer than being directly connected. So with your current setup, I'd do: NAS to Router by Ethernet, Computer to Router by Ethernet and also turn off the WiFi on the Computer.
If I remember network accessible storage solutions, they're great for Drag 'N Drop file transferring, but are not so great when using for Time Machine. I'd totally recommend a Time Machine for wireless backup instead of the NAS.

Similar Messages

  • I have a lion server set up to host storage for time machine backups. Is there a limit to how many different computers can back up to the single server to back up. I am only backing up the users folders . The backup drive is an external Drobo with 6 TB.

    I have a lion server set up to host storage for time machine backups. Is there a limit to how many different computers can back up to the single server to back up. I am only backing up the users folders . The backup drive is an external Drobo with 6 TB. Right now it seems to back up my users all day long. I set their time machine interval to every 5 hours but it still runs all day long and is very slow. Server is on a new Mac Server mini.

    AFAIK, there is no user limit.. it is simply a question of the network load. AFP is a fairly clean protocol.. but TM is not.. it does a lot of testing of the backup.. infact your setting of 5hour gap could well make it worse.
    I would sort out the clients that are doing 100GB backups to a different backup location.. no matter how fast your network.. 100GB takes time to backup.. and over wireless forever.. it will never end.
    I guess some of these clients are on wireless?? I would separate the TM of wireless to those that are wired. No more than 4 or 5 wireless clients to a target device. Otherwise you are saturating your network with backup data. And use 5ghz.. so close by.. it is much faster than 2.4ghz and you will get much better transfer rates.

  • I am trying to install Mavericks on my McbookAir, but it won't install, saying that my hd is used for time machine backups. I have an external HD connected to my mbAir that I'm using for time machine.

    2012 Macbk air, with OSX 10.8.5. See my question above. Mavericks won't install on my Air's HD, says that both the HD - AND - the external HD (which has a different name from the laptop HD) are used for time machine backups. I've deleted my time machine plists, restarted, repaired permissions, turned time machine off, repeatedly selected the external drive in time machine preferences. HELP. (Install went perfectly on my desktop Mac, which also has an external HD for time machine).

    I need to add that the only place I have the "Backups.backupdb" folder is on my backup external disk, and it's not on my HD    :-(    . If it were, I'd delete it!

  • Can you use the same external hard drive for Time Machine backups and as an additional storage drive?

    I have an external HD that I've been using exclusively for Time Machine backups. I need to clear space on my hard drive, so I was thinking to move music & photos to an external drive.  Wondering if I can use the same one I have (which I'll aslo keep using for Time Machine) or if I need to get another drive. 

    Hi Jossydtaylor,
    Time Machine can use either an entire external disk or a partition of that disk:
    OS X Mountain Lion: Disks you can use with Time Machine
    http://support.apple.com/kb/PH11171
    You can use Time Machine with a Time Capsule, and with USB, FireWire, and Thunderbolt disks. The backup disk can be directly connected to your computer or be on a network. If the backup disk has been divided into partitions, you can use one of the partitions.
    If the disk is partitioned using the Master Boot Record (MBR) partition type, some partitions may not be available for use with Time Machine. The GUID Partition Table (GPT) partition type is recommended.
    For more info on partitioning, see this article:
    Disk Utility 12.x: Partition a disk
    http://support.apple.com/kb/PH5845
    Cheers!
    - Ari

  • Can two macs use same disk for Time Machine backup with Airport Extreme?

    Hi
    I use a Western Digital disk as a wireless Time Machine backup connected to the USB port on my Airport Extreme and it works great. My question is: can my girlfriend use that same disk for Time Machine backup from HER computer too? (I don't mind formatting the disk if needed.)
    If she can't, is it then possible to connect a USB hub and have two disks hooked up to the Airport Extreme?
    Thanks for helping. I am constantly in awe of all the help people like you give people like me. Thanks!!!
    Jakob

    I've gone through the manual setup and the assisted setup and can't seem to get my MacBook to use the Time Machine. Any thoughts or help would be greatly appreciated.
    Well, as the Jolly Giant points out....+this type of configuration is not supported by Apple+, so it's difficult, if not impossible, to provide a fix for something that Apple says that you cannot do. Reference these Apple Support documents regarding this topic:
    http://support.apple.com/kb/HT2038
    http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?path=Mac/10.6/en/15139.html
    Your situation is not unlike other users who try this and find that one computer may backup...(usually for a limited time before corruption issues start to creep in)...but another computer cannot backup. Count me as one of those users who thought that because things seemed to work that I had somehow "beat the system".
    I started getting the corruption error messages after 4-5 weeks of successful backups, so I figured that it did not make sense to continue to try to get a second computer to backup (yes, I too could not setup a second Mac to backup).
    Sorry, I could not get a second machine to backup, so can't tell you how to accomplish that goal. If you want to continue to try backing up this way, you might want to also think about a second backup strategy...just in case backups become corrupted on the WD drive.
    Maybe if Apple says you cannot do this, they just may be right?
    Message was edited by: Bob Timmons

  • Is it possible to use more than one external hard drive for Time Machine backups?

    I want to use two hard drives for Time Machine backups.
    Bigger one keep at home and be sure it is safe.
    Second one (very small pocket size) keep with me for travels.
    I want to backup to both drives to be sure I can restore everywhere and to be sure if something bad happened with my small travel disk I can restore from home backup.
    Is there any problem with listed schema? Is it normal for Time Machine to handle backups for different drivers and keep everything consistent and smooth?

    I really need some help!  I have been using an Iomega NAS 1TB HD for the past year.  And I received an error message.  I believe I have ran out of memory on this drive.
    Then recently in the last couple of months I got a ReadyNAS Duo 2TB with 2TB RAID.  Should I switch my back ups to this one and delete the other back up file or keep the old back up image file on the Iomega?
    Can I transfer the old image back up to this new ReadyNAS? How do I do this?
    I appreciate any help.

  • Can I select certain drives only for Time Machine backup?

    I have several internal drives and several external drives connected to my MacPro desktop computer.  If I backup everything in all of the drives using Time Machine, the capacity on my designated external drive for Time Machine backup will soon be filled.  Is there any way to selectively backup via Time Machine from  only designated drives, not all drives connected (internally or externally) to my computer?  Is so, how can that be done?  I assume that Time Machine will start deleting data when its capacity is exceeded.  If that is so, and I remove the designated Time Machine drive at that point and replace it with a new drive, will the removed drive thereafter be able to be reinserted and the prior material read and transferred as needed? Is there any way to utilized Time Machine after I insert the replacement drive to only archive new material saved after the switch of drives?

    Yes, mount the drive by opening a new Finder window and clicking on your base station's name in the left column that says 'Shared'. Then double click on the drive name to mount it on your desktop. From there, open Time Machine prefs and select that mounted drive as your backup disk. Time machine will then back up to it. Theoretically.
    If you want that disk to automatically mount every time you login to your computer, go to Sys Prefs Panel and select 'Accounts'. Then click 'Startup Items'. From there, drag the mounted drive's icon from the desktop in to that startup items list. It will then auto-mount from there forward.
    I have had many problems backing up this way with Time Machine. It will, 9 times out of 10, fail over a wireless backup with an Airport Extreme Gigabit base station and a 1TB Western Digital My Book. Nothing seems to fix, so I have given up. When TM is finally fixed - I will use it. Until then, it's junk software as far as I'm concerned.
    But - best of luck. The instructions above are how it's 'supposed' to work..

  • Use TC 2TB for Time Machine Backup and Storage simultaneously?

    Hi
    I am planning to buy a TC 2TB.
    I would like to know if the TC can be used as a Time Machine backup device and for storage simultaneously?
    for example:
    Can I use 1TB for Time Machine backups and 1TB for storage.
    Please let me know if this is possible?
    Thank you

    I tried for ages to seek a relatively easy way to do this.. i.e. partition it, it's a huge pain! You can, but i'm pretty savvy and got bored and confused! What I did do was switch the TM back-ups to manual so they don't end up filling the disk. Trust me it's the easiest and best option!

  • How do I connect Airport Extreme and Time Capsule to my new iMac so that AE is used for network and TC only used for Time Machine backup?

    I didn't realize that Time Capsule will only support the print function of a wireless multifunction printer.  So I want to use Extreme for my network to have full use of my printer and use TC as the Time machine backup only.  How to I make the connections?

    Thanks for your response and this is getting complicated but I just purchased a new iMac as well as the Airport TC.  I've had the Airport Extreme for a year or so.  The Airport Extreme worked perfectly with my old iMac wirelessly and I had all functions of my printer with no problems.  I was expecting the same with the TC.  But the instruction that came with TC say to connect the printer to the TC via USB...which I did.  And the print function worked perfectly but nothing else.  In researching I discovered that when wired that way the TC only supports the print function...not scan or fax or anything else.  I tried going wireless since my AE worked perfectly via wireless but I got no printer functions at all that way.  But I'm wondering also if I tried that during a time I was having other issues...I had to delete and re-add my printer which solved some other problems.  I may try that again...and see if I can get all print functions with just the TC connected
    As far as connecting both your AirPort Extreme and Time Capsule on your network, we're not clear on exactly how you want to do this.  Will the AirPort Extreme connect to your modem using an Ethernet cable and the Time Capsule connect to the AirPort Extreme using an Ethernet cable?.......or......do you want the Time Capsule to connect to the network using wireless?
    Well... first of all I would like not to have to use the AE at all...I would prefer using just my TC for network, all print functions and Time Machine backup if that's possible. My printer will not accept Ethernet connections (Canon MX512).
    After failing at getting this to work, I decided I would try to use my AE for net and print functions and just use my TC for Time Machine backup.  I tried several different connection configurations with no success until finally I connected cable modem to my AE via Ethernet and went wireless with the AE and printer. but connected the AE to the TC via Ethernet and amazingly everything worked like a charm (for a while) and I was patting myself on the back for being so smart.  But now I find that the connection only lasts for a short time.  If I leave it for a while the TC goes invisible...or at least I see a message saying the Ethernet is unplugged...but it is not... and I lose internet connection even though I have a green light on my AE. So now I'm at a loss. I don't know why I keep losing network signal and why my system thinks the Ethernet is unplugged.
    So... after all this...I figured I wasn't so smart after all and I must have things wired incorrectly.
    So... it sounds like you are saying I should go back and try again to get my new TC to work as I want it to via wireless instead of connecting via USB...is that correct?  Could you tell me exactly how I should wire my equipment from cable modem to AE and/or TC to achieve net capability, full functions of my printer and Time Machine backup...
    Thanks...

  • Can I partition a hard drive so that one partition is for windows files and the other is for time machine backups?

    I have a 1TB WD passport that currently contains windows files e.g photos, documents, etc. Can I partition it so that one partition contains these files and the other partition is used for time machine backups? Also, how do I change the partition system on the hard drive so that it uses the GUID partition system?
    Thanks in advance.

    Yes, you can, though you need to format and partition the drive from the scratch.
    1) back up your PC data on other drive.
    2) partitioning your drive into 2 partitions with Disk Utility.
    3) format one partition by Mac OS extended (journaling) for Time Machine, the other by exFAT for PC data.
    4) restore PC data on exFAT partitioned drive.

  • HT201250 How do I find out what portable drive was the drive I used for Time Machine Backup?

    Hi, I have 10.7.4 and need to figure out what drive I was using for Time Machine Backup.  I have three drives and I have connected each of them to my macbook pro, but I get an error, "Time Machine Error, The backup disk is not available" when I hit the time machine icon on the top of the screen and the "backup delayed" prompt.  If I try Back up Now I get message, "Time Machine could not complete the backup.  Back up disk is not available."  I am trying to figure out what the time machine back up would actually look like as a file on the drives but I don't see a folder/file name Time Machine.  If I enter Time Machine I can see in the far right column, in purple, the last back up date (Sept. 12, 2012), but when I hit it nothing happens.  In the Time Machine preference box the select disk has, in red and to the right, "Delayed" with an "i" within a circle, and the option indicates, "Next backup: when disk is connected."
    I know I have a years worth of backups on one of the three drives, but I can't figure out how the heck to find them or how to determine what was the last drive I used for the backups within Time Machine.  Help please.

    Hi, I have 10.7.4 and need to figure out what drive I was using for Time Machine Backup.  I have three drives and I have connected each of them to my macbook pro, but I get an error, "Time Machine Error, The backup disk is not available" when I hit the time machine icon on the top of the screen and the "backup delayed" prompt.  If I try Back up Now I get message, "Time Machine could not complete the backup.  Back up disk is not available."  I am trying to figure out what the time machine back up would actually look like as a file on the drives but I don't see a folder/file name Time Machine.  If I enter Time Machine I can see in the far right column, in purple, the last back up date (Sept. 12, 2012), but when I hit it nothing happens.  In the Time Machine preference box the select disk has, in red and to the right, "Delayed" with an "i" within a circle, and the option indicates, "Next backup: when disk is connected."
    I know I have a years worth of backups on one of the three drives, but I can't figure out how the heck to find them or how to determine what was the last drive I used for the backups within Time Machine.  Help please.

  • HT4848 Is it possible to partition an external hard drive that is already being used for Time Machine backups without it being erased?

    I'm want to use my current external hard drive, which I use for Time Machine Backup, as a recovery disk for Mac OS X Mountain Lion 10.8.2. From what I have read, the recovery disk assistant will erase all data on the external drive unless it is partitioned. Can I partition my current backup drive without erasing it, even though it is already being used for Time Machine?

    It's very simple to test.  Turn off your computer.  Have your time machine backup plugged in.  Hold option and turn it on, keeping option held.  Do you see your time machine drive?  If so, select it and press enter. You'll end up in recovery.  If it works, there you go.  Then just click the apple and restart to get back to your regular desktop.  Then you'll know for when you're ready to do the deed.
    Edit...
    I'm not sure if time machine will think it's an entirely different computer, though, when a hard drive changed, making an actual restore not doable.  Either way, you could still reinstall mt lion fresh and then just migrate after, skipping the need for SL.

  • Is it possible to use an external hard drive for time machine backup and also as a regular hard drive?

    Is it possible to use an external hard drive for time machine backup and also as a regular hard drive?

    I am using an external drive in the exact way that you described. You just keep it plugged in to the computer when you want to access the movies and files. In order to put files on it, just go to finder open up the drive under devices and drag and drop files onto the drive. It is just like using a usb drive with a terabyte of space.

  • Using external hard drives for Time Machine backups

    I would like to let everyone know about an important issue regarding what type of media to use, or better said not to use for Time Machine backups.
    I tried to use a RAID 0 array disks ( FIY: RAID is a storage technology that combines multiple disk drive components into a logical unit for the purposes of data redundancy and performance improvement.), but after a few minutes the backup suddenly stopped giving me a message of failing to write to the disk.
    I tried to back up several more times, but the result was the same.  I called Apple Customer Support, they said there was nohing wrong using a RAID 0 array disk combination.
    I checked the RAID disks with disk utility, the disks were okay, but it did not solve the problem.
    I reformatted the RAID disks, but that did no help either.
    Then I used a different disk not part of any RAID array, and the Time Machine backup was able to successfull finish he task.
    I called Apple to tell them about this issue, and they finall confirmed I was right:
    Conclusion: backing up to a RAID 0 array disks using Time Machine does not work 

    Is there anything else on the drive?  If not, just erase it with Disk Utility.
    If there is, have you emptied the trash?  That will take a very long time, and may present problems wtih locked files, permissions, etc.  If so, see #E6 in Time Machine - Troubleshooting.

  • Lion won't install can't select hard drive that is used for time machine backups

    I installed Lion, agreed to the eula but both drives are greyed out. My Macintosh HD - ( this dirve is used for time machine backups) and my external drive (this drive does not use the GUID Partition Table scheme...). Though I don't use time machine, I tried turning it on and selecting the external drive with no luck. I'm stuck - any ideas?

    "Backups.backupdb" if the file in Time Machine.  As the discussion says, you have to find that file and trash it.  Try spotlight to locate it.  If that does not work, down load OmniDiskSweeper from the Internet (free) and go through an organized search to find "Backups.backupdb".  If that takes too long or is too tedious, then if you have everything backed up, erase the HDD and start from square one.
    Ciao.

Maybe you are looking for