Time Machine: Macbook can't find external network hdd

Hi,
I'm want to backup BOTH my Macbook Pro (Retina) and my Mac Mini (Late 2012) to an external hard drive (Western Digital My Passport) USB-connected to the Mac Mini.
Alas, this doesn't work. I can't figure out why. The Mac mini finds the disk with no problems and can backup to it via Time Machine. But when I open Time Machine on the Macbook Pro, it can only backup to the Mac Mini. That's the only location it finds; it can't find the external disk.
I've enabled file sharing and shared the external disk, and set it to be available for guests to read/write. I've even bought OS X Server and used the same configuration there (although it seems to sync it from the Mountain Lion config anyway). Still nothing, the macbook can't find the external disk, only the Mac mini itself.
What could be the problem? All guides I find is about backing up to the Mac Mini over wifi. I don't want the backups on the Mini, but on the external disk connected to it.
Thanks!

Nope, but I see the Mac Mini as a network volume. And from it I can access the external drive (and everything else on the Mini).
So I can only see the "first step" (the Mini) but not the second (the external drive). And from Time Machine I can't specify where to save my backups, OS X will create that automatically.

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You are welcome.
I don't think there is a need to start a new discussion unless you want to.
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Apple support article. Don't let the title bother you. Look at Additional Information, which explains what happens when a backup gets interrupted. I also am including a link for troubleshooting. C3 explains what you can try if the backup is interrupted.
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Time Machine can backup to any device that has Time Machine Extensions.. eg some NAS have this.. or another Mac. Maybe some routers with USB drives.. I have heard of Netgear Mac compatible models.. but never forget.. apple change things around with every OS release and these companies will always be playing catchup.
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The supported targets for Time Machine backups are local (direct-connected) disks, and network targets include Time Capsule, a disk hanging off the current-generation AirPort (though not earlier AirPort devices), and OS X Server systems.
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Time Machine: Macbook can't find external network hdd

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