Time Machine over AirPort to Time Capsule... maybe a solution

Like a lot of people on this forum, apparently, I have been suffering from the inability to make reliable Time Machine backups to a Time Capsule over AirPort. Here's what I did to solve the situation.
Here's my network setup:
I have an ADSL wireless box with b/g network connected over ethernet to a 1-TB Time Capsule which has a 5 GHz 'n' network. Using 5 GHz 'n' network where I am means no interference. All equipment that is not capable of 'n' is on the wireless box, 'n' equipment (basically, only my MacBook Pro) gets on the Time Capsule. It doesn't make internet faster, but sure makes the Time Capsule accessible. Both networks are hidden and secured with WEP (b/g) or WPA2 (n).
(the Time Capsule is double-NATted, unfortunately, to cut down on network chatter in the system log)
After upgrading to 10.5.6, I think I haven't been able to make a reliable Time Machine backup over AirPort. It may have been well before that (possibly with the AirPort Extreme update) but I don't remember. Most of the time, before the wireless box arrived, I have been making far-too-irregular backups over ethernet to the Time Capsule.
Anyway, I had been trying to get Time Machine to work over AirPort to the backup on the Time Capsule. I had made the original backup over ethernet (all 500 GB worth over a weekend). For the incremental backups, though, I would prefer AirPort because keeping a cable attached really is a pain. Of course, it didn't work right away.
What I couldn't figure out was why. Time Machine mounted the sparsebundle volume on the Time Capsule, but after that it seemed to do nothing with it. I left it for half a day and found little by way of relevant network activity. I tried the following to no avail:
* disabled Little Snitch (outgoing firewall) and the OS X firewall (incoming firewall)
* disabled security on the network
* disabled and re-enable Time Machine
* changed the name of the sparsebundle volume (that was dumb!)
* trash Time Machine preferences and re-select the backup disk
* reboot, reboot, reboot
Whatever I did, it sucked. Connecting over ethernet was excellent, and incremental backups went really quick, but AirPort just didn't fly. It would have been worse if it were slow; chances are then it'd be a hardware problem. But nothing was going over AirPort with Time Machine.
In amongst the surfing, I found somewhere how to downgrade the firmware on the Time Capsule. Worth a try since nothing was working. I opened up the AirPort Utility and checked, but it would only give me 7.3.2 (AirPort Utility 5.3.2). I searched and found the AirPort 5.3.1 software, and using Pacifist extracted the AirPort Utility application. That would let me 'downgrade' the Time Capsule firmware to 7.3.1 (and 7.3). It downloaded the 7.3.1 for me and put it on the Time Capsule without problems.
I then made a test run with Time Machine over ethernet, that was fine. The I tried over AirPort - and hey presto! it worked! I re-enabled my network setup (firewalls, security) and it's still working fine.
So, if your Time Capsule is on 7.3.2 firmware and Time Machine over AirPort *****, try downgrading to 7.3.1. The AirPort 5.3.1 software, which can download and install the 7.3.1 software (5.3.2 doesn't) can be found here:
http://support.apple.com/downloads/TimeCapsule_and_AirPort_Base_Station__802_11n__Firmware_7_31
Note: you need Pacifist to extract the AirPort Utility application;
do not install the software over your existing AirPort software

This may be tough because TM isn't supported over wi-fi unless you're using a Time Capsule. There are a couple of resources available to you and I'd also recommend posting in the Snow Leopard forum because TM is part of OS X the OS X forum would be the right venue. The first thing is I'm guessing you are using a router, if so make sure the firmware on it is up-to-date. You will need to refer to the router's manual. You also should do the same with the modem too. Some written resources are:
Time Machine FAQs
Time Machine Troubleshooting
Pondini Time Machine Tips
That's about all I can help you out with.
Good luck!

Similar Messages

How can I resolve OSStatus Error 13 on Time Machine when connecting to Time Capsule on Lion?

This is a semi-rhetorical question: I have now resolved this for my own setup, However, there was very little information on this error in the fora, so I thought I would post my experience with getting a Time Capsule (2TB, 3rd edition) to work on OS X Lion after the AFP/NAS debacle.
Background
My third party LaCie Big Disk Network* NAS died when Lion came out.
I could access neither Time Machine nor the drive through Finder.
The excellent thread on "Lion: Connecting to legacy (pre-Lion) AFP services - and Mac OS X (server)" (https://discussions.apple.com/thread/3258472?start=0&tstart=0) allowed me to access the drive via Finder to save my files but, of course, Time Machine was still broken. That guide showed you how to lift security restrictions on AFP shares.
For reasons explained below [disclaimer: rant follows] I decided to ditch the LaCie and purchased a Time Capsule.
The Problem
Time Capsule connected via DSL to the net and set up a wifi network with a green light.
The "Data" mount for Time Machine was visible in Time Machine, but trying to access it showed the following error:
The operation couldn’t be completed. (OSStatus error 13)
Trying to open the share in Finder using the appropriate credentials showed:
The operation cannot be completed because the original item for "Data" can't be found
Things that didn't work
Turning lots of things on and off
Resetting the DSL modem, the router (Time Capsule), the computer
Repairing permissions
What DID work
Undoing the modifications made during the process of mounting the old LaCie NAS
To do this, open Terminal and enter:
sudo -s
chmod o+w /Library/Preferences
cd /Library/Preferences/
rm com.apple.AppleShareClient.plist*
(from https://discussions.apple.com/thread/3258472?start=0&tstart=0)
Then restart your computer.
This worked for me. I don't UNDERSTAND any of why this did or didn't affect the computer, so please don't ask me to explain how it worked or what else to try. I thought I would just put this out there for knowledge.
* LaCie have really got my goat. Unlike other manufacturers who seem to be trying to provide support for their drives (Western Digital MyBook), LaCie have stated outright that they will not be providing any updates for their Big Disk Network. This is a hard drive they describe as a "Professional NAS", though I can't think of many professions where £200 backups need to be replaced every two years to keep abreast of security updates. In their defence, the drive is no longer manufactured… but, IMHO, I don't see that as sufficient reason to abandon all support or updates immediately. Boo! On the upside, loving my shiny new refurb Time Capsule.

Our true genius died a little while ago.
But up to Mountain Lion he has tones of info ..
http://pondini.org/TM/Troubleshooting.html
Try some of the section C solutions.
It is more than likely network.
BUT do the following.
1. Install the widget A1
2. Reset TM, A4
3. Verify the backup, A5
4. Reboot the whole network and restart it in order.. modem.. TC.. MB Air.
No luck to this point.
Tell us exactly what OS you have.
The worst possible is Mavericks. If you are trying to connect to old backups after an upgrade it is hopeless.
I recommend you start over.
Simply wipe the TC and start afresh.
Manually mount the TC disk in Mavericks so you are sure it is working. Tell us if you run into trouble.
Most important.. in wireless network preferences are you running ipv6 in link-local mode.

I have "lost" the time machine disk on my time capsule. How can I get it back?

I went to restore a Word document from January 2010. When I went into Time Machine to restore it, I found that the current backups only go back to May 2013. I've had the Time Capsule at least a couple of years longer than that. I tried going into Time Machine to select disk, and ended up deleting the existing disk and being offered a new one.
However, I know that the old backups (from May 2013 onwards, anyway) are still there. How can I reconnect to them via Time Machine?

It was the alt key that did it
Interesting, since it is the control key that works on my Mac....not option or alt.
Unfortunately, if you cannot select the disk in Time Machine Preferences as a Time Machine backup destination, you will have to go with what you have.
If it were me, I would probably erase the Time Capsule disk and simply start over again with a new backup set.

Time Machine set up on Time Capsule with data already on it

I've had a Time Capsule for a while, using it with my Powerbook G4 running OS 10.4. I put a lot of data on it including my entire iTunes library. I just got a new MacBook Pro with OS 10.5. Now I want to set up Time Machine. Can I do this on a Time Capsule with data already on it? I haven't given it a try because I don't have the data on the TC backed up (I know I need to fix that). TM won't require me to erase the volume first will it?

I discussed this issue with Apple Care at one point in the past when I was considering doing something similar to you. They informed me that Apple does NOT recommend or support using Time Machine over a network (ethernet) connection. They said Time Machine was not designed for it.
Hope this helps

Time machine back up on time capsule never stop

time machine back up on time capsule never stop.

You need to do a bit of troubleshooting.. and it isn't an easy one to solve.
TM could be stuck on a corrupted file..
It could be slow due to network issues.. wireless is terrible.. use ethernet if at all possible.
Is there an error message??
Look at Pondini.. http://pondini.org/TM/Troubleshooting.html
You need to load the widget A1.
Verify both the source and backup sparsebundle. A5
Look at some of the reasons he gives for over long backups.
Look at section D.
I would also need to have more info. Did this just start when you upgraded the TC firmware that was recently released.. if so expect issues.
Are you running Mountain Lion.. expect issues??
To help further we need more info.

Can I use time machine through airport express and an external hard drive?

I want to be able to use time machine remotely. I own a WD 1TB passport external hard drive. If I connect it to an airport express, will it backup my macbook pro?

Not sure what you mean by "remotely". Remotely on your network, or remotely over the Internet?
In either case, the AirPort Express does not support a hard drive. You would need an AirPort Extreme for that.
Trying to use Time Machine over the Internet is incredibly slow and unreliable. Remember, you are uploading. Upload speeds are often 10 times slower than download speeds with most Internet Service Providers.

How can I copy a time machine backup from one Time Capsule to another ?

How can I copy a time machine backup from one Time Capsule to another ? I bought a 1 Tb Time Capsule to replace my 512Mb Time Capsule. Now, I like to copy my time machine backup from the old Time Capsule to the new one so I can keep using my backup.

from this support article:
(click on image to enlarge)

I am trying to delete a Time Machine backup from a Time Capsule.

I am trying to delete a Time Machine backup from a Time Capsule. The file is about 400GB and my MacBook has been trying to delete it for 5h now. It still says "deleting" but has not given me a "time remaining" yet. Any idea of what I could do????

You should not attempt to delete backups using the Finder. The result can be a corrupted backup.
I recommend you let it complete, no matter how long it takes. That could be days, if your TC is connected via wireless.
It is not necessary to delete backups, since Time Machine will delete old backups some time after they have been deleted from your source volume. For more information read Apple Support Communities contributor Pondini's explanation here: Should I delete old backups? If so, How?

Time machine over a network volume

So since Snow Leopard (and I think Leopard), when you use Time machine to back up over a network share (for example, a USB drive attached to a mini server), the OSX creates a sparsebundle image where all time machine files are stored.
In Lion, If I encrypt my hard drive, and I keep on backing up using time machine over this network share.. will the sparsebundle image be encrypted or not?

I don't see much difference between using a sparsebundle image or an encrypted sparsebundle image.
I've sent this feedback to Apple see if they enable this in subsequent updates.

Time Machine over the Network: Terribly Slow

Hello,
I've been using Time Machine for over 3 years now with no issues over the network; the destination being a 2TB external Seagate connected to another iMac connected through gigabit ethernet. Everything has been working flawlessly: Every hour Time Machine would MOUNT the sparseimage it created on the disk, BACKUP the data and UNMOUNT the disk image when finished.
Until I upgraded to Lion. The above process is still working per se, however it is PAINFULLY slow! A 50MB backup can take up to AN HOUR! Searching around on the net, advised that there could be an issue with Spotlight as well, however this is not the case for me, since Spotlight finished a new index in under 30 mins. Followed every tutorial I could find on the issue, to no avail..
I then upgraded to Mountain Lion with the hope that the issue will clear itself. Cleared my old backups, resetted Time Machine by erasing its .plist file, restarted my iMac just to make sure and connected Time Machine to the network share anew, creating a "sharing only" account on the host iMac, i.e. the one that has the external HD connected through USB. Still no luck.
I painfully realize that I still have the same issue. While backing up, network traffic is under 100KB, and activity monitor does not show any backupd or mds or any similar processes taking anything over 3% of CPU time.
What could be wrong?

Hello again,
Tries on the other iMac (also running 10.8.2) and things are exactly the same: Image creation takes almost half an hour, and copying crawls at under 1MB/min. While time machine image is mounted and Time Machine is "backing up", accessing ANY disk on the host Mac is VERY slow. Seems like something hogs up appleshare when Time Machine is in use. Mind you, there is insignificant network traffic as seen by Activity Monitor, as well as insignificant CPU usage while backing up.
Stopping backup and using tmutil to set the Time Machine destination to the mounted image as mounted by Finder, solves the issue again, revving up Time Machine throughput to over 20MB/sec! There is also no issues acessing the other Mac as well, under this scenario.
Up to this point, the only way I have managed to use Time Machine over a networked external HD is through the NAS server. Both configurations where I am using a Mac running 10.8.2 as a server of the external disk have failed with very low throughput while backing up. Something must be wrong in 10.8.2's afp when Time Machine is mounting the image by itself.
I may need to remind you that I have been successfully backing up to the external HD for 4 years now; something broke a few months after the client iMac was upgraded to Lion and at the time when the host iMac was upgraded to Mountain Lion. Will try to locate a Mac running some later OS X version to do some more testing.
Also reminding that I have used two distinctive iMacs and two external HD drives for my tests so far. The client iMac has remained the same, however 10.8.2 has been reinstalled on it a couple of times. Have also used an afp-enabled NAS server which worked fine with Time Machine.

I'm trying to install Time Machine and Airport Update V 1.0 but installer

keeps returning error message: You cannot install Time Machine and AirPort Updates on this volume. This update requires Mac OS X 10.5.2 or newer.
I am in fact running 10.5.6. Would the fact that this update was dated in March of 2008 have anything to do with it? I think it's the latest update for TM and Airport.
Any suggestions?

Kappy, how'd you get so smart. On further investigation I discovered that I had already downloaded and installed that update. I will follow your advice in the future, not risking showing off as a fool.

When I try to install Time Machine update I get this message: You cannot install Time Machine and AirPort Updates on this volume. This update requires Mac OS X 10.5.2 or newer. I have OS X 10.5.8.

When I try to install Time Machine update I get this message: “You cannot install Time Machine and AirPort Updates on this volume. This update requires Mac OS X 10.5.2 or newer.” I have OS X 10.5.8.

It's bundled with 10.5.3 and newer and can't be installed separately on those OSes.
(59310)

Time machine was not working. I bought a new time machine and migrated time machine files to new time capsule; not recognized by yosemite

Time machine was not working after yosemite upgrade on new and old MacBooks in my house. I bought a new time machine and migrated time machine files to new time capsule. I changed the names of the older sparse bundles to the default values. Yosemite still does not recognize them.

I presume the bought a time machine means a time capsule.
How did you migrate the Time Machine files?
From where? A Time Capsule or external drive?
It is difficult to get TM working with Yosemite.. since it doesn't work after the upgrade on the old TM backup.. it will not work on the migrated files either.
You simply start a new backup and store the old backups for a few months until you are ready to dump them.
The instructions for inheriting old backups is B5 and B6 here.
http://pondini.org/TM/Troubleshooting.html
However it is just unlikely to work.. TM in Yosemite is very different. Broken even.
I also strongly recommend people to use Carbon Copy Cloner or some other 3rd party backup until Apple get the bugs fixed. And after several months.. they are still rampant.

Time Machine doesn't list Time Capsule as backup option

I'm trying to restart Time Machine, but Time Machine doesn't show Time Capsule as a backup option even though I'm connected to it wirelessly on our network. I was successfully backing up to my Time Capsule until I changed its name. Any ideas on how to fix this.
Thanks

Sounds like the drive is dead.
Take it to your local Apple Store or Authorized Repair location.

Recent Time Machine and Airport Leopard update causes Kernel panic

I had 15 iMac's in a classroom that were all updated to the new Leopard update for Time Machine and Airport. When they restarted, they all gave a kernel panic error. Successive restarts continue with the screen starting with the kernel panic error message and asking for a shutdown.
I am extremely sure that it had to be those updates because they were all fine before that. I doubt 30 pieces of RAM could have gone kaput all at once. Since we have a dual boot setup, if I press the alt key when I restart, I can boot into the Windows side without any problems.
If somebody has had a similar problem and found a way to do something about the kernel error, please let me know. Thanks in advance. I did the usual zapping RAM and stuff. It didn't help.

More information - from the crash report:
Tue Mar 25 11:23:14 2008
panic(cpu 6 caller 0x001A8C8A): Kernel trap at 0x004095b9, type 14=page fault, registers:
CR0: 0x8001003b, CR2: 0x00000018, CR3: 0x00d7b000, CR4: 0x00000660
EAX: 0x00000000, EBX: 0x0bb2c200, ECX: 0x00000000, EDX: 0x0c0915a0
CR2: 0x00000018, EBP: 0x82ffbcc8, ESI: 0x0c09de00, EDI: 0x0c09bfa0
EFL: 0x00010206, EIP: 0x004095b9, CS: 0x00000008, DS: 0x00000010
Error code: 0x00000000
Backtrace, Format - Frame : Return Address (4 potential args on stack)
0x82ffbad8 : 0x12b0f7 (0x4581f4 0x82ffbb0c 0x133230 0x0)
0x82ffbb28 : 0x1a8c8a (0x461720 0x4095b9 0xe 0x460ed0)
0x82ffbc08 : 0x19ece5 (0x82ffbc20 0x1 0x82ffbcc8 0x4095b9)
0x82ffbc18 : 0x4095b9 (0xe 0x10048 0xbbb0010 0x3e0010)
0x82ffbcc8 : 0x40960c (0xc09de00 0xbbdf900 0x1 0xc09de00)
0x82ffbce8 : 0x40d648 (0xc09de00 0xc09dd00 0x0 0x3ea76c)
0x82ffbd38 : 0x40d7fb (0xc09dd00 0x4 0x0 0xb6dde00)
0x82ffbd58 : 0x84047d77 (0xc09dd00 0xc09dd00 0xbda3760 0x11a1d4)
0x82ffbdc8 : 0x8404bf21 (0xbb2c200 0x82ffbdfc 0x82ffbdf8 0xbb2c200)
0x82ffbe08 : 0x8404c236 (0xbb2c200 0x0 0x0 0xbb2c200)
0x82ffbe28 : 0x8404c2ba (0xbb2c200 0x840555a0 0x0 0x0)
0x82ffbe48 : 0x40fd82 (0xbb2c200 0xbbdf900 0x1 0x3ea740)
0x82ffbea8 : 0x411c17 (0xbbdf900 0xbb2c200 0xbbead40 0xbb46300)
0x82ffbf28 : 0x41147b (0xbbdf900 0xbbb66c0 0x0 0xffffffff)
0x82ffbf78 : 0x4100f7 (0xbbdf900 0x0 0x82ffbfac 0x1)
0x82ffbfc8 : 0x19eadc (0xbbddb40 0x0 0x1a20b5 0xb9445d0)
Backtrace terminated-invalid frame pointer 0
Kernel loadable modules in backtrace (with dependencies):
com.faronics.driver.DFXDriver(4.0.1f23)@0x84046000->0x8405afff
dependency: com.apple.iokit.IOUSBFamily(3.0.8)@0x83483000
dependency: com.apple.iokit.IOStorageFamily(1.5.2)@0x8375f000
BSD process name corresponding to current thread: kernel_task
Mac OS version:
9C7010
Kernel version:
Darwin Kernel Version 9.2.2: Tue Mar 4 21:17:34 PST 2008; root:xnu-1228.4.31~1/RELEASE_I386
System model name: MacPro2,1 (Mac-F4208DA9)

Time Machine over AirPort to Time Capsule... maybe a solution

Similar Messages

Maybe you are looking for