Will Time Machine work with my networked hard drive?

I asked this question this question a couple years ago https://discussions.apple.com/message/9961900#9961900 and was wondering if there was an update as to whether Time Machine will work with a networked drive?
Will it work?
Does Apple officially support this method?
I'm using Chronosync now, and it's good, but every once in a while it'll hickup.
Thanks so much

Nothing has changed, other than the fact that we are seeing a lot more posts from users having probems who have tried this unsupported method of backups.
Apple is prety clear on this in their support documentation. They say that you cannot do this.
Results vary with users who try this anyway. Some have difficulties immediately with corruption issues, others have successful backups for a few weeks to even a few months before they have difficuties. Count me as  one who thought they had somehow beat the system, but after 4 weeks, things collapsed.
Forum expert Pondini has an appropriate saying about this issue, which I am sure I am not quoting exactly:
There are two types of users who attempt Time Machine backups to a drive attached to the USB port on the AirPort Extreme....those who have problems, and those who will have problems.

Similar Messages

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    Will Time Machine work with an external hard drive connected (via usb) to Airport Extreme?

    Sorry, but this article is about 4 years old, and was printed based on preliminary information at the time.
    The bottom line here is that Apple does not officially support Time Machine backups to a drive at the USB port of the AirPort Extreme.
    If it works for you, great.
    You might want to review the Apple Support documents below, which are far more recent than the article you reference:
    http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?path=Mac/10.6/en/15139.html
    http://support.apple.com/kb/HT2038
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    This is NOT correct. Please do not post false information on the forums.

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  • Will Time Machine back up two internal hard drives on the same computer?

    Hi,
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    Depending on the exact question asked, relating to hardware by
    model number, serial number, and build information; an answer
    could vary. ie: A few early Intel-based Macs could revert, from say
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    to Apple Support and if you have an AppleCare plan in effect
    on hardware, the fee may be waived, if not, pay the initial fee
    to discuss the matter with an Apple representative. If you have
    an Apple Store in your area, it may be worth a trip to call ahead
    & arrange to talk to a Genius; or a technical specialist may know.
    {If there is a firmware hack involved, the idea would probably not
    be followed up on, in the retail environment where there is an
    AppleCare plan on new hardware; and a clouded future in that
    specific product if it should be modified in an unusual way.}
    The usual path in hardware upgrade includes a new OS version
    it would ship with, and even before OS X, the path was clear to
    some extent. In old Mac OS, where drag & drop installs and use
    of older bits in newer systems was marginally OK, this was not
    as great an issue. Some parts would work past their due.
    However, since there are differences in the major releases of OS
    X, these become more focused given new processors, GUI units
    and other hardware changes in the computers. Since the software
    upgrade is not desired, perhaps you should consider an older yet
    refurbished computer from a supplier, without a newer OS X?
    Some offer quite good older hardware with some assurance.
    Backup computers can be handy, or slight upgrades in older
    versions over whatever you currently have in a model.
    And then when or if ready, or orphaned into a change, get a suitable
    computer with the latest OS at that time. Change is still a constant.
    Or get the recent software for newer hardware to use your current
    files with, in the new computer; and be ready for the change.
    I am unfamiliar with the full features and functionality of Time Machine;
    but do use a different backup strategy to make bootable full clones. A
    number of TM users also use a separate external drive to make a clone
    that can boot and run their computer, in addition to a TM backup. They
    can be used to do different things within limits, as you probably are aware.
    In any event...
    Good luck & happy computing!
    { edited }

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