Setting up Time Machine backup on a Mac with a Synology NAS
To set up Time Machine backup on your Mac with a Synology NAS, follow these steps:
Step 1: Check compatibility
Make sure that your Mac and Synology NAS are compatible with Time Machine. You can check compatibility on Apple's website and in the Synology NAS product specifications.
Step 2: Connect the NAS to your network
Connect the Synology NAS to your network using an Ethernet cable. Ensure that both your Mac and the Synology NAS are connected to the same network.
Step 3: Enable Time Machine support on the NAS
- Open the DiskStation Manager (DSM) web interface for your Synology NAS. Enter the NAS IP address in your web browser.
- Go to "Control Panel" and select "File Services."
- Under the "File Services" tab, enable "Enable Mac file service" and "Enable Bonjour Time Machine broadcast."
- Save the settings.
Step 4: Set up Time Machine on your Mac
- On your Mac, go to "System Preferences" and select "Time Machine."
- Click on the "Select Backup Disk" button.
- You should see your Synology NAS listed as an available disk. Select it and click "Use Disk."
- Enter your NAS username and password when prompted.
- You can choose to encrypt your backups by ticking the checkbox for "Encrypt backups."
- Click "Set Up" to start the backup process.
Step 5: Start the initial backup
Once the setup is complete, Time Machine will start the initial backup of your Mac to the Synology NAS. This process may take some time depending on the size of your data and the speed of your network connection.
Note: It is recommended to connect your Mac to the network via Ethernet for the initial backup to ensure faster data transfer.
After the initial backup, Time Machine will automatically back up your Mac to the Synology NAS at regular intervals based on your preferences. You can customize the backup frequency and other settings in the Time Machine preferences on your Mac.
