A course about accessing your NAS using macOS and executing backup jobs using Time Machine.

COURSE OBJECTIVES

Upon completion of this course you should be able to:

1. Access the files on your NAS using macOS.
2. Use Apple’s Time Machine to backup your NAS.

PREREQUISITES

Course Prerequisites:

None

Students are expected to have a working knowledge of:

Apple macOS

OUTLINE

1. Configuring your NAS

1.1 Setting up a backup folder

1.2 Creating an account

1.3 Enabling AFP/SMB service

2. Setting Up Backups on macOS

2.1 Connecting your Apple computer to your NAS

2.2 Using Time Machine to back up a Mac to an ASUSTOR NAS

1. Configuring your NAS

1.1 Setting up a backup folder

Select [Access Control] → [Shared Folders] and click on the [Add] button under the Shared Folders tab to create a new shared folder (in our example, “TMBackup”). Follow the steps provided by the wizard to complete the folder creation process.

1.2 Creating an account

Select [Access Control] → [Local Users] and then click on the [Add] button. The Add New User wizard will now appear. Fill out the required information and follow the steps to create a new user.

1.3 Enabling AFP/SMB service

Log in to ADM and then select [Services] → [AFP].

Select the [Enable Mac file service (AFP)] checkbox and then click [Apply].

Select [Services] → [SMB].

2. Setting Up Backups on macOS

2.1 Connecting your Apple computer to your NAS

In macOS, select Go and press Connect to Server…

Please enter the IP address of your NAS in the Server Address field and press Connect

When using SMB, the address should look like this:

When using AFP, the address should look like this:

It is recommended to use SMB as AFP is being phased out in later versions of macOS.

After pressing Connect, a dialog box will pop up asking to confirm the connection.

You will be prompted to enter your username and password for your NAS. Click Connect when done.

Select a shared folder to store Time Machine backups and click OK. This guide will use a folder named TMBackup as an example.

2.2 Using Time Machine to back up a Mac to an ASUSTOR NAS

In the Apple menu found in the upper left corner, open System Settings..., select General, and then select Time Machine.

In Time Machine, click + to add a new Time Machine task.

At this point you should be able to see the shared folder set for Time Machine backups. Please select the folder and click Set Disk.

You’ll need to enter your NAS username and password. Click Connect.

You may choose to encrypt your backup. If so, you’ll need to enter a password. If you forget your password, you will not be able to recover data from your backup. Press Done.

Time Machine has been set up and will start the backing up automatically.

Apple no longer provides support for AFP servers. Starting with macOS 11.0, known as Big Sur, connecting through AFP may pose client security risks, and Apple may not feel obligated to provide support. ASUSTOR recommends use of SMB for Time Machine Backups where available.

To access your NAS from an external location using your web browser, please refer to NAS 121 Remote Access.

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