Backup Multiple Macs
This guide shows how to utilize ChronoAgent as a cost-effective solution for backing up multiple Macs. Whether it be in a small household, or a large enterprise environment.
BACKUP BASICS
Eliminate Risk
Know that every drive will eventually fail. It may be the source drive or one of the backup drives that go. So the more backups, the less worry.
Onsite and Offsite
A lot of backups in the same location does not help if something happens to that location. So it is considered a Best Practice to keep some backups separated. The best plan is to backup onsite and then backup the onsite backup to an offsite location. The offsite could be a cloud service or another location. Cloud is usually the best choice since there are cloud services available that can fit most any scenario.
CHRONOSYNC BASICS
What is ChronoSync?
ChronoSync is a synchronization and backup app for the Mac. ChronoSync can backup to anything you can connect to a Mac.
What is ChronoAgent?
ChronoAgent is a utility that runs on a Mac separate from the ChronoSync Mac and communicates directly with ChronoSync to backup and sync files between the two Macs. The two Macs can be separated by a few feet on a LAN or hundreds of miles across the internet.
- ChronoAgent has full access to the Mac to copy files and preserve file and folder metadata.
- It makes syncs and backups faster because it scans the files on the ChronoAgent Mac while ChronoSync scans the files on its Mac, working in parallel to scan both Targets simultaneously.
- ChronoAgent gives you a better connection than using a File Sharing connection. Apple is deprecating AppleShare, and SMB File Sharing support can be problematic.
- And finally, the ChronoAgent connection is encrypted so any data copied between the two Macs is secure.
Mac Backup scenarios
There are numerous ways to tackle any backup scenario. Here are some common ways to backup multiple Macs.
- Install ChronoSync on every Mac and backup each Mac to an external drive.
- This is not very practical if you are dealing with a lot of Macs.
- Install ChronoSync on every Mac and backup each Mac to a Mac server.
- This is a much better plan.
- Install ChronoAgent on every Mac and backup each Mac to a Mac server with ChronoSync installed on it.
- This is a brilliant plan.
- Install ChronoSync on every Mac and backup each Mac to an external drive.
Advantages
There are many advantages to installing ChronoAgent on all the Macs and ChronoSync on the Mac server.
- The Mac file server has complete control over all the backups and users on the individual Macs have none.
- Schedule the backups to run at a specific time or better yet use the “Sync When Available” option and the Macs will automatically backup when they join the network so you don’t have to worry if Macs are available.
- It is incredibly cost effective since ChronoAgent is less expensive to install on Macs than ChronoSync.
- Backup multiple Macs to the onsite Mac server. Backup the onsite Mac server backups to an offsite location. All of this is controlled by ChronoSync on one central Mac.
- A centralized solution. One copy of ChronoSync can control all the backups to the Mac server and all the backups offsite.
What is a Mac Server?
A central Mac you designate to store all your backups on. The Mac server can be connected to external drives, NAS devices, cloud services, Macs, or other computers. So the amount of storage is limitless. You can use any Mac for this. Whether you are business with a lot of Macs or just a home user with a few Macs.
SETUP
First, determine what you want to backup on the Mac.
- Entire Mac drive – Bootable backup.
- This approach is not recommended since Apple has placed limitations on backing up an entire Mac’s drive.
- Data Volume Backup – backup all the data on the Mac.
- User Folder Backup – backup all the Users data.
- Specific folders – backup specific folders and files deemed important.
- Not sure on what you want or can backup? Contact us.
Next, install ChronoAgent on any Macs you want to backup.
Follow our other guide to see how to setup/configure ChronoAgent.
Next, install ChronoSync on the Mac server.
Follow our other guide to see how to setup/configure ChronoSync.
Finally, create a ChronoSync task that connects to each Mac you want to backup.
For example; to backup the Documents folder on Mac1 to the Mac server then create a ChronoSync task that targets Mac1’s Document folder to Mac server’s Mac1 backup folder. It will maintain an exact copy of that folder on the Mac server. Further you can backup all your backups offsite.
SCHEDULE
- Schedule backups to run at any time period. You can use one of the predefined scheduling intervals or get creative and come up with your own.
- Schedule backups to run when ChronoAgent joins the network. Extremely handy for MacBooks that leave the network when away.
- Schedule backups to run over the internet. A little more complicated but can be done.
- Not sure on how to setup a specific schedule? Contact us.
NO RISK
Keep in mind you can test this out before you purchase by installing ChronoSync and ChronoAgent then activating the full working trial period.
A ChronoSync to ChronoAgent connection is the best way to connect two Macs for backups or syncs. A ChronoSync to multiple ChronoAgent connections is a smart, safe, and simple method to keep a lot of Macs backed up.
TECHNICAL SUPPORT
Contact our technical support team and just ask! We don’t mind — we’re here to help!