Backup to a Disk Image Assistant
Backing up to a disk image is useful when you want to have your backup data compartmentalized onto a larger volume. This could be because you wish to keep different areas of your source data in one location, or wish to have a non-Mac filesystem store your Mac-specific files and metadata or you wish to cut back on the number of transactions when doing cloud-based backups. This assistant will create a synchronizer task that will create a backup to a disk image. The disk image can be one that already exists or the assistant can create one for you. The disk image file can reside on a local hard drive, NAS or mounted file server.
CREATE A NEW SYNCHRONIZER TASK
From the ChronoSync Organizer window, choose ‘Use a setup assistant.’ This takes you to all of the assistants ChronoSync has to offer. For this guide, choose ‘Backup to a Disk Image.’
A summary panel will appear to explain the ‘Backup to a Disk Image’ assistant. Click on ‘Get Started’ to set up the assistant.
SELECT A SOURCE
Choose the folder that contains all the data you’d like to have on the disk image. ChronoSync will backup that folder and all of its subfolders. Click on ‘Next Step.’
BACKUP SPECIFIC TYPES OF DATA
If you wish to include only certain types of data, you can choose those types on this screen. Otherwise keep the default of backing up all of your data. Click on ‘Next Step.’
DISK IMAGE CREATION
If you don’t already have an existing disk image you want to use, you can choose to have ChronoSync create a new one for you. For this guide, we’ll have ChronoSync create one. Click on ‘Next Step.’
SELECT CUSTOM PROPERTIES
Give your disk image a name and then choose other properties you wish for it to have. Click on ‘Next Step.’
SELECT A DESTINATION DISK IMAGE LOCATION
Choose the volume or folder that you’d like to have the disk image reside. Click on ‘Next Step.’
MAINTAIN AN ARCHIVE
ChronoSync maintains an archive so that you have access to older files or files that you have deleted, just in case. The archive is a safety net against accidental deletions or changes to files. Determine whether you wish to have an archive and then click on ‘Next Step.’
NAME THE TASK
The final step to the ‘Backup to a Disk Image’ assistant is to give it a unique, meaningful name so that you can easily access the task in the future. After naming the task, click on ‘Create Task’ to complete the assistant setup.
TASK CREATED
ChronoSync has created a new task with the settings specified during the assistant setup. The task is presented to you. From here, you can choose to go through all of the panels of the task document and fine tune options or, to keep things simple, run the task as-is.
CONCLUSION
That’s it! You now have a disk image created and a task defined to have ChronoSync back up to it. If you need to access this task document in the future, it can be found in the ChronoSync Organizer.
WHEN THINGS GO WRONG
Using the backup to a disk image assistant is pretty straightforward so the above steps should work flawlessly and without incident. If you encounter any problems following this tutorial or you have any questions concerning any of the settings, please contact our technical support team and just ask! We don’t mind — we’re here to help!