How to back up files from Mac to Synology NAS with Time Machine

Overview

This article will guide you through the process of backing up data from your Mac OS X computer to a Synology DiskStation using Apple’s Time Machine, a backup utility included in Mac OS X 10.5 and later.

Contents

1. Set up DiskStation to support Time Machine
   • 1.1 Create a shared folder for Time Machine backup
   • 1.2 Create a user for Time Machine backup and set quota limit
   • 1.3 Set the shared folder as Time Machine’s backup target
2. Perform Time Machine Backup to DiskStation
   • 2.1 Connect to your NAS server
   • 2.2 Configure Time Machine to set DiskStation as its backup disk
3. More Information

1. Set up DiskStation to support Time Machine

Before setting your DiskStation as the destination for Time Machine, you’ll need to login to DSM and change a few settings.

1.1 Create a shared folder for Time Machine backup

1. Login to DSM with an account belonging to the administrators group.
2. Go to Control Panel > Shared Folder and click Create to create a shared folder.
   
3. Enter a name for the shared folder (such as “Time Machine Folder”) and select a location (if multiple volumes exist). In this example, we’ll choose Volume 1.
   
4. Check the Encrypt this shared folder box and enter an encryption key if you would like to encrypt the shared folder Time Machine Folder, and then click Next.
   
5. Configure advanced settings for the shared folder as you prefer, and then click Next.
   
6. Click Apply.
   
7. Click OK.
   
8. Now you should see the newly-created shared folder.
   

1.2 Create a user for Time Machine and set quota limit

1. 1. Go to Control Panel > User and click Create.
      
   2. Enter a username (such as “Time Machine User”) and specify a password. Then click Next.
      
   3. Click Next.
      
   4. Make sure this user is assigned read/write permission to Time Machine Folder, and click OK.
      
   5. In this example, we’ll back up data to Time Machine Folder. However, we don’t want the backup to use up your space, so we’ll specify a usage quota. On the User quota setting page, enter a value you prefer in the Quota field and select a Unit from the drop-down menu. For example, we’ll set a quota of 200 GB for Time Machine Folder. After specifying a quota, click Next.
      

1. Click Next.
   
2. Click Next.
   
3. Click Apply.
   
4. Now we should have a user called Time Machine User.
   

1.3 Set the shared folder as Time Machine’s backup target

1. 1. Go to Control Panel > File Services.
      
   2. Find the AFP section on the SMB/AFP/NFS tab, and check the Enable AFP service box.
      

1. 1. Go to the Advanced tab, check the Enable Bonjour Time Machine broadcast via AFP box, and click on the Set Time Machine Folders button.
      
   2. Choose the shared folder you just created from the Time Machine menu, and click Apply to save settings.
      

2. Perform Time Machine Backup to DiskStation

This section will show you how to configure Time Machine to set DiskStation’s shared folder as the backup destination. This process allows Time Machine to easily locate your DiskStation on the local area network and regard it as the backup disk. When the setup is complete, Time Machine will be able to start backing up data to the DiskStation.

2.1 Connect to your NAS server

1. On your Mac, click Go in the top menu bar, and select Connect to Server.
   
2. Enter the address of your NAS server. Use AFP or SMB according to your setting in the step 1.3.2. After specifying the address, click Connect.
   
3. Enter your account credentials, and click Connect.
   
4. Select Time Machine Folder from the list, and then click OK.
   

2.2 Configure Time Machine to set DiskStation as its backup disk

1. On your Mac, open System Preferences from the Dock, and click Time Machine.
2. Check the Back Up Automatically box, and click Select Disk.
   
3. Choose the shared folder you created, which is Time Machine Folder in this case, and then click Use Disk.
   
4. The system will prompt you to provide your account credentials. Enter the username and password of the user you just created, and click Connect.
   
5. Time Machine will start backing up data soon after.

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