How do I use OSX Lion Time Machine with Windows Home Server?

Solution 1:

Netatalk 2.2 supports AFP 3.3 and so Time Machine will work with it, but you'll need to use a POSIX host.

In case anyone is interested, I installed VMware Server on the MediaSmart box, downloaded and ran a copy of TurnKey Linux (the Core app), and installed and configured Netatalk on it. This will work for now until Apple breaks it again.

Solution 2:

I haven't been brave enough to try this myself, but you could install OSX Lion server on the mediasmart. See http://tonymacx86.com/viewtopic.php?f=168&t=30210

That's the only reference I've found to anyone doing this though. If anyone does have a go, I'd love to find out how they go.

For now I've switched my Macs to backing up on a 1TB usb external HD plugged into my airport. The mediasmart is just backing up the PCs now.

Solution 3:

I wanted to provide a pointer to another solution for this problem. What I like about this approach is it allows the MediaSmart server to continue to run Windows Home Server while also hosting the Time Machine network share, allowing OS X Lion to successfully back up to the WHS.

A user on the wegotserved forums has posted a detailed walkthrough that shows how to set up coLinux as a Windows service on the Windows Home Server. coLinux then runs netatalk and hosts the Time Machine file system and network share.

I've done this on my MediaSmart and other than taxing the Celeron processor a bit, it seems to be working great!

• Main article is here: How to: Back Up Your OS X Lion Apple Mac to Windows Home Server

• Updated steps and binaries available here: Using TimeMachine with OS X Lion 10.7

Thanks to SJ_UnderWater for figuring this out!