Time Machine, FreeBSD and AFP are on a little boat »

Published on January 11, 2010.

Warning: This post is outdated! Here is a newer version.

Okay, I just had set up a backup system from a MacBookPro (let's say, the client) to a FreeBSD-powered server (quite boringly, the server). I chose Time Machine because of it's nice and polished interface and its deep integration with OSX. After a lot of (too much?) tries and spent time, I chose the AFP for the protocol between the two machines. I decided to write this post because there are plenty of outdated posts on the web concerning this setup, and I didn't manage to hit my goal with them. So my post relates a way which works for me.

On the FreeBSD server »

AFP service »

The AFP protocol is provided by NetATalk, a free AFP implementation. Let's install it with the ports tree:

cd /usr/ports/net/netatalk/ && make install clean

Add it to your configuration: add the following to /etc/rc.conf:

netatalk_enable="YES"
afpd_enable="YES"

Define an obscure setting in /usr/local/etc/afpd.conf:

"Time Machine" -uamlist uams_dhx2.so

Add your Time Machine share into /usr/local/etc/AppleVolumes.default (edit to make it fits your needs):

/storage/timemachine/    "Time Machine" allow:thomas

Finally start the service:

/usr/local/etc/rc.d/netatalk start

Howl (optional) »

Howl is a free implementation of the Apple's Bonjour protocol. It is used to spread hostnames and shares on your network. You don't really need it, but I think it's smarter to use it.

Install by the ports tree:

cd /usr/ports/net/howl/ && make install clean

Add to the configuration (/etc/rc.conf):

mdnsresponder_enable="YES"
mdnsresponder_flags="-f /usr/local/etc/mDNSResponder.conf"

Create the configuration file /usr/local/etc/mDNSResponder.conf and fill it:

"Home Time Machine Server"     _afpovertcp._tcp     local.     548

Start the service:

/usr/local/etc/rc.d/mdnsresponder start

Needed steps on the client »

Unsupported Network Volumes »

By default, Time Machine only allows you to use an AirPort-based system if you want to backup your data throught your network. So we need to ask it politely to enable the support for every network drive. Grab your terminal and type:

defaults write com.apple.systempreferences TMShowUnsupportedNetworkVolumes 1

The sparsebundle image »

source of this part

Since filesystem provided by FreeBSD is not quite compatible with Time Machine, you have to create your own file system image. Use Disk Utility to create image:

Save As: MachineNameMacAddress (MachineName as read from "System Preferences / Sharing / Computer Name field". MacAddress has to be ethernet address of en0 - as displayed in ifconfig en0 result in ethernet line - without colons. For example: jf010203040506. Always use ethernet interface. Wireless interface won't work.)
Name: Time Machine
Size: Custom - greater than your HD size (in fact, it's the amount of disk space you want to allow to your backups)
Format: I use Mac OS Extended (Journaled) but I'm not sure which one is the best.
Partitions: Single partition - Apple partition map
Image format: sparse bundle disk image

Resulting file should have .sparsebundle extension. Copy it to your remote FreeBSD drive and you're done.