Use of MyCloud from Mac and Windows

I currently have two 2TB WD drives in a mirrored NAS (USB2) which I use as an external archive and backup for my laptop. In addition, I have a single WD 2TB external used for a MacBook’s time-machine. I am looking to buy a 4-bay MyCloud to provide archive and backup via Wi-Fi. Will the single MyCloud serve both MacOS and Windows computers. For example - could I use it for TimeMachine as well as backing up Windows (Acronis) and providing space for archives?

Yes you can back up to a single bay My Cloud from both Windows and Mac computers. It is dependent on the backup program to have the capability to backup to an NAS regardless of manufacture. Most backup programs DO have the capability to backup to an NAS drive like the My Cloud.

Hi Bennor – many thanks for this response. However – at the risk of being over pedantic – I aim to use “Time Machine” to backup the Mac, while Acronis to backup the Windows system. Archiving from the Windows system will be just by setting up a drive letter and copying. I don’t know enough about Macs to understand how to archive data from that. With a four-bay NAS I suppose I can just pair up the drives and so have two mirrored sets – one for the Macs and one for Windows. However, I would prefer to set the RAID with all four drives as a RAID 5 so that I can cater for a failed drive.

I have a lot to learn. Maybe I should download the manual and read it .

Google ‘Time Machine NAS’.

They are not particularly happy partners, I understand. Maybe Apple have finally cracked it, or removed their ‘not a Time Capsule so I’m not going to play nicely’ feature…

Please note that this subforum (My Cloud) is primary focused on the SINGLE BAY My Cloud units. There are a number of other subforums for specific multi bay My Cloud units: https://community.wd.com/. You may find more knowledgeable people in the subform for your specific My Cloud model.

Generally when one backs up multiple computers to the My Cloud using either Smartware (Windows), Time Machine (Mac), or a third party backup program like Acronis, those backup programs DO NOT overwrite the My Cloud itself, rather they backup to a specific location (Share or folder/subfolder) on the My Cloud. You can backup both Mac’s and Windows, or multiple combinations of comptuers to the same My Cloud unit.

Yes, you really should download the read the entire My Cloud User Manual for your specific My Cloud model to understand the features and how to use them (http://support.wdc.com/). Further there is additional information for your specific My Cloud model in at the My Cloud Learning Center:
http://mycloud.com/learn/
http://setup.wd2go.com/index.php

Good day – thanks you for your response “You can backup both Mac’s and Windows, or multiple combinations of comptuers to the same My Cloud unit”

“There are a number of other subforums for specific multi bay My Cloud units” – I will have a look at these

Thank you again

Chris