One backup drive (backup software is Carbon Copy Cloner (CCC)) that has a copy of a map called ‘Work’.
One user that’s not so tech savvy.
The user normally works on the iMac, but occasionally she’s away and then she bring her backup drive and the Air, and work with the files directly on the backup. I know, not the ideal solution, but it works. The original files are still on the iMac and she knows that if the external drive is lost while she’s away, so is the recent work. That is ok.
The problem arise when she comes back; Then I want the recently updated files to automatically be copied back to the iMac. Ie, the iMac is the primary work station and should always be up to date (except for when she’s away as mentioned above).
Question:
Is this possible with CCC or any other software?
(Cloud storage is not activated in any way in this situation.)
“Synchronization makes two sets of files identical to each other. A classic example is having a desktop computer in the office and a laptop for your travels. You would sync your documents before leaving and again when you return. ChronoSync excels at this task!”
It may be possible with CCC as well, but I do not use CCC. Hopefully someone who does can chime in.
Yes, possible and “normal” for Carbon Copy Cloner, Chronosync, and even the app “rsync” which you can get for “free” as open source and available for decades. (I cannot recall if macOS includes rsync any more, but it used to). I use all three of these for my sins.
Whatever method you use, you have to set it up carefully with tests to confirm what you think will happen actually happens.
Edit: See @dario’s correction below. I was mistaken about 2-way with CCC. I now remember why I use rsync for that. (The problem with setting up automated sync’s like this, for me at least, is that after a while I forgot how they work … it’s recommended that when does setup such sync’s to do copious documentation, esp. when done on behalf of another person.)
CCC will only sync one way with the option to smart update (changed files only). There’s no two-way sync (see under configurations not supported). Technically, this could be achieved using two backup tasks to run one or the other (depending on whether she needs to copy to or from the external drive), but this is then prone to user error.
So it’s either Chronosync or rsync (which is still included in macOS with fresh installs of Sonoma).
Is it necessary (or desirable) to use Chronosync Agent on the laptop, in addition to Chronosync on the desktop iMac?
My requirement is exactly the same as the original poster @carlsson - mostly use the desktop, occasional off-site use of the MacBook. Looking at the Chronosync online documentation, Chronosync Agent on the synced computer appears to add additional functionality but it’s not clear to me how that works.
Just to confirm, Chronosync would be installed on the primary Mac and Agent would be installed on the “remote” or occasional-use MacBook. Is that correct?
Yes, The last time I used CS Agent was to back up 450 GB+ photographs on our company president’s Mac. I put Agent on his Mac and Chronosync on a utility Mac in our server room.
