During Snow Leopard setup, the Time Machine configuration in Server Preferences is configured. These settings apply to client computers using disk space on the server for backup.

Backup the Server Itself

To configure the server to back itself up to time machine, is an additional step. Directly accessing System Preferences on the server itself is the only way to begin backing up the mini server to a Time Machine backup.

In this example for a headless server, the ip address is used to reliably connect using screen sharing..

Enter the username and pw used to set up the machine..

Enter the same information again at the VNC login screen to the mini2 machine..

Boom, you're in/on..

Notice that indeed, Time Machine backups for this machine itself are not enabled. AFAIK, the only way to set up time machine for the server is using the screen sharing if running headless. May be an ssh way to do it as well.

With no external drives plugged in, set Time Machine to back up to hard drive 2. This is the same drive that is storing user service data. Time Machine is smart enough to notice that the backup is on same drive as the data and will pop a warning that may be ignored for now. In the future, when an external firewire drive is plugged in, the time machine location will be moved to firewire. Then, a hardware failure on a drive in the mini2 enclosure will not be catastrophic.

More info, or want expert heavy lifting? In Southwest, MO, doug.brethower@lakedata.net

Elsewhere, look for a member of the Apple Consultants Network. ACTC - Apple Certified Technical Coordinators. Experts who are educated and trained, who care about giving clients the personalized service and attention to detail that maximizes the value of Apple Server Systems.