Using crashplan to backup a time machine disk

Question

So, crashplan themselves say it can't and shouldn't be done, because of hard links and how TM works... But can't it, really?! Isn't there any way around it?

Reason I want to use CrashPlan is because it does everything else I need - except easy recovery, which TimeMachine provides.

^{PS: "Nope, it can't be done" and a very detailed answer on why, or "do it with rsync" or something are both ok here.}

Answer 1

Backups are important, right? So I'd tend to take Crashplan at their word, rather than try and prove them wrong.

However, if I were going to try and use Crashplan with TimeMachine, I'd look into backing up time machine to a sparse image, and then using crashplan to backup the sparse image. TimeMachine automatically backs up to a sparse image when doing backups to a network location. The sparse image itself is just directory containing basic files, these are used to provide the filesystem features, like hard links, that TimeMachine requires.

Whatever you do, remember to test the backup and restore process before you put any faith in it.

Answer 2

Instead of using crashplan, use the new Time Machine (since Mountain Lion).

Problem solved.

Answer 3

For backing up my Time Machine volume, I use SuperDuper!, which correctly handles hard links on folders. I already saved my Time Machine data using the backup in place of the original Time Machine disk.

With Mountain Lion, I plan to use the multiple Time Machine disks feature.