Networked headless Mac mini networking issues

radiogoober · 06-14-2012, 03:15 PM

Hi there,

I have a headless Mac mini as my "server", although it is only running normal Lion. It is setup to server iTunes, Plex, etc. I am experiencing some strange issues that I cannot figure out. The mini is setup to run several backups via Carbon Copy Cloner between 3:15am and 4:00am. The issue is that the backups do not run. But it gets stranger:

- If I ScreenShare to the server, as soon as the screen opens CarbonCopyCloner pops up and starts running all the backups at the same time, which gives me the impression that something needed to "kick them into gear" to get them running.

- If I ScreenShare to the server and leave the screen share open overnight, the backup scripts run perfectly fine at the designated times.

I figured this must be some weird sleep issue. I have configured the server to do multiple things to stay awake: 1. It's configured to "wake" at 3:00am, 2. It is configured to "never sleep" in the power management settings, 3. I have a terminal window open with "pmset noidle" running, and 4. I have it pinging my Mac every 30 seconds ad infinitum.

So as far as I can tell, the server never goes to sleep, but for some reason it will only run the CarbonCopyCloner scripts if there is a (virtual) monitor observing it.

Does anyone know why this occurs?

Thank you

agentx · 06-16-2012, 12:10 PM

I would redo your schedules for CCC.
Have you tried a different time ?
Do not bother with wake up at 3.00 setting.
Reset the SMC on MacMini http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3964

I think 3.00am is also time for a Mac's periodic maintenance.

06-14-2012, 03:15 PM	#1
radiogoober Registered User Join Date: Jun 2012 Posts: 1	Networked headless Mac mini networking issues Hi there, I have a headless Mac mini as my "server", although it is only running normal Lion. It is setup to server iTunes, Plex, etc. I am experiencing some strange issues that I cannot figure out. The mini is setup to run several backups via Carbon Copy Cloner between 3:15am and 4:00am. The issue is that the backups do not run. But it gets stranger: - If I ScreenShare to the server, as soon as the screen opens CarbonCopyCloner pops up and starts running all the backups at the same time, which gives me the impression that something needed to "kick them into gear" to get them running. - If I ScreenShare to the server and leave the screen share open overnight, the backup scripts run perfectly fine at the designated times. I figured this must be some weird sleep issue. I have configured the server to do multiple things to stay awake: 1. It's configured to "wake" at 3:00am, 2. It is configured to "never sleep" in the power management settings, 3. I have a terminal window open with "pmset noidle" running, and 4. I have it pinging my Mac every 30 seconds ad infinitum. So as far as I can tell, the server never goes to sleep, but for some reason it will only run the CarbonCopyCloner scripts if there is a (virtual) monitor observing it. Does anyone know why this occurs? Thank you

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06-16-2012, 12:10 PM	#2
agentx Hall of Famer Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Brighton, UK Posts: 3,811	I would redo your schedules for CCC. Have you tried a different time ? Do not bother with wake up at 3.00 setting. Reset the SMC on MacMini http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3964 I think 3.00am is also time for a Mac's periodic maintenance.