A strange problem with backups that start, but fail to complete successfully, apparently because of duplicate filenames. T2M2 to the rescue, bringing some important lessons.
backup
Scheduling background activities like making backups has moved from cron to launchd, and now to a more complex system. This has reduced the reliability of macOS and made it harder to support.
Different search and filter tools have different purposes – as demonstrated by exploring the log using Consolation 3. Regex at work!
Automatic backups will still become irregular or fail altogether, making Sierra 10.12.6 unsuitable for servers and systems requiring sustained operation.
How to diagnose this bug, manage it when it occurs, and try to prevent it from happening: latest information.
Apple now states that APFS will handle the problems of normalisation of file and folder names. At least in iOS 10.3.3 and macOS 10.12.6, due shortly.
How to cope better with problems which can occur with iCloud Keychains, and how to make your own local backups.
Lack of sleep can do strange things to people. Perhaps it can to Macs too. Could this solve the Time Machine irregularity bug?
On laptops, Time Machine’s ‘local snapshots’ have been of limited use. In High Sierra, this all changes, and for laptop users should be a strong reason for upgrading.
Sleep interrupts the scheduling and dispatch of background tasks. Here’s how it looks in the dispatching systems.
The Eclectic Light Company 