Any difference connecting to ethernet vs thunderbolt for internet?

[djkilla]

Just curious, is there a difference in connecting the M4 Mac Mini using ethernet vs thunderbolt 4 for internet? Instead of connecting it directly to the router using ethernet, I'm using the thunderbolt 4 connected to my Dell monitor using a built-in KVM switch. Internet speed seems the same but wondering if it matters or not.

For those that don't know, a monitor with a KVM switch allows you to connect a ethernet cable from the router to the monitor then passes the internet though the thunderbolt connection from the monitor to the computer. This way you can connect only one cable to a Macbook, Mac Mini, etc. without having multiple cables everywhere. With a KVM switch, this also allows for a hybrid/dual computer setup. Hope this helps some new users out there!

 

[MacDaddyPanda]

I wouldn't think so, but I'm not sure. I currently connect my macbook Pro m4 Pro to a switch, and then from the switch to my Dell Docking station to my MBPM4Pro. All speed tests show me full bandwidth. Plus thunderbolt 4 is rated for 40GB/s. The fastest ethernet Apple offers is 10GB/s. So you're nowhere near bottlenecking it.

 

[EugW]

Yes there is a difference. I'm no expert, and you should probably check out the networking forum for the threads on this populated with people with much more knowledge on this than I have, but my superficial understanding is that most of those external solutions internally use USB networking chipsets. That in itself isn't a major problem, but there is varying support in macOS for these chipsets. IOW, you aren't using your Mac's native Ethernet, but some third party Ethernet chipset. Some are well supported with good native drivers, but some are less well supported, which can result in reduced reliability and/or increased CPU overhead. However, if it works perfectly for you, then great.

It would be interesting to check out the Network settings and System Report to see what Ethernet you're using, and also check out Activity Monitor to see how much CPU overhead there is. Mind you, the CPU overhead is probably irrelevant for an M4 series chip, since they are so fast.

 

[FreakinEurekan]

Is there a difference? Yes, @EugW covered that fine.

Will you NOTICE any difference? Probably not.

 

[Ray2]

Judging from many more than a few comments I’ve read, there appears to be a difference. The Ethernet port just works. The Thunderbolt adapter may work (that includes Apple's).

 

[Fishrrman]

"a monitor with a KVM switch allows you to connect a ethernet cable from the router to the monitor then passes the internet though the thunderbolt connection from the monitor to the computer."

Seems to me that you're STILL using ethernet as "the first link" in the "connection chain".
Whatever speed you're getting may still be limited by that factor.

Have you done any real-world testing?
Such as, using speedtest.net to benchmark your existing setup
vis-a-vis
Using speedtest to benchmark a "direct ethernet" connection to the router?

 

[djkilla]

Great comments! I did do a speed test and it's only slightly slower by 2-4mbs on a 500mbs internet using the thunderbolt connected to the monitor - connected to the router, so it's not even close to being noticeable. But as mentioned above by others, I'm convinced that using the ethernet port directly bypassing the monitor and thunderbolt port is the way to go. I'll connect the mini to the router directly today to get the native proper connection so I have maximum performance.

 

[EugW]

Great comments! I did do a speed test and it's only slightly slower by 2-4mbs on a 500mbs internet using the thunderbolt connected to the monitor - connected to the router, so it's not even close to being noticeable. But as mentioned above by others, I'm convinced that using the ethernet port directly bypassing the monitor and thunderbolt port is the way to go. I'll connect the mini to the router directly today to get the native proper connection so I have maximum performance.

It's not so much about performance, but about reliability IMO. The mini's Ethernet port is 100% reliable. A third party solution may or may not be 100% reliable, depending on the specific chipset and its drivers. However, if it's been 100% reliable for you, then that's fine.

 

[djkilla]

Thanks EugW! I'll monitor the connection for reliability and speed for a while to see if I need to direct connect to the ethernet port or not. For now, it has been reliable, so you're right that everything is fine the way it is. At least I have answers to my question and you've been a big help in explaining it all. Thank you!

 

[haralds]

...deleted...

How do you delete a complete post in this forum?

 

[FreakinEurekan]

...deleted...

How do you delete a complete post in this forum?

Ya don't.

 

[MrGimper]

I’ve used the built in 1GB NIC in my Mac mini and I’ve tested it against a 2.5GB NIC in a thunderbolt dock and a USB-C NIC. No noticeable difference. The dock and usb NICs are realtek chipsets. Zero issues.