Connecting Two Macs ...

[Fender2112]

If I want to transfer files (20 GB worth) from an old computer to a new one, which is faster: Transfer via ethernet router (which is how I'm set up now) or connecting the two Macs directly to each other via an ethernet cable?

Also, what is the difference between a "plain" ethernet cable and a "crossover" cable?

Thanks

 

[Mr. Anderson]

If they're both running OSX and have firewire, shut one down, connect them together with the firewire cable and startup the other one while holding the 't' key down. This will boot up the drive as a slave firewire drive and it will appear on the desktop. Transfer the files, drag the slave drive to the trash to disconnect the drive, remove the cable and reboot the machine.

I do this all the time with big files between my powerbook and desktop, its by far the fastest I've used.

D

 

[Fender2112]

Originally posted by Mr. Anderson
If they're both running OSX and have firewire, shut one down, connect them together with the firewire cable and startup the other one while holding the 't' key down. This will boot up the drive as a slave firewire drive and it will appear on the desktop. Transfer the files, drag the slave drive to the trash to disconnect the drive, remove the cable and reboot the machine.

I do this all the time with big files between my powerbook and desktop, its by far the fastest I've used.

D

I'll keep that in mind for the future but alas, my old computer is REALLY old.

 

[Mr. Anderson]

You can also do a direct connect via ethernet. Set both IPs manually - one machine 1.1.1.1 and the other 1.1.1.2 and mount one on the other an transfer.

Pretty simple, even for older machines.

D

 

[doctorhook]

Turn File Sharing On

In system prefs>Sharing make sure personal file sharing is on. In Network prefs you want to select ethernet.
Use the GO menu to connect.
A crossover cable has one extra pin more than the "plain" and is for exactly what you want to do> connect two machines over ethernet.

doctorhook

 

[D0ct0rteeth]

Is there a way to do this with airport?

I have file sharing on.. both coputers have airport cards..

They are sharing the printers and Internet fine..

But what about the files?

- Doc

 

[macfreek57]

Re: Turn File Sharing On

Originally posted by doctorhook


...

A crossover cable has one extra pin more than the "plain" and is for exactly what you want to do> connect two machines over ethernet.

doctorhook

no i think a crossover cable and a terminal-to-router cable have the same number of pins but the crossover has two of the pins switched

oh yeah and about aiport...
i don't personally have any experience with it but you would use the "Connect To Server..." menu item in the "Go" menu in the finder (or apple-K)

yeah