I have decided to replace my old linux NAS box (Dlink DNS-323) to improve the speed when serving up files via SMB. I don't need any HTPC or media use. Just want the fastest NAS to the many MacBooks we have in the house. My current home network has a gigabit switch and a router that supports 802.11ac. Would an older Mac mini suffice? If so what speeds can I expect from it as a NAS?
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Mac mini as file server?
- Thread starter citivolus
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I used a Base 2012 Mini as a server for several years, replaced it with a base 2014 1.4ghz i5/4gb Mini for a few more, and recently updated to a 2014 2.8ghz/8gb Mini with internal 128gb SSD and external USB 3.0 4tb SSD. It is primarily an iTunes server (just runs iTunes 24/7 with home sharing) but I also use it as a network disk with the standard MacOS File Sharing.
When I was running the base 2014 Mini on El Capitan, I was coming close to saturating my gigabit ethernet LAN (a little under 100MB/sec). But now I am only seeing around 60MB/sec on the new server with Mojave. The new computer is twice as fast as the old one, has twice the RAM and an internal SSD that clocks around 700MB/sec, so I don't understand why performance is so poor. Maybe newer versions of MacOS just aren't as fast for file sharing? For my needs, this doesn't matter much, so I haven't done any in-depth troubleshooting.
Anyway, there's no reason why a 2014 Mini shouldn't be plenty fast enough to saturate gigabit ethernet. The hardware is certainly a lot more powerful than the wimpy little Linux computers inside NAS boxes. Apple sells MacOS server software through the App Store, it only costs $20. Maybe this provides better performance, have not tried it but one day I might. Just a bit bewildered as to why my older, slower Mini was so much faster at a file sharing.
When I was running the base 2014 Mini on El Capitan, I was coming close to saturating my gigabit ethernet LAN (a little under 100MB/sec). But now I am only seeing around 60MB/sec on the new server with Mojave. The new computer is twice as fast as the old one, has twice the RAM and an internal SSD that clocks around 700MB/sec, so I don't understand why performance is so poor. Maybe newer versions of MacOS just aren't as fast for file sharing? For my needs, this doesn't matter much, so I haven't done any in-depth troubleshooting.
Anyway, there's no reason why a 2014 Mini shouldn't be plenty fast enough to saturate gigabit ethernet. The hardware is certainly a lot more powerful than the wimpy little Linux computers inside NAS boxes. Apple sells MacOS server software through the App Store, it only costs $20. Maybe this provides better performance, have not tried it but one day I might. Just a bit bewildered as to why my older, slower Mini was so much faster at a file sharing.
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At my brother's, I have him hooked up on my older 2014 1.4GHz i5 Mac mini with upgraded ssd and external 2TB ssd and it works like a champ. This might be the most cost effective, however it only comes with 4GB RAM.
At my place I use a 2014 2.6GHz i5 Mac mini with a Fusion drive and external 4TB ssd, slightly better with 8GB RAM.
I think the best value, however, would be finding a decent deal on a 2.3GHz or 2.6 GHz 2012 Mac mini with the specs you'd like or do the upgrades yourself (16GB RAM and up to 8TB internal storage since it can hold 2 internal drives at up to 4TB each)
At my place I use a 2014 2.6GHz i5 Mac mini with a Fusion drive and external 4TB ssd, slightly better with 8GB RAM.
I think the best value, however, would be finding a decent deal on a 2.3GHz or 2.6 GHz 2012 Mac mini with the specs you'd like or do the upgrades yourself (16GB RAM and up to 8TB internal storage since it can hold 2 internal drives at up to 4TB each)