Fastest way to connect two iMacs physically

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Geektastic

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#259975 4-Nov-2019 11:02

I am waiting for a new iMac BTO.

When it arrives, I will use Migration assistant to connect them and transfer data.

What is the fastest way to connect them?

I can use Ethernet or Thunderbolt (although will be Tbolt 2 on the old machine and Tbolt 3 via adapter on the new)

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'That VDSL Cat'
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#2348025 4-Nov-2019 11:04

throw them both in the bin, then they will be physically colocated.

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#2348027 4-Nov-2019 11:13

How much data ? I'd probably go with tested method of ethernet on gig switch.

hio77:

throw them both in the bin, then they will be physically colocated.

How is that an answer ?

Throwing them off a cliff will make them go faster and they'll be assimilated when they reach the bottom.

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mdooher

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#2348033 4-Nov-2019 11:42

hio77:

throw them both in the bin, then they will be physically colocated.

I was going to say "nail gun"

Matthew

Benjip

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#2348061 4-Nov-2019 12:19

I'd go Thunderbolt if the migration assistant allows it.

timmmay

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#2348069 4-Nov-2019 12:42

Knowing nothing about macs, I guess you plug them into the same Ethernet switch. You'd want it to be gigabit at least, even that is only 125MB/sec.

Geektastic

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#2348076 4-Nov-2019 12:49

The new one has 10 Gigabit ethernet but since the other doesn't, that won't help! It has gigabit ethernet though.

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JaseNZ

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#2348080 4-Nov-2019 13:00

I am sure you would have read this.

https://support.apple.com/en-au/HT204350

Migration assistant should sort it out for you, May just have to leave it overnight to complete maybe.

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bendud

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#2348083 4-Nov-2019 13:05

If you can use wired ethernet then do so first. TB2/3 if not, wifi as last resort.

Depending on your model, you may need TB2/3 to ethernet adapters - if you are in Dunedin i can lend you one.

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antoniosk

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#2348087 4-Nov-2019 13:29

I think a thunderbolt 2 to 3 cable for direct connection is likely to be quite pricey and ultimately no use afterwards.

you clearly have an internet connection, perhaps just connect both devices to your network and do it over Ethernet? Even buying a cheap gig grade 4port switch to use in line will be cheaper and quite effective.... but whole process may take a wee bit to complete

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#2348088 4-Nov-2019 13:31

Sorry, have read posts properly now - if you are e.g. going from an old MBP to a newer one and both have GbE minimum then I would do it via Ethernet.

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FineWine

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#2348090 4-Nov-2019 13:47

WiFi or TimeMachine and Migration Assistant or a bootable backup drive using Carbon Copy Cloner or some such backup and just clone the new machine. But would also entail coping any cludd over as well.

Whilst the difficult we can do immediately, the impossible takes a bit longer. However, miracles you will have to wait for.

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Geektastic

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#2348209 4-Nov-2019 18:34

antoniosk:

I think a thunderbolt 2 to 3 cable for direct connection is likely to be quite pricey and ultimately no use afterwards.

you clearly have an internet connection, perhaps just connect both devices to your network and do it over Ethernet? Even buying a cheap gig grade 4port switch to use in line will be cheaper and quite effective.... but whole process may take a wee bit to complete

I am not sure there are any cables that have Tbolt 2 on one end and Tbolt 3 on the other. Tbolt 2 is powered and Tbolt 3 is passive.

You can, however, get a 2 to 3 adapter and I have ordered one because I have a portable RAID drive that has a non-removable TBolt2 cable (thanks, WD) so to carry on using it, an $89 adapter is required...!!

Tinkerisk

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#2348274 4-Nov-2019 20:15

Geektastic:

The new one has 10 Gigabit ethernet but since the other doesn't, that won't help! It has gigabit ethernet though.

10Gb/s eth is compatible with 1Gb/s eth as well - the new guy just have to wait at little bit for the older one ;-)

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#2348320 4-Nov-2019 21:10

How many TB of data do you need to transfer? I'm pretty sure that 1gbe ethernet is going to be fast enough for most people. You can calculate your transfer time here:

https://techinternets.com/copy_calc?do

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cyril7

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#2348358 5-Nov-2019 06:39

Scary, are you telling me you have several TB of data on an older machine and no offline backup process???????? that you can restore to the new machine from.

Cyril

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