Q: Networking G4 PowerMac for back up

Hi,

Target Disk mode would be faster than network via FW, no idea why FW networking is so slow, but as I recall i'ts far slower than 100 BaseT ethernet, or even Wifi.

I've done the same thing for years, but I use Tri-Backup to make it esay...

http://www.tri-edre.com/english/tribackup.html

They have older versions available, but if backing up or copying 'd use a version consistant with the OS you're backing up.

Quantify " sluggish".  I periodically copy a GB or so of files from a G4 Tiger to my MacBook over Ethernet.  It is about the same as USB2 speeds.  I  suspect that is just the nature of using Ethernet with that kind of setup.

If that G4 does not have gigabit ethernet, you could look around on eBay for a Mac-compatible ethernet card. I was using an old G4/450 for dsome backup tears ago, and installed a gigabit ethernet card. Can't remember which card, though. It needs to be PCI or PCIx, not PCIe. Sonnet makes one. There was also an Apple PCI gig-E card.

Here is the type you would need: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Sonnet-GE1000LA2X-Presto-Gigabit-Ethernet-2-PCI-Card-/33 1700685566?hash=item4d3ae6cafe:g:UZEAAOSwyZ5UpH9t

But you ought to be able to find a used one for quite a lot less.

You can find some old reports on adding Ethernet cards to Macs at http://www.xlr8yourmac.com.

10.4 or 10.5 Server should work, but far from free, & there were 2 versions, 10 user & unlimited.

10.4 & 10.5 Client versions both have 10 limit user.