Slow Ethernet Network Between Computers

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Slow Ethernet Network Between Computers

I don't really know too much about networking but my ethernet connection between my iMac and Mini is VERY slow...when I try to transfer a file either from my iMac too my Mini or vise versa the speed is so slow that it estimates a 600mg file will take 6 hours to complete.

My internet connection is fine for all computers .... it's just slow between my 2 macs.

This is my set up... http://i284.photobucket.com/albums/ll27/psa_2008/pic114845-1.jpg?t=1241282961

iMac Intel 2 Duo 2.16Ghz 3 GB Ram 10.5 OSX
Mac Mini Intel 2 Duo 2.0Ghz 2 GB Ram 10.5 OSX

iMac, Mac OS X (10.5.6), 2.16Ghz 3GB ram Intel Due

Posted on May 3, 2009 9:05 PM

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Answer 1

May 3, 2009 9:51 PM in response to psa_mac

Make sure the cable is at least Cat-5e. Your Macs are capable of gigabit (1000Base-T) speed, but not if the cables are some old ones you found in your closet, back from when networking was 100 times slower... your actual speed may be down to 100 or even 10Base-T.

http://support.apple.com/kb/TA20669

Most broadband connections are relatively slow compared to local networking speeds, so it may seem fast enough even over a 10Base-T network.

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Answer 2

psa_mac Author

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May 4, 2009 7:45 AM in response to Kenichi Watanabe

All the cables are new and they are all Cat-5e. My Ethernet speed in my System Preference is noted as 100baseTX

http://i284.photobucket.com/albums/ll27/psa_2008/pic154547-1.jpg?t=1241447635

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Answer 3

May 4, 2009 11:07 AM in response to psa_mac

If the connection is going through a router or hub/switch, it may be slower depending on the capabilities of that hardware. You can see if there is a difference, if you connect the two Macs directly.

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Answer 4

psa_mac Author

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May 4, 2009 1:57 PM in response to Kenichi Watanabe

Kenichi Watanabe wrote:
If the connection is going through a router or hub/switch, it may be slower depending on the capabilities of that hardware. You can see if there is a difference, if you connect the two Macs directly.

Don't know why I didn't think of that....just tried a "direct" connect from my iMac to my Mini....only took 18 minutes to transfer 11GB....so my slow down is in my Ethernet Switch....what type of specs should I look for when getting a Ethernet switch/hub..?...this is what I currently have...

http://www.ascent.co.nz/productspecification.aspx?ItemID=344876

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Answer 5

May 4, 2009 2:11 PM in response to psa_mac

Where it says "10/100," you want 10/100/1000 (the 1000 part being "gigabit"). For example

[on Amazon.com|http://www.amazon.com/D-Link-DGS-2205-5-port-Desktop-Switch/dp/B000F IVDIA/ref=pd bbs1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1241471106&sr=8-1]

I don't own that particular product. I bought this one

[from Trendnet|http://www.amazon.com/TRENDnet-Gigabit-Desktop-TEG-S5-Version/dp/B000P GEVWM/ref=sr 13?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1241471336&sr=1-3]

when it was on sale for under $20. Seems to work well, although I don't really stress it too much in my use.

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Answer 6

psa_mac Author

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May 4, 2009 7:01 PM in response to Kenichi Watanabe

Kenichi Watanabe wrote:
Where it says "10/100," you want 10/100/1000 (the 1000 part being "gigabit"). For example

[on Amazon.com| http://www.amazon.com/D-Link-DGS-2205-5-port-Desktop-Switch/dp/B000FIVDIA/ref=pd bbs1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1241471106&sr=8-1]

I don't own that particular product. I bought this one

[from Trendnet| http://www.amazon.com/TRENDnet-Gigabit-Desktop-TEG-S5-Version/dp/B000PGEVWM/ref= sr 13?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1241471336&sr=1-3]

when it was on sale for under $20. Seems to work well, although I don't really stress it too much in my use.

thanks for the info....btw...do you know how to "wake" my sleeping Mini via my iMac through the network..?

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Answer 7

May 4, 2009 7:15 PM in response to psa_mac

I don't know from personal experience, but there is an option in System Preferences +Energy Saver+ pane Options tab for

Wake Options - Wake for Ethernet network administrator access.

I don't know exactly what an +Ethernet network administrator+ is, but you can see if that makes it happen.

Otherwise, just use +Display Sleep+ on that Mac mini, with the setting for +Put the hard disk(s) to sleep when possible+ checked. Set +Computer Sleep+ to Never. A Mac mini probably does not use a huge amount of power when it is idling, as long as the connected display is not active.

My iMac is on all the time, with just +Display Sleep+ enabled.

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Answer 8

psa_mac Author

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May 4, 2009 7:40 PM in response to Kenichi Watanabe

Kenichi Watanabe wrote:
I don't know from personal experience, but there is an option in System Preferences +Energy Saver+ pane Options tab for

Wake Options - Wake for Ethernet network administrator access.

I don't know exactly what an +Ethernet network administrator+ is, but you can see if that makes it happen.

Otherwise, just use +Display Sleep+ on that Mac mini, with the setting for +Put the hard disk(s) to sleep when possible+ checked. Set +Computer Sleep+ to Never. A Mac mini probably does not use a huge amount of power when it is idling, as long as the connected display is not active.

My iMac is on all the time, with just +Display Sleep+ enabled.

I tried.."Ethernet network administrator"...with no luck.......

I then tried this... http://www.readpixel.com/wakeonlan/ ......but no luck either...might have to play with the setup...

My Mini is connected to my living room 42in plasma TV... so I'm guessing that the Mini does not detect my TV unless I choose the appropriate input to see the Mini desktop..?...so setting the Mini to "NEVER" sleep might work...

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Answer 9

May 4, 2009 9:10 PM in response to psa_mac

I don't think the Mac mini will be able to put a TV to sleep, unfortunately. 🙂 The Mac mini detects the TV (knows it's a TV rather than a computer display), but does not control the TV's power status. But that should not be a problem, since you probably control the TV's power manually.

Do you use Front Row? If so, does that work well? Been thinking about getting a used Intel Mac mini (even the 1.66 Core Duo MHz version) for that purpose. I already have an Apple Remote from my iMac that I never use, and 2GB of RAM from my iMac (same type) that can be re-used once I upgrade my iMac to 4GB. Just curious.

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Answer 10

psa_mac Author

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May 5, 2009 2:44 PM in response to Kenichi Watanabe

Kenichi Watanabe wrote:
I don't think the Mac mini will be able to put a TV to sleep, unfortunately. 🙂 The Mac mini detects the TV (knows it's a TV rather than a computer display), but does not control the TV's power status. But that should not be a problem, since you probably control the TV's power manually.

Do you use Front Row? If so, does that work well? Been thinking about getting a used Intel Mac mini (even the 1.66 Core Duo MHz version) for that purpose. I already have an Apple Remote from my iMac that I never use, and 2GB of RAM from my iMac (same type) that can be re-used once I upgrade my iMac to 4GB. Just curious.

I have been using a Mini for a few months now as a HTPC "Home Theater PC" ....works really good...I use http://www.plexapp.com/ as the interface...you use the Apple Remote and it is very user friendly. You download Plex then you can add plug-ins like Hulu, Joost and so on....

I use Front Row for some music but mostly I use Front Row for playing movie files. A lot of times I may record movies or TV shows via my EyeTV then use Front Row to play back.

good luck....

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Answer 11

psa_mac Author

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May 5, 2009 2:47 PM in response to psa_mac

BTW...Plex...Hulu....Joost...all are free....

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Answer 12

May 5, 2009 3:05 PM in response to psa_mac

Excellent. Thanks for the info...

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