Level 1

20 points

LAN and wifi

Hi,

Not a super experienced guy in networking. I have a Mac mini 2012 and a Mac mini 2014 (both on Catalina 10.15.3) accessing internet wirelessly (192.168.86.xxx via DHCP and static address) subnet 255.255.255.0 and router 192.168.86.1.

I wish to connect both Mac either thunderbolt bridge or Ethernet for large file transfer and faster speed and still being able to access internet wirelessly for both Mac mini.

So far I’ve tried thunderbolt bridge with manual ip 10.0.0.1 for one and 10.0.0.2 for second one. Subnet 255.255.255.0 and empty for router. I’ve set thunderbolt bridge above wifi in setup order but I can’t connect either Mac mini by thunderbolt. But I can do file sharing via 192.168.86.xxx over wifi. Also tried Ethernet with same ip and subnet and no go. All connections are active = green dot.

What am I doing wrong ?

Thanks for taking the time to respond

Mac mini, macOS 10.15

Posted on Feb 24, 2020 8:59 PM

36 replies

hcsitas

Level 6

13,964 points

Feb 26, 2020 2:47 AM in response to hcsitas

I think that’s because you don’t have anything connected from the back of your Macs to the router, and that’s because the Lan ports on the router and mesh are already taken by the Synology and ATV. Correct?

Ally64 Author

Level 1

20 points

Feb 26, 2020 2:55 AM in response to hcsitas

I guess so ... I can't physically connect Mac to router or mesh point ... funny though ethernet is green with DHCP and static ip.

So if I'm not too dumb ... this means that they can't get automatic ips because they are not connected physically to router or mesh point ? Only Synology and ATV can because they are ...

Ally64 Author

Level 1

20 points

Feb 26, 2020 3:14 AM in response to Ally64

On my way to train station ... thanks for crystal clear explanation ...

let’s go back to square one : 2 Mac minis connected wifi DHCP (no static ip as per your recommendations) ... all I want to achieve is to physically connect both Mac minis for large file transfer speed increase.

could thunderbolt bridge (or else) would be the way to go and how to achieve that ?

Ally64 Author

Level 1

20 points

Feb 27, 2020 1:34 AM in response to hcsitas

lol ... you’re so right ... unfortunately for me ... strictly impossible to connect Mac minis Ethernet to router or mesh point not on same floor ... so no possibility to connect switch ... would have been a dead simple solution but no go

guess I can forget about the whole thing then

Ally64 Author

Level 1

20 points

Feb 25, 2020 3:07 AM in response to hcsitas

Thanks hcsitas ... I will try that and let you know of the outcome ...

hcsitas

Level 6

13,964 points

Feb 25, 2020 3:37 AM in response to Ally64

Great, look forward to it.

Ally64 Author

Level 1

20 points

Feb 25, 2020 4:22 AM in response to hcsitas

Thanks for sharing your knowledge ... I’ll get back to you ... have a great day !

hcsitas

Level 6

13,964 points

Feb 25, 2020 4:31 AM in response to Ally64

You’re welcome, cheers

Ally64 Author

Level 1

20 points

Feb 26, 2020 1:41 AM in response to hcsitas

Mac mini 2014

Mac mini 2012

lan port on router is occupied by Synology NAS and lan port occupied by Apple TV 4K on mesh second access point

hcsitas

Level 6

13,964 points

Feb 26, 2020 2:26 AM in response to Ally64

In that case please update the DNS settings for Ethernet to exactly as you have it for WiFi in your screenshots above.

Ally64 Author

Level 1

20 points

Feb 26, 2020 2:44 AM in response to hcsitas

followed your instructions .... both ethernet Mac interfaces are back to the 169.254.xxx.xxx addresses range and yellow dot

Ally64 Author

Level 1

20 points

Feb 26, 2020 2:56 AM in response to Ally64

Gotta go to work ... I'll try to think of something today and dig furthermore tonight ... thanks for your help it's really appreciated ... talk to you later

Ally64 Author

Level 1

20 points

Feb 26, 2020 3:45 AM in response to Ally64

Ok thanks hcsitas for your patience

hcsitas

Level 6

13,964 points

Feb 26, 2020 3:53 AM in response to Ally64

You’re welcome, later.

Ally64 Author

Level 1

20 points

Feb 26, 2020 4:33 AM in response to Ally64

Just in case I was not clear ... both Mac minis are on top of each other ... so they can be physically connected

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LAN and wifi