How to configure Thunderbolt bridge for Ethernet chained Mac minis?

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How to configure Thunderbolt bridge for Ethernet chained Mac minis?

Hello -- I have an 2010 Mac mini (Sierra OS) daisy-chained via Ethernet cable to a 2014 Mac mini (High Sierra OS), using the Thunderbolt to Gigabit Ethernet Adapter plugged into the 2013 Mac mini and the 2010's Ethernet port.

Both minis are booted. I started the 2010 Mac mini in target mode, with the intention of using it as an accessory drive for a while. I would like access to the files on it. I understand I need a Thunderbolt Bridge connection between the two computers so I can access the 2010 Mac mini by the Ethernet cable.

The adapter is verified as working, it appears on the Thunderbolt Bus in the System Report, as well as the 2010 Mac mini. The Mac 2010 mini does not appear in Finder or Disk Utility.

In System Prefs > Network on the 2014 Mac mini, Thunderbolt is connected but inactive (yellow dot). Thunderbolt Bridge is not connected (red dot). In Advanced, I've entered my IP's DNS servers.

I rebooted both minis after entering the DNS servers. Bridge still doesn't work.

What else do I have to do to get Thunderbolt Bridge working?

Mac mini, macOS 10.13

Posted on May 26, 2021 6:35 PM

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Answer 1

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den.thed

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91,762 points

May 26, 2021 9:26 PM in response to crabpaws

The 2010 Mac Mini requires a FireWire connection for Target Disk Mode.

please take a look at > https://www.macworld.com/article/179389/firewirenet.html

and > https://support.apple.com/guide/mac-help/transfer-files-mac-computers-target-disk-mode-mchlp1443/mac

Do you have a small HDMi TV or display that you could temporally connect to the 2010 Mac Mini, so that you can reestablish File Sharing, Screen Sharing, Target Disk Mode or whatever it was that you had working before?

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Answer 2

den.thed

Level 10

91,762 points

May 26, 2021 7:59 PM in response to crabpaws

Just connect the Ethernet cable directly to the Mac Mini's Ethernet Ports and setup File Sharing and/or Screen Sharing

see > https://support.apple.com/guide/mac-help/set-up-file-sharing-on-mac-mh17131/mac

and/or > https://support.apple.com/guide/mac-help/turn-screen-sharing-on-or-off-mh11848/mac

If the 2014 is using Ethernet, then just get a simple Ethernet Switch and build a small Wired Ethernet Network.

for some switch examples, see > 5 port ethernet switches

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Answer 3

crabpaws Author

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May 26, 2021 8:25 PM in response to den.thed

The 2010 Mac mini does not have a monitor, I can't access its settings unless I set it up as an external server to the 2014 Mac mini in order to turn on File Sharing or Screen Sharing on the 2010.

Rather than an Ethernet switch, I though daisy-chain would save the purchase of extra hardware. It used to just work.

Are you saying Thunderbolt Bridge doesn't work, give up on it?

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Answer 4

crabpaws Author

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May 27, 2021 12:19 AM in response to den.thed

Thanks for taking a look at this.

Those links do not exclude Ethernet as the cable. The devices on Ethernet show up on the bus. See https://support.apple.com/guide/mac-help/connect-two-mac-computers-using-ethernet-mchlp1413/10.13/mac/10.13

No, I don't have an extra monitor. I have a 2018 Macbook Air (Mojave) but don't see documentation to make it into a monitor for a 2010 Mac mini (Sierra), though I have a Thunderbolt 3 to Ethernet/USB adapter. (This adapter has female HDMI as well.) I don't have a Firewire cable or a Thunderbolt to Firewire adapter.

Other than Firewire, the 2010 Mac mini has USB 2.0 ports and an HDMI port. I guess I could try my HDMI TV as a monitor for the 2010 Mac mini. It seems I have to turn on all its sharing settings and maybe wifi anyway.

But I still have to link the 2010 Mac mini to the 2014 Mac mini. I was hoping to transfer files and reformat the 2010 Mac mini eventually.

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How to configure Thunderbolt bridge for Ethernet chained Mac minis?

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