Why do I have very slow screen-sharing of headless server?

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Level 1

19 points

Why do I have very slow screen-sharing of headless server?

I running OS X Server on a brand new superfast MacMini with 16GB of RAM and SSD drives. Server runs like a champ.

However it is a headless CPU which I control from a 2011 MBP in my office using Screen Sharing over the local ethernet connection (both computers plugged into the same TimeCapsule/Router).

The screen refresh/response rate is VERY slow. Lots of trails when I move the mouse, slow refresh to show changes, etc. Ironically, I get much faster results when I tunnel into another computer on my network from outside using VPN over the internet.

Any ideas why I'm getting such a slow response? Seems like a wired connection over the local ethernet should give almost realtime performance. (I've tested when there is no other network traffic and still get the same result)

Thank you.

Mac mini, OS X Server, 2.6Ghz i7, 16GB RAM, 2x256GB SSD

Posted on Aug 2, 2013 5:44 PM

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Answer 1

Best reply

Linc Davis

Level 10

209,535 points

Aug 2, 2013 7:12 PM in response to mlondon

Use a dummy VGA monitor as described in this blog:

Build a Dummy Dongle for a headless Mac mini

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Answer 2

Feb 11, 2014 8:00 AM in response to mlondon

I had the same issue and didn't want to give up my Thunderbolt port, so I opted to get a Gefen HDMI Detective Plus. What this does is make the CPU think an HDMI display is attached so that your graphics CPU 'unlocks' and full speed is back. The Gefen box can either 'learn' the code of any HDMI display in your office/home, or you can preset it as a stock 1080p display. TOTALLY solved my problem... even though it did cost $85.

Apple needs to fix this as so many people use the MINI headless.

http://www.gefen.com/kvm/ext-hdmi-edidp.jsp?prod_id=8005

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Answer 3

Apr 30, 2016 6:58 PM in response to mlondon

This still on-going bug two years later in OSX is not likely to be fixed the two not great work arounds are:

1. Make a build a faked dongle to trick OSX to by pass this bug.
http://apple.stackexchange.com/questions/152354/screensharing-slow-even-over-gig abit-ethernet

2. Turn off OSX screen sharing and install your own VNC server

http://www.tightvnc.com/

https://www.realvnc.com/download/

I have also seen some people resolve this by buying OSX Server ( $20 ) from the app store.

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