Going from xserve to Mac Mini Server

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pvteyes99 Author

Level 2

156 points

Going from xserve to Mac Mini Server

I have a graphic design studio (design for print and web sites) that requires a new server.

Currently around 6-8 users working on files (InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator etc) directly from the server.

The server is configured with RAID1 and has aggregated ethernet.

I am looking to replace our 2007 xserve 2.66Ghz Xeon with a 2012 Mac Mini Server.

I expect there will be a drop in performance in terms of the speed with which files can be copied and opened over the network.

My main points of concern are: the speed of the internal HDs, and lack of ethernet aggregation.

Are there any ways of limiting this drop in performance, ie use an external thunderbolt RAID (I am thinking of the LaCie 2big Thunderbolt™ 2 6TB http://store.apple.com/uk/product/HFYG2ZM/A/lacie-2big-thunderbolt-2-series-raid -hard-drive?fnode=cb26126edba6d5cf1f20a1188ab2f9a15577d8779cb89532f051d642f0462 5 9ef9b142bff2e3ddede4276fdae4b4074b80ffc3c6968f0fa0f13643559d04820cd08bdea7601a2 5 1154a61b6497c20fc6ec726f25583cf16d5946c93865ea04dbfaea9c26291ec67aef08afd262a35 c 7c)

And would it be possible to use a Thunderbolt to ethernet adapter connected to the external RAID to create the aggregated ethernet?

Any help or insight into this matter would be greatly appreciated.

Richard

Posted on Sep 11, 2014 3:22 AM

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Answer 1

Sep 11, 2014 7:41 AM in response to pvteyes99

Yes you can use an external Thunderbolt RAID and this will be a lot faster than using internal 2.5" hard disks. Be aware that some Lacie models require using software RAID i.e. they do not have hardware RAID. I use a Promise Pegasus R4 Thunderbolt RAID.

Yes you can use an Apple Thunderbolt to Ethernet adapter and it can be used to aggregate (bond) Ethernet connections. If your using other Thunderbolt devices e.g. a Thunderbolt RAID then it needs to be the last device in the chain. I use the HDMI to DVI adapter to connect a monitor so I can have a monitor connected without worrying about Thunderbolt devices.

There are also Thunderbolt to 10Gbps Ethernet adapters available but that is probably overkill.

There are USB3 to Ethernet adapters also available, but I have found them less reliable than Apple's Thunderbolt adapter.

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Answer 2

pvteyes99 Author

Level 2

156 points

Sep 11, 2014 8:11 AM in response to John Lockwood

Thanks for the concise reply John.

I think the Lacie drive I am considering is RAID hardware, would you be able to check the link and confirm for me?

Any ideas if this will be as adequate as the Promise Pegasus R4 Thunderbolt RAID for serving up image and InDesign files of about average size of 40MB to 6-8 users?

As we are coming from an xserve we have taken for granted the speed at which it can handle the demands we put on it without breaking into a sweat.

I am just worried I will get this new system and be disappointed in a big drop in file access speeds.

Thanks again for your time and appreciate it is hard to be definitive in the answer as there are numerous factors involved that can effect the end result.

All the best,

Richard

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Answer 3

Sep 11, 2014 10:08 AM in response to pvteyes99

6-8 users is actually quite small, and 40MB files is also not anything to worry about. I moved from Mac Pros (older ones) to Mac minis and if anything they are faster.

The Lacie you linked to has hardware RAID. As a comparison the following does not https://www.lacie.com/uk/products/product.htm?id=10573

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Answer 4

Aug 3, 2016 3:02 AM in response to pvteyes99

Hey Richard,

Digging up an old post. I'm also running a design studio and looking to set up a Mac Mini with LaCie 2big Thunderbolt 2 Series RAID-hard drive. Did you go through with this? What specs did you choose for the Mac Mini—would love some feedback on whether I should invest in boosting the memory and process on the Mac Mini. Any help s appreciated. Thanks!

Best,

Eric

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