server on two interfaces, how to prioritize one connection

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server on two interfaces, how to prioritize one connection

I've got a 2013 Mac Pro with a Promise SANLink2 thunderbolt to 10 GbE ethernet adapter. Everything works the way it should, but the server I'm connecting to is ALSO available on my standard ethernet connection. Everytime I restart, or wake from sleep, I've got to manually go to network prefs, disable ethernet, then connect to the server via thunderbolt interface, than re-enable ethernet to get the 10 GbE connection. It's simple, but annoying to do 5 times a day. I've already tried re-ordering the interface priority list with Thunderbolt at the top slot... but still defaults to ethernet.

Anyway to connect to a specific server always with one connection??

P.S. each interface has it's own IP address, and I suspect there's a solution here, but I don't know what.

Thanks

Mac Pro (Late 2013), OS X Yosemite (10.10.2), Promise SANLink2 Thunderbolt

Posted on Feb 27, 2015 5:50 AM

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Answer 1

The hatter

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Feb 27, 2015 6:17 AM in response to julesvm

These two tips, first is on Wifi but same principle

http://macperformanceguide.com/blog/2014/20141118_0958-OSX_Yosemite-disable-WIFI .html

How to Prioritize Network Interfaces for Peak Performance

http://macperformanceguide.com/Network-HowToPrioritize.html

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Answer 2

julesvm Author

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Feb 27, 2015 6:21 AM in response to The hatter

Thanks Hatter - frustratingly, this is what I tried first, but it always defaults to ethernet. I suspect it has to do with the delayed boot-time of the SANlink - it takes ~15 sec to get going. My working theory is that OS X is checking for it first, not finding a connection, then immediately moving on to standard ethernet.

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Answer 3

Linc Davis

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Feb 27, 2015 8:04 AM in response to julesvm

What is the point of connecting two different interfaces to the same network?

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Answer 4

julesvm Author

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Feb 27, 2015 9:46 AM in response to Linc Davis

I'm in an office environment where the central server is available on the general office ethernet network (with internet) - my workstation, an edit bay, has the added 10 GBE for streaming high res footage connected directly to the server.

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Answer 5

Linc Davis

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Feb 27, 2015 10:10 AM in response to julesvm

Either I don't understand what you mean, or the configuration makes no sense. If the interfaces are in fact connected to the same network, disconnect the slower one.

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Answer 6

julesvm Author

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Feb 27, 2015 10:33 AM in response to Linc Davis

the slower one has the internet... the fast one does not

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Answer 7

The hatter

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Feb 27, 2015 10:36 AM in response to julesvm

Schematic ?

You > switch (A) ==== > server

You > SANLink2 thunderbolt to 10 GbE Ethernet interface > server (bypassing switch A and all the other traffic)

I imagine the throughput via switch A to server takes longer to transfer a given set of files, and that there is more congestion on that loop than your SANLink2 thunderbolt to 10 GbE Ethernet interface.

Your own toll road high speed lane for your own "Netflix" video with fatter pipes.

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Answer 8

Linc Davis

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Feb 27, 2015 10:39 AM in response to julesvm

Then they're not connected to the same network. The one with the Internet connection belongs at the top of the service list. Packets addressed to the other network will be routed automatically to the other interface. It's far from clear that you actually have a problem.

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Answer 9

julesvm Author

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Feb 27, 2015 10:40 AM in response to The hatter

schematic:

Interface 1:

Internet & server > Network Switch > Me

Interface 2:

Server > Me (over 10GBE)

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