Resolved Best way to link a MP 7,1 to a MP 5,1

[Dolphins1972]

I just purchased the 7,1 and I want to keep the 5,1 as storage for the 7,1 but don't want to use a network cable. I also need to run my sound system that is connected to the 5,1 because the 7,1 only has a headphone jack. Below are the 7,1 specs and the 5,1 specs are in my signature.

2019 Mac Pro 7,1 Sequoia 15.1.1
3.2GHz Intel Xeon W 16-Core Processor
Turbo Boost up to 4.4GHz
38MB cache
96 GB Memory
12-channel memory controller
2 TB SSD Storage
Up to 3.4GB/s sequential read and write performance
Encrypted by Apple T2 Security Chip

DUAL Radeon 6900 XT Graphics Cards

Expansion Slots
Two MPX Modules or up to four double-wide PCI Express card slots
Three single-wide PCI Express card slots
One half-length PCI Express card slot with Apple I/O card installed
Default Input / Output
Apple I/O card with two USB 3 ports and two Thunderbolt 3 ports
Two Thunderbolt 3 ports on the top of the tower enclosure
Two 10Gb Ethernet ports
3.5 mm headphone jack with headset support

 

[hobowankenobi]

Not sure what you are trying to do...how do you propose using the storage from one Mac to another if not by network connection?

There used to be IP over FireWire, but:

• As far as I know, this has been depreciated and is no longer working on late-model MacOS
• It is still a network connection

Seems like that is a deal breaker...not to even try to unpack the audio question.

 

[Dolphins1972]

I want to use 1 mouse and one keyboard to have full control of both machines from the 7,1 which has Sequoia and the 5,1 has Monterey. Apple Universal Control will not work on the 5,1. I have 2 monitors so that's not an issue.

 

[Bigwaff]

I want to use 1 mouse and one keyboard to have full control of both machines from the 7,1

Not sure I understand but sounds like you want USB wired keyboard and mouse plugged into USB KVM.

 

[hobowankenobi]

Yep. USB KVM. If you were using a single monitor, you would need to verify the connection as well as supported resolutions...and high-end KVMs are pricey. With 2 separate monitors always connected, you should be able to use a lower-cost unit and ignore the monitor connection...something like this should do it.

 

[Dolphins1972]

Yeah, I think that will be necessary to accomplish what I want to do but I also want to be able to move files between the two machines. For example, if I edit a video or create graphics on the 7,1 I then want to have the ability to move them to the 5,1 at high speed.

The problem is, storage on the 7,1 comes at a high price so I'd like to use what I already have to accomplish my goals. I already have 20TB of storage on the 5,1 but only 2TB on 7,1.

I'm thinking the KVM switch along with a 10Gbps USB cable connected to the USB 3.2 ports available on both machines.

 

[tsialex]

I'm thinking the KVM switch along with a 10Gbps USB cable connected to the USB 3.2 ports available on both machines.

USB is not a networking port, you can't make a network with just a USB cable between to Macs, like you can with FireWire or Thunderbolt.

 

[hobowankenobi]

I don't think the USB protocol has the capability to do this. Thunderbolt can.

It is tricky...as Thuderberolt can, and those use USB C ports, but you need a Thunderbolt cable, and (obviously) the work happens on the TB bus, not the USB bus. Info here.

 

[mattspace]

I tried Thunderbolt networking between my 7,1 and an older TB1 Mini, and the effect was that the 7,1 would wake immediately after going to sleep.

Like almost everything Thunderbolt, Thunderbolt networking is a janky, secondrate way to do something better accomplished by a dedicated cable / protocol.

 

[mattspace]

The problem is, storage on the 7,1 comes at a high price so I'd like to use what I already have to accomplish my goals. I already have 20TB of storage on the 5,1 but only 2TB on 7,1.

Get a USB multi-disk drive tower, and put your 5,1 disks in it. It'll use less power, make less noise, and actually work as local disks, rather than futzing around with SMB. For audio, get a USB or TB audio interface.

Keeping the older machine in service alongside the new machine is going to have diminishing returns, especially given you're using it with an OpenCore setup.

 

[tsialex]

I tried Thunderbolt networking between my 7,1 and an older TB1 Mini, and the effect was that the 7,1 would wake immediately after going to sleep.

Like almost everything Thunderbolt, Thunderbolt networking is a janky, secondrate way to do something better accomplished by a dedicated cable / protocol.

Besides that, TB with a MacPro5,1 is a complete hassle, always having to reboot to work and the MacPro5,1 that OP have DOES NOT have a TB card.

10GB Ethernet is the way to go.

 

[bax2023]

10Gb Eth link all the way.

 

[Dolphins1972]

Besides that, TB with a MacPro5,1 is a complete hassle, always having to reboot to work and the MacPro5,1 that OP have DOES NOT have a TB card.

10GB Ethernet is the way to go.

Thank you. I was confused when I read the capabilities of the Allegro in were it says Thunderbolt compatibility. You're right, it's not a Thunderbolt card. I'm going to set it up with 10GB Ethernet cable and KVM switch for now but will eventually add storage and a sound card to the 7,1.

 

[Dolphins1972]

It's me again,

What KVM switch would be best for this setup?

The 7,1 and the 5,1.
2 monitors, 1 is 4K and the other is an old 1080p max gaming monitor.
Logitec Z906 5.1 sound system.
Logitec C920s Pro webcam for Zoom meetings.

 

[bmoraski]

10GB Ethernet is the way to go.

This is how I do it. Works beautiful. No hassles.

 

[avro707]

I want to use 1 mouse and one keyboard to have full control of both machines from the 7,1 which has Sequoia and the 5,1 has Monterey. Apple Universal Control will not work on the 5,1. I have 2 monitors so that's not an issue.

I have upgraded WIFI and Bluetooth on my 5,1 and universal control does work, was able to share keyboard and mouse. The 5,1 had Monterey installed.

Files can also be copied between the 7,1 and 5,1 that way but larger files take time.

 

[Dolphins1972]

I have upgraded WIFI and Bluetooth on my 5,1 and universal control does work, was able to share keyboard and mouse. The 5,1 had Monterey installed.

Files can also be copied between the 7,1 and 5,1 that way but larger files take time.

Thank you, that's good to know but I'm going with an Ethernet cable and KVM for fast file transfers. Both my mouse and keyboard are USB-A and I never upgraded my WiFi or Bluetooth.

 

[avro707]

Thank you, that's good to know but I'm going with an Ethernet cable and KVM for fast file transfers. Both my mouse and keyboard are USB-A and I never upgraded my WiFi or Bluetooth.

The other useful function is airdrop from things like phones, even document scanning from iPhone camera.

 

[Dolphins1972]

The other useful function is airdrop from things like phones, even document scanning from iPhone camera.

I have a Samsung Galaxy A54 and I have not been able to make Bluetooth work with either the 5,1 or the 7,1.

In both instances they show as paired/connected but if I try to send to file from phone to either Mac I get, failed to send error. If I try the other way from mac to phone, there's no option to send files.

I believe Airdrop is for Apple devices only?

 

[Dolphins1972]

 

[avro707]

I have a Samsung Galaxy A54 and I have not been able to make Bluetooth work with either the 5,1 or the 7,1.

In both instances they show as paired/connected but if I try to send to file from phone to either Mac I get, failed to send error. If I try the other way from mac to phone, there's no option to send files.

I believe Airdrop is for Apple devices only?

Probably, I have never used any Android phones.

 

[Dolphins1972]

Oh well,

I could not find any definitive answers to my questions. Too many variants, not enough time-tested evidence. I don't usually go for the latest and greatest. I've learned to wait it out with the tried-and-true formula. Every KVM switch that is not astronomically priced is buggy at best from what I've read.

There are several issues I would need definitive answers to before I can forward.

1. One monitor being 4K and the other being an older model with a max of 1080p.
2. The 5,1 has no USB-C ports, even the Allegro 3.2 is USB-A.
3. I've read lots of complaints about sleep issues with KVM switches on Macs and PCs.
4. Will there be any issues with my sound system?
5. My biggest issue is compatibility with the 5,1, and there's not much info online.

So I decided to eliminate any potential problems and just link the two macs via Ethernet cable and use 2 separate keyboards, 2 mice, and 2 monitors. This was also the cheapest way to go since I already have most of what I need.

 

[Dolphins1972]

We don't need no stinkin' KVM switches!

I can control everything with 1 mouse & 1 keyboard. Screen sharing, file sharing, my sound system, everything as far as I can tell. Everything works flawlessly without any lag that I can detect. I haven't tried installing anything on the 5,1 yet. The one thing I noticed is they can't share internet access, Apple warns that doing so might get you booted from your ISP. But I see no reason why I can't connect access to the secondary Ethernet port and assign it it's own IP address.

I'm a happy guy now, All that worrying was for nothing.

EDIT: Yep, I can install apps to the 5,1 using the 7,1.