Sharing large files between two Mac Pros

[cbt3]

I am a video editor and currently have a RAID6 storage tower with miniSAS connection, it has 500-700mb/s read/write speeds. Currently I work alone, and do not need share anything. My company is hiring another editor to work with me and we need to be able to have access to each others files to edit. I have the computers networked together through CAT6, and assumed the speed would be pretty fast; however, I am getting speeds of approx 80-90mb/s. That really isn't ideal for editing. Is there a better way to do this? I know I can get a NAS but wouldn't that still bottleneck at 90mb/s? I have tried linking the computer together through a gigabit switch, and also by even connecting a ethernet cable from one computer to the other. Is there a better way to do this?

 

[BrianBaughn]

Copying files from/to his Mac Pro? Unless he also has a storage device that's faster than a standard hard drive you are limited by that.

 

[cbt3]

yes it is, it is a new Mac Pro; however these speed tests are just from AJA system test. So I am not copying from one hard drive to another. Either way, the new Mac Pro boot drive runs at about 1,000+mb/s so that shouldn't be an issue. Idealy I would like to be able to be on the new Mac, and open up final cut or premiere files on the RAID array on the other computer and edit without an issue.

 

[cbt3]

Also, I am able to get 120+mb/s at speedtest.net with our internet connection, shouldn't that be slower then directly connecting two computers together?

 

[BrianBaughn]

Could you give a more detailed account of all the networking involved with the two computers?

 

[dogbait]

@cbt3 I'd recommend trying a Thunderbolt cable between the two Mac Pros. That should give you 20x the performance of a single Gigabit link (1Gbps vs 20Gbps).

See here for setting it up.

Otherwise if you have a few $k and you anticipate more than two Macs needing to share files you could also consider 10Gbps Ethernet. That would require 10Gb Thunderbolt adapters and a 10 Gb network switch.

 

[cbt3]

Sorry I didn't include the details earlier

Computer 1
Model Name: Mac Pro
Model Identifier: MacPro4,1
Processor Name: Quad-Core Intel Xeon
Processor Speed: 2.26 GHz
Number of Processors: 2
Total Number of Cores: 8
L2 Cache (per Core): 256 KB
L3 Cache (per Processor): 8 MB
Memory: 16 GB
OSX 10.9

Currently has a ARC-1880ixl PCIe miniSAS RAID card
Which is running a 12TB RAID 6 Array

Computer 2
Model Name: Mac Pro
Model Identifier: MacPro6,1
Processor Name: 6-Core Intel Xeon E5
Processor Speed: 3.5 GHz
Number of Processors: 1
Total Number of Cores: 6
L2 Cache (per Core): 256 KB
L3 Cache: 12 MB
Memory: 16 GB
OSX 10.10

@cbt3 I'd recommend trying a Thunderbolt cable between the two Mac Pros. That should give you 20x the performance of a single Gigabit link (1Gbps vs 20Gbps).

This is probably the best solution, however I don't have Thunderbolt on the older Mac, Although they do make PCI adapters for the older machines, however I would need like a 10-15ft Thunerbolt cable to run them together across our decks. I usually see those max out at 6; also, could you daisy chain, mac-> thunderbolt->(thunderbolt-based)RAID array->thunderbolt->mac. and have both macs access the same storage unit? like a NAS?

 

[filmak]

Although they do make PCI adapters for the older machines

I think that it can't be used with any motherboard , it needs more than the pci 2.0 connections...

Features
Features
The Thunderbolt™ 2 AIC may be connected to the 5-pin Thunderbolt™ AIC header on your motherboard for Thunderbolt™ 2 technology. The mini DisplayPort supports up to six daisy chained Thunderbolt™ devices with data transfer rates at 20Gbps.

 

[BrianBaughn]

You should be able to get the 500-700 mb/s you mentioned with the ethernet...the original problem.

Something has to control the network. If there are absolutely no other networking components involved (the original computer is not on the internet?) then the Macs have to handle it. It should be a plug and work situation but network settings can sometimes make the connection get wonky.

 

[ActionableMango]

Gigabit Ethernet should be the fastest common connection you have between those two computers. BrianBaughn is correct, something is wrong with your network. It should be much, much faster.

PCIe Mac Pros will never get Thunderbolt. That adapter you linked is designed for brand-specific Thunderbolt-ready motherboards only.

 

[SoyCapitanSoyCapitan]

10gbit Ethernet cards or both Macs with 12gbit SAS is your fastest choice. That Thunderbolt card only works with PC motherboards with a GIPO header.

 

[SoyCapitanSoyCapitan]

You should be able to get the 500-700 mb/s you mentioned with the ethernet...the original problem.

Gigabit Ethernet is limited to about 70-80MB/s

10gbit = 750ish

20gbit thunderbolt = 1350ish

 

[AidenShaw]

Gigabit Ethernet is limited to about 70-80MB/s

Gigabit Ethernet raw is 125 MB/sec.

Many file sharing protocols easily reach 110 MB/sec or a bit more (CIFS or NFS).

 

[SoyCapitanSoyCapitan]

Gigabit Ethernet raw is 125 MB/sec.

Many file sharing protocols easily reach 110 MB/sec or a bit more (CIFS or NFS).

I'm subtracting overhead that occurs in most usage scenarios.

 

[AidenShaw]

I'm subtracting overhead that occurs in most usage scenarios.

But the CIFS protocol that Apple uses for file sharing has much less overhead - 110 to 115 MB/s on GbE is easily reached.

 

[BrianBaughn]

Gigabit Ethernet is limited to about 70-80MB/s

10gbit = 750ish

20gbit thunderbolt = 1350ish

Right. Don't know what I was thinking...