Very hot in target disk mode

[miniConvert]

I'm running a standard-spec current-gen Mac Mini Server in Thunderbolt Target Disk mode so another Mac Mini Server can clone its OS drive to it as a redundant spare.

My problem is, while my main Mac Mini Server runs nice and cool, the one in Target Disk mode runs very hot. It's not being written to often at all, so it's not like the HDDs are being worked hard. In fact, I only have one of the internal HDDs mounted on the main Mac Mini, so one is doing diddly squat.

Does anyone have any experience with this? I don't want to damage the spare Mac Mini... it should be more than happy to run in Target Disk mode all day every day without breaking a sweat!

TYIA

 

[shortcut3d]

I'm running a standard-spec current-gen Mac Mini Server in Thunderbolt Target Disk mode so another Mac Mini Server can clone its OS drive to it as a redundant spare.

My problem is, while my main Mac Mini Server runs nice and cool, the one in Target Disk mode runs very hot. It's not being written to often at all, so it's not like the HDDs are being worked hard. In fact, I only have one of the internal HDDs mounted on the main Mac Mini, so one is doing diddly squat.

Does anyone have any experience with this? I don't want to damage the spare Mac Mini... it should be more than happy to run in Target Disk mode all day every day without breaking a sweat!

TYIA

This is not unusual for Target Disk Mode because the Operating System controlled power management / profiles are not in effect. The Operating System can throttle CPU down to 5% and adjust the clock frequency. The Link State Power Management is also not activate which means the PCIe bus is not throttled back.

Your Mac mini should be fine running in Target Disk Mode. I'm sure the temps are not higher than using Handbrake to encode 1080p. If for some reason the system gets too hot it would shutdown because that protection is in the EFI / SMC.

I would think the Thunderbolt cable would fail first given my experience using them 24/7 for extended periods.

 

[miniConvert]

Thanks, I'll keep an eye on it. And fingers crossed that my Thunderbolt cables are a beacon of reliability