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  3. Ethernet or Thunderbolt Adapter for VSL Mac Mini Slave

  • Ethernet or Thunderbolt Adapter for VSL Mac Mini Slave

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    I recently purchased a Mac Mini 2018 with the upgraded Ethernet. It has four Thunderbolt 3 ports and two USB 3.1 ports. 

    I have a Mac Mini 2011 server. That too has one Thunderbolt port, though it is only rated at "up to 10 Gbps." In other words, it's the slower, earlier Thunderbolt. 

    I have three working eLicenser keys for Vienna Instruments Pro and Vienna Ensemble Pro. 

    The new Mac Mini has the 10 GB Ethernet which (I'm assuming) doesn't get me much since the old mac Mini is just standard Ethernet.

    Using the new Mac Mini 2018 as the host, driving Logic Pro on Catalina, is it possible to connect to the older Mac Mini as a server with Thunderbolt directly (no Ethernet)? On paper, Thunderbolt 3 to early Thunderbolt would be faster than old Ethernet.  

    Another thought: they make Ethernet to Thunderbolt adapters. Could a VSL user connect the Ethernet adapter to  the new Mac Mini, the Thunderbolt to the old Mac Mini, set up a server that way and (theoreticlaly) have faster performance? (Again, the slower Ethernet on the old Mac Mini would be bypassed.)

    It would also spare me the purchase of a router (my third computer is a Mac Pro 3,1 early 2008). But I don't know if A. a server can be configured with Thunderbolt, B. I'm willing to puzzle it out , or C. the gain in speed is of any real world consequence. 

    I'm not hardware savvy. This is the first time I've worked with three computers for Vienna Ensemble. So forgive my unenlightened questions and responses.