Slashdot Mirror

← Back to Stories (view on slashdot.org)

Apple Releases Preview of IP over FireWire

Posted by pudge on from the now-i-really-need-to-remember-the-difference-between-MB-and-Mb dept.

A user writes, "Apple has finally released IP over FireWire drivers for Mac OS X. It is now possible to connect two or more Macs together with FireWire cables and if needed, FireWire hubs."

9 of 116 comments (clear)

  1. cluster me crazy by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Interesting

    Does firewire offer any advantages over gigabit ethernet for building compute clusters?

    1. Re:cluster me crazy by kuwan · · Score: 5, Interesting
      Well, a Firewire network would be a lot cheaper. For a gigabit ethernet network you'd have to get a gigabit switch which are pretty expensive (at least $800-$900). For a Firewire netword you wouldn't even need a hub as computers can be daisy-chained together (assuming they have at least two Firewire ports). But if you do need a Firewire hub, they're pretty cheap compared to a gigabit hub/switch.

      Also, many Macs can't be upgraded to gigabit ethernet. iMacs, iBooks, older PowerBooks, and older PowerMac don't have gigabit ethernet, but many of them do have Firewire. So depending on what you have, building a Firewire network is much more attractive than trying to build a gigabit ethernet network.

      --
      infested with jello like fishes no melotron wishes
  2. Windows... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Interesting

    Is it possible to connect macs with windows machines using this?

  3. FireWire Target Disk Mode by justzisguy · · Score: 3, Interesting

    I've been using FireWire Target Disk Mode for transferring large files from my PowerBook G4 (original release, didn't include Gigabit Ethernet) to my desktop system. Finally I no l longer have to shut down the machine to sync them up, now if only they get AppleTalk working...

  4. It's at least another option by Spencerian · · Score: 5, Interesting

    Currently you can connect most Macs together by a crossover Ethernet cable for networking. Alternatively, if you just need to move something between two boxes, you can use a FireWire cable and mount another hard drive with Target Disk Mode (which someone noted earlier).

    So IP over FireWire adds to the diversity. Today, you don't even need a crossover cable with the Gigabit Ethernet ports on most Macs. Just use a regular CAT5 to connect them.

    Having this option, from my techie POV, allows me to connect to another Mac should the user's Ethernet port go cranky. I'd have to think a little more for additional applications, but perhaps a cheap, high speed FireWire LAN for gaming or small home networks would be useful. I would think you can share a cable modem connection in this manner, too. I better RTFdocs.

    --
    Vos teneo officium eram periculosus ut vos recipero is.
  5. 1600 Mbit Firewire by ibib · · Score: 3, Interesting

    When we've got faster Firewire, like 800-1600 Mbit, this will make a huge difference. Instead of Investing in expensive Gigabit-Ethernet switches and cables, just use Firewire instead. Maybe not the ideal solution for all, but for small companies and Lan-parties =) this could be great.

  6. second NIC card by xj9000 · · Score: 2, Interesting

    another advatage i see to this would be using the FireWire port as a second ethernet device. You could connect your mac to two seperate networks allowing "secure" communication through one card and standard communication through the other. If you already have a FireWire port why add a second NIC card... which might not be possible in a portable.

  7. Ok, IP over FW but... by Znonymous+Coward · · Score: 2, Interesting

    How do you connect it to an ethernet switch or hub? Or is this strictly for FW to FW connectins?

    Any ideas?

    --

    Karma: The shiznight, mostly because I am the Drizzle.

  8. Crossover cable by SwissMike · · Score: 3, Interesting

    Actually you can use normal cat5 cable to connect any modern Mac and dont have to use a crossover cable. Works for example on my iBook 500 which doesnt have Gigabit Ethernet... It even works when i connect my iBook to a PC! Thats one of the little nice details which make Macs attracting more on more of my computer science student fellows...