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IP over Firewire Updated

Posted by pudge on from the scary-sweet dept.

foniksonik writes "Apple released an update to its IP over FireWire software. 'Now the IP over FireWire Preview Release adds support for using the Internet Protocol - commonly known as TCP/IP - over FireWire. ... Using the existing Network Preferences Pane, users can add FireWire as their IP network node to connect and communicate between two machines. ... In all cases, Rendezvous can be used if desired for configuration, name resolution, and discovery.'" Now it is time for YA debate on FireWire vs. Ethernet. Let the festivities commence!

6 of 101 comments (clear)

  1. some info. by sirfunk · · Score: 5, Informative

    this page, has plenty of info on tcp/ip over firewire.. w/ a quick read looks like length is the biggest problem, 2nd to no implimentation supporting more then 2 devices.

  2. Gigabit ethernet versus firewire by goombah99 · · Score: 4, Insightful

    So how is this better than gigabit ethernet which is standard on most macs?
    Is it just another way of communicating that perhaps allows one to avoid a congested/insecure ethernet backbone when connecting two neigboring macs?
    what's the big deal?

    --
    Some drink at the fountain of knowledge. Others just gargle.
    1. Re:Gigabit ethernet versus firewire by Duck_Taffy · · Score: 4, Informative

      Gigabit isn't standard on most macs. It's standard on most pro model macs - the towers, and the 15" and 17" PowerBooks. Not available on the iMacs, eMacs, iBooks, or 12" PowerBook. Those are only available in the 10/100 variety of ethernet. Besides which, the first models of 15" PowerBook G4 came in 10/100 only, as well as the first two generations of G4 towers. So yeah, lots of computers currently in use that don't have Gigabit.

      The other advantage is that FireWire hubs are much cheaper than Gigabit Ethernet switches.

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      Karma: Ran over your dogma.
    2. Re:Gigabit ethernet versus firewire by Gropo · · Score: 5, Informative

      OS X features Multilink Multihoming, which allows multiple concurrent interfaces to IP ports. Conceivably, if you wished to cluster two Macs you could use 1394b, 802.11g and 1000BaseT (and even the 56k modems, I guess) simultaneously to pass packets to the client machine, thereby alleviating your bandwidth bottleneck by a huge margin.

      I wouldn't say "better," I'd say "extends the functionailty of the machine"

      --
      I hate Grammar Nazi's
    3. Re:Gigabit ethernet versus firewire by tupps · · Score: 4, Informative

      Just for those who are wondering:

      Netgear 4 port 10/100/1000 Switch $725 (aussie dollars)

      Belkin 4 port Firewire Hub -- $149 (again AUD)

      So 4~5 times the price difference

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      Go out and get sailing!
  3. Useful when Ethernet is "in use" by macmastery · · Score: 5, Informative

    IP over FireWire is most useful when the Ethernet port is in use (such as, on a server). Let's say you have a full-time web server, serving over its ethernet interface. Say you need to upload more content, but you can't take that ethernet port or that server offline. You can upload the content and let the ethernet continue to serve as much as it can. It's handy and you don't need a complex networking solution.

    Also, consumer machines can have faster file transfers without shutting one machine down into target disk mode. I think it's supposed to be simple and fast, not scalable and fastEST.