I want to make the drive on a MacMini late 2014 part of a network that includes a MacMini2024. The old mini has a Thunderbolt port, and the new Mini has three Thunderbolt 4 ports. I assume that the "Thunderbolt bridge" is available on the new MacMini. Which cables or adapters do I need to essentially hardwire the two computers together so that the old Mini's drive shows up on the new Mini?
Mac mini, macOS 10.14
You don't need a cable if both Macs connect to the same network.
If you enable File Sharing on the 2014 Mac mini, then you can access that computer's drive from the others connected by ethernet or wi-fi.
Set up file sharing on Mac - Apple Support
Edit: of course there's always target disk mode:
Transfer files between two Mac computers using target disk mode - Apple Support
If you don't plan to use the old Mac mini as other than a storage unit, you might consider removing the drive from the interior of the mini and dropping it into an external drive enclosure that you can plug into another Mac for direct and network access (if sharing).
According to the Support document for Target Disk Mode, you would have to use a Thunderbolt connection to use a Late 2014 Mac mini as a Target Disk for a 2024 Mac mini.
You could make one with the aid of an Apple Thunderbolt 3-to-2 adapter ($50) and a Thunderbolt 1/2 cable ($30+), but then you would need to leave the 2014 Mac mini running as a Target Disk (and nothing else) whenever you were access the files on its internal drive from the 2024 Mac mini.
Instead of spending the $80+, it might be easier to use network file sharing – or to simply back up the contents of the old Mac mini's internal drive onto a USB HDD or SSD (with the aid of Time Machine, Carbon Copy Cloner, or SuperDuper!), and then transfer that drive to the new Mac mini.
Thanks - you're reminding me that the wifi router has several ethernet ports.
(I'm keeping the old Mini running on Mojave as long as possible because the software on there is bought and paid for, locally installed, and still perfectly functional.)
ConnieMcC wrote:
...(I'm keeping the old Mini running on Mojave as long as possible because the software on there is bought and paid for, locally installed, and still perfectly functional.)
Those are good reasons. 🙂
How to mount Mac hard drive on another Mac using Thunderbolt to Thunderbolt 4
