Can I connect 2 minis with Ethernet cable to get internet into one?

Question

Level 7

23,736 points

Can I connect 2 minis with Ethernet cable to get internet into one?

I have 3 Mac minis in my computing room.

The M2 and M4 have no problem connecting to the internet wirelessly but the 2012 i5 mini has always been problematic, sometimes working fine but often very slow or nothing at all web-wise. At the moment the progress bar is stuck 15% of the way across a web page.

So is it possible and safe to connect one of the M class minis to the i5 with an Ethernet cable to enable it to access the web?

I know I could just "try it" but I am very wary about what, how and where I plug items into computers.

Mac mini

Posted on Apr 22, 2025 01:19 AM

Reply

Answer 1

Apr 22, 2025 04:46 AM in response to Ian R. Brown

On the M2 or M4 Mini what you are looking for would be in Settings->General->Sharing.

Select the "i" in Internet Sharing.
Turn Internet Sharing on
Select the M2 or M4 interface you want to share
Under "To Devices Using", select the appropriate ethernet adapter
Connect the 2012 Mini to the Mac that is sharing the interface.
Depending on how the 2012 Internet is set up you may need to adjust settings or just set to Auto making sure

that the ethernet adapter is at the top of the connection priority list or simply disable WiFi.

Reply

Answer 2

den.thed

Level 10

88,810 points

Apr 22, 2025 07:26 AM in response to Ian R. Brown

How far away is your Router from your computing room and does it have an Ethernet access point..?

If you have or can run an Ethernet cable from the Router to the computing room, then you can use a 5 port switch to create a small Ethernet Network that all of the Mac mini's can connect to.

https://www.amazon.com/NETGEAR-5-Port-Gigabit-Ethernet-Unmanaged/dp/B07S98YLHM?source=ps-sl-shoppingads-lpcontext&ref_=fplfs&psc=1&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&gQT=1

Reply

Answer 3

MartinR

Level 7

23,517 points

Apr 22, 2025 06:13 AM in response to Ian R. Brown

Hi Ian,

Why not just use a wired ethernet connection from the 2012 mini into your router? Most routers/wifi access points have at least one ethernet LAN port. Then you have a direct network/internet connection without having to burden another Mac with internet sharing.

Reply

Answer 4

Ian R. Brown Author

Level 7

23,736 points

Apr 25, 2025 12:49 AM in response to woodmeister50

Although all the minis are now working via wi-fi I would like to experiment with the method you explained.

Which ethernet adapter do I use as there are 3 available? What is an "ethernet adapter"?

I have just got several ethernet cables.

Reply

Answer 5

Ian R. Brown Author

Level 7

23,736 points

Apr 24, 2025 05:37 AM in response to MartinR

Thanks everyone for the info.

I could not reply earlier as on Tuesday morning the engineer arrived to convert my copper wire broadband to full fibre.

The installation was completed within an hour BUT the old router didn't work even though it was supposedly compatible.

So I had to wait for a replacement router. It was supposed to arrive tomorrow but luckily came early.

An ethernet cable from the router is not really feasible as the computers are over 30 feet away upstairs.

Who knows, maybe with the new router the i5 might work better?

Reply

Answer 6

den.thed

Level 10

88,810 points

Apr 24, 2025 07:27 AM in response to Ian R. Brown

Ian R. Brown wrote:

Thanks everyone for the info.

An ethernet cable from the router is not really feasible as the computers are over 30 feet away upstairs.

Who knows, maybe with the new router the i5 might work better?

👍

The new Router should give you better range and a stronger connection.

If not, you can get and place a Wi-Fi Range Extender in-between the Router and your computer room.

Reply

Answer 7

Ian R. Brown Author

Level 7

23,736 points

Apr 24, 2025 07:46 AM in response to den.thed

Just tested it and the M2 has now joined it in not connecting.

The wi-fi symbol in the menubar is good and strong but nothing seems to be coming through. The M4 is fine.

Anyway I will try to sort that out when I have a bit more time.

Reply

Answer 8

Apr 25, 2025 05:56 AM in response to Ian R. Brown

There are many "enX adapters" many of several which are virtual and not physical interfaces. Mostly carried over from BSD/UNIX days and also for a variety of other reasons for example connecting to additional physical interfaces. If you use terminal and run "ifconfig", you will find many. On my set up I have en0-en5.

I would start by selecting the one that is just Ethernet. That one should be the built in physical interface.

Reply

Answer 9

den.thed

Level 10

88,810 points

Apr 24, 2025 08:01 AM in response to Ian R. Brown

If you’re having difficulty joining or staying connected, see > Connect to the the internet with your Mac - Apple Support

Reply

Answer 10

Apr 22, 2025 06:24 AM in response to woodmeister50

Thanks for the info. I guess crossover Ethernet cables are a thing of the very distant past and newish devices should work with stock regular CAT5/6 Ethernet cables?

Reply