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  3. The Whole Process of Connecting a Slave Mac mini to My iMac & How it Works

  • The Whole Process of Connecting a Slave Mac mini to My iMac & How it Works

    G
    G

    I have an iMac 3.4 i7 27" with 16GB RAM. I need to create a slave out of my mac mini in order to use it specifically with Vienna Software through Logic 9. How do I even begin the process? 1. Is it possibe to communicate with my mac mini from my iMac using just an ethernet cable? Can I use a switch or modem to connect both computers while at the same time have internet? If so, how? 2. Is this just a function of Vienna Ensemble Pro 5 in Logic 9 that allows this connection via ethernet? 3.I do need to download software for my mac mini, but my only screen I have is my iMac. How do I go about downloading for my mac mini when I can't even access it, or so it appears. Just for clarification, I wish to use my iMac for a master computer. The mac mini is specifically used for supplemental processing power and 8 GB of RAM I put into it. Please help me get started. Thanks!
  • M
    M

    Hello Gilmasher,

    Yes it's all a function of Vienna Ensemble Pro 5, Logic 9, and Vienna Ensemble Pro 5 again, on your Slave Mac mini.

    If you already have a gigabit router or gigabit switch, any computers plugged in via Ethernet are considered on the network.

    Vienna Ensemble Pro 5 makes life very easy in this regard. VEP 5 allows both machines to communicate with little or no setup on your part.

    Once setup correctly, your internet will operate as it always has.

    But all this is explained in the VEP 5 manual.

    You could also via Ethernet, connect your iMac and Mac mini directly to one another if the iMac has 2 ports.

    As for remote viewing the mini, I'm afraid I don't know much about that. There is software that will allow you to view the mini on your iMac.

    I'm sure someone here will help with that...

    Bottom line, Master / Slave via VEP 5 is pretty much plug and play. Very very simple.

    If you're using VEP 5 now, then you already know much you'll need to run a slave.

    If not, the VEP 5 manual as well as these forums are your friend.
  • G
    G

    Thank you very much, Mike B Studios. I'll give the manual a read and I might just hook up the mac mini via firewire for now and download the software needed to work together with my iMac.

    I did notice that when VE Pro 5 was brought up on Logic 7, which I know it really is supposed to work in Logic 8 and 9 and that I'll be downloading Logic 9 this Friday, I noticed that it asked for what seemed to be an IP address. Again, I'll look at the manual and if I have any question after reading it, I'll get back to the forum. Again, I appreciate your reply.
  • Cyril BlancC
    Cyril BlancC

    1. Is it possibe to communicate with my mac mini from my iMac using just an ethernet cable?

    yes, Firewire cable is not a good idea

    Can I use a switch or modem to connect both computers while at the same time have internet?

    If so, how?

    yes just connect the 3 ethernet cable to the switch

    2. Is this just a function of Vienna Ensemble Pro 5 in Logic 9 that allows this connection via ethernet?

    yes

    3.I do need to download software for my mac mini, but my only screen I have is my iMac.

    use vnc (included in Macos)

    How do I go about downloading for my mac mini when I can't even access it, or so it appears.

    you can plug it on your TV set if it has an HDMI connector

    Just for clarification, I wish to use my iMac for a master computer. The mac mini is specifically used for supplemental processing power and 8 GB of RAM I put into it. Please help me get started. Thanks!
  • G
    G

    One last question or clarification regarding master and slave connectivity. Can I use a thunderbolt connection to completely replace the ethernet connection set up using VE Pro 5? Has anyone tried this?
  • M
    M

    Well, as Mac Pro Towers are not yet equipped with ThunderBolt, I havent tried this.

    • ThunderBolt to Ethernet adapters may work, but I see no advantage there.
    • ThunderBolt to ThunderBolt may work as an Ethernat replacement... But this wastes a very fast, and very expensive interface.

    ThunderBolt is still a bit of a mystery, who knows what it can and can not do.

    How many Ethernet Ports does your iMac have?????
  • G
    G

    I only have one ethernet port and two thunderbolt ports. Right now I am using an ethernet cable via gigabite router. In fact, I had to go purchase a gigabite router today because I purchased the megabite router instead last week. I went ahead and also bought a thunderbolt cable so that I could connect to my mac mini seperate from the VE Pro 5 ethernet set up. This way I can utilize more of my mac mini for other purposes and not just use it as a slave engine. Plus, if I purchase other equipment or monitors or hard drives it might come in handy. I'm hoping to use my thunderbolt cable via "sharing" system preference so that I don't have to use wi-fi between both computers. I'll let you know how it works in a couple of days or sooner.