What’s the fastest connection speed / shortest elapsed time using Migration Assistant

data transferethernetfirewiremigrationperformance

When using Migration Assistant to move users, files, and folders from an old Mac to a new one, you have a few different choices, depending on the Macs involved. Presuming that both Macs have appropriate ports, which ports should be used in a real-world situation? Please do not provide quotations of theoretical port speeds; I'm looking for real-world experiences as to what will get the job done faster.

Port choices:

  • FireWire 400 in target disk mode
  • FireWire 400 to 800 in target disk mode
  • FireWire 800 in target disk mode
  • 100 Megabit Ethernet to Gigabit Ethernet in the OS
  • Gigabit Ethernet to Gigabit Ethernet in the OS
  • Thunderbolt cable in target disk mode

Best Answer

Gigabit ethernet to gigabit ethernet. Next would be FireWire 800 to FireWire 800. Thunderbolt target disk mode is testing to be equivalent to FireWire 800 in target disk mode.

It looks like the OS can keep a gigabit link fuller than target disk mode is able, even when the target mode link has vastly higher bandwidth available.

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