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Is it possible to use eSata as a network cable?
More specifically I would like to get they highest possible throughput between between 2 computers and was wondering if I could use as a way to transfer files.
William
Posted 2014-01-04T06:29:05.137
Reputation: 992
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Theoretically yes, practically it may be difficult. Its certainly not simply "walk into computer store, get cable, plug in, configure IP's".
It appears to be possible to get and use a Sata Crossover cable - but I have not seen any drivers for one.
I've never dealt with the company, but I found http://www.techcable.com/HTML/SATA.htm shows they are selling external SATA to Infiniband 1x Cable assembly crossover pinout, so it looks like it would need to be a custom stack.
Would you not be better off channel-bonding some regular gigabit nics or getting a couple of 10 gigabit nics. (While not cheap, its probably a lot cheaper then writing a network stack).
Of-course, if you are using this to transfer files, you might find it overkill as this is faster then most hard drives sustained throughput (I expect SSD's can easily saturate gigabit though)
davidgo
Posted 2014-01-04T06:29:05.137
Reputation: 49 152
1FYI: 10gb nic(probably over fibre) is 1250mb/s double sata 3 max. – cybernard – 2014-01-04T06:32:20.787
@cybernard esata not sata. Esata is faster the Gigabit Ethernet at least from what I understand. – William – 2014-01-04T06:39:57.513
1Although I won't be that surprised if this is impossible. – William – 2014-01-04T06:49:22.197
I said 10 gigabit ethernet not gigabit. – cybernard – 2014-01-04T06:52:55.367