[X-Unix] Pokey LAN transfers

[Richard Hartman]

I'm looking for guidance on how best to copy large data sets between  
macs on a network (Finder, terminal cp, other?).

The setup: Copying from mac #1 (a 2006 iMac running 10.4.11 with  
built-in 100bps ethernet) to mac #2 (a recent PBPro running 10.5.1  
with built-in Gigabit ethernet). Macs connected by a Gigabit netgear  
switch.

I had hoped to get sustained transfers between these two macs of  
50-70 mbps (throttled by the rate-limiting 100 mbps iMac capability).

However, copying a single 2 GByte file, by mounting the (Tiger) imac  
on the (Leopard) MBPro desktop and using terminal "cp" command from  
the MBPro terminal, results in a sustained transfer rate of only  
about 2.5 mB/sec (25 mbps).

So, the questions:

- Is this rather low transfer rate normal for my setup?

- Might I improve it using other tools?


Much appreciative of any guidance here...


Rich Hartman