Wireless Network - Mac + PC

TroutMaskReplica · Jun 10th, 2004, 01:35 PM

I want to share a Rogers High Speed Internet connection between a Mac and a PC.

I would like both machines to go through the same router - the Mac would be wireless, while the PC would be connected to the router via ethernet cable. It doesn't matter to me if the computers can talk to each other or not - I really just want to share the internet connection.

I've never set up a wireless network before. I'd like to go with a linksys router as I find the Airport base stations to be a tad pricey. I've already purchased a used Airport card for my G4, I just need the router now. Recommendations?

Does anyone see any potential problems with this set up? Can I use the Mac to wirelessly program the router, or do I need to use the PC with cable? Do I need to phone rogers and get Mac addresses or is this unnecessary? Can I just plug the router and the cable modem and have it work automatically or is there more to it?

I really have no idea what I'm doing so if anyone can give some advice to a wireless newbie I'd really appreciate it.

Pamela · Jun 10th, 2004, 02:05 PM

I did this once...but I didn't really know the terminology (router vs. hub etc...). I was using Shaw cable with an apple base station

I had the ethernet cable coming out of my my cable modem and it got plugged into the wireless hub/router/whatever you want to call it.

There is then another ethernet cable that goes from your hub/router to your PC.

That's it. You're done. Both computers are now set up. I never had to get any extra addresses or set anything else up. Both computers were online within seconds.

Sounds too easy doesn't it

Why not wait for airport extreme! Instead of getting the linksys and a router you could have the extreme and a router for the same price

Kosh · Jun 10th, 2004, 02:22 PM

I do this with Rogers, except both of my Macs are wirelessly connected to the Base Station. No problems. No need to phone Rogers. Just hook it up as follows:

Cable ---> Cable Modem. Ethernet cable from modem ---> Base Station/Wireless Router. Ethernet cable from Base Station/Wireless Router to PC and wireless connection to Mac.

I think it depends on the brand of wireless router whether you can program it from the Mac or not.

SLaw · Jun 10th, 2004, 02:51 PM

I do not have any wireless networking experience as well. I wanted to share the internet with my new ibook from the PC, so I bought a D-LINK DI-624, DLINK recommend to do the set up from the PC.
It's quite simple to do the set up and now I can surf the net with the ibook anywhere in the house.

RC51Pilot · Jun 10th, 2004, 03:59 PM

I have this exact setup.

No there's no issues to worry about. I have a D-Link DI-614+ 802.11b. The only problem I had was I needed to update the firmware on the router in order to get the wireless working with WEP on the iBook. It was fine right out of the box for my HP lap.

Take the usual wireless setup precautions etc. etc. and you're good to go. And as far as the file sharing between machines - a monkey can get that to work - it's handy to put large amounts of data onto the PC and kinda use it as an external drive. That's where I keep my pics, music and vids.

Added Instructions:

You don't need anything from Rogers. Each network interface has it's own MAC ID already.

unplug modem (power)
power down your machines.
plug the ethernet cable from the modem into the WAN port on the router.
plug the PC ethernet into the router (likely port1)
turn on the modem
turn on the router
voila - network.
routers are usually shipped with full security so you don't need to do anything else at this point.
depending on the router, you will likely have to turn WLAN (wireless) ON. Mine was off by default. Do this through the browser.

turn on WLAN, enable WEP and whatever other security features you want (MAC filtering etc) And make sure you DISABLE the SSID broadcast. IMPORTANT - CHANGE THE NAME FROM THE DEFAULT [img]smile.gif[/img]

Look for help on the Internet Connect app to setup the wireless access - basically you'll turn on the Airport card and setup a new network for it using the name of your SSID (wireless network name) and WEP key etc.

Hope that helps.

Oh yeah, Pamela, you only need the Linksys OR D-Link wireless router. They are way cheaper than AE Express Base Station and perform both functions Ethernet/Wireless Router AND Switch. Am I to understand that the Airport Base station does not have any hard access points on it? If not it REALLY IS a rip off.

[ June 10, 2004, 04:16 PM: Message edited by: RC51Pilot ]

Macaholic · Jun 10th, 2004, 04:18 PM

I share broadband between my OS X mac and an old 8100 running OS 9. the 8100 is wired; the Sawtooth wireless.

You can administrate the router from either computer. In this day and age, don't forget to filter your MAC addresses so no arseholes try to leach off your connection and download kiddie porn on your nickel (and have the cops knocking on your door thinking it was YOU that did it).

Change your admin password from the default of "admin". That is very important, as it's the first thing these guys do when "war driving".

Make sure the firewall is up on the router, but down on the computers.

And, for some reason, some older wireless routers (unlike the Belkin one I got at Radio Shack for a steal-of-a-deal) can do iChat video-conferencing wirelessly. Also, find out if you can move your wifi card into the router's "DMZ", which is essentially the ability to "place" your wirelessly attached computer "outside" the router. This is useful for occasions where you others cannot connect BAST the router to your computer, directly (essentially, some routers leave your IP address as a local one and cannot make it accessible to outsiders. This is different than the Firewall, where it allows YOU to do FTP and text instant messaging, but cannot do iChat VIDEO or open your wirelessly connected computer to the internet as a server.

TroutMaskReplica · Jun 10th, 2004, 04:42 PM

wow. thanks everyone. i'm feeling a little more confident now. [img]smile.gif[/img]

TroutMaskReplica · Jun 10th, 2004, 04:45 PM

pamela,

do you mean airport express rather than extreme? i'd prefer that setup but alas i have to get this thing up and running early next week. the music streaming would be really cool.

Pamela · Jun 10th, 2004, 05:16 PM

yeah, that's what i was talking about.

Too bad that you can't hold off. I have someone that I'm doing the same setup for but I can't hold off for them either.

But I've ordered mine so there will be an airport extreme base station up for sale mid july!

TroutMaskReplica · Jun 10th, 2004, 06:28 PM

pamela, i'd buy your airport station in a heartbeat - too bad the timing sucks.

just out of curiousity, does the airport base station have a port to allow wired connections?

Jun 10th, 2004, 01:35 PM	#1
TroutMaskReplica Honourable Citizen Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Toronto Posts: 3,355	I want to share a Rogers High Speed Internet connection between a Mac and a PC. I would like both machines to go through the same router - the Mac would be wireless, while the PC would be connected to the router via ethernet cable. It doesn't matter to me if the computers can talk to each other or not - I really just want to share the internet connection. I've never set up a wireless network before. I'd like to go with a linksys router as I find the Airport base stations to be a tad pricey. I've already purchased a used Airport card for my G4, I just need the router now. Recommendations? Does anyone see any potential problems with this set up? Can I use the Mac to wirelessly program the router, or do I need to use the PC with cable? Do I need to phone rogers and get Mac addresses or is this unnecessary? Can I just plug the router and the cable modem and have it work automatically or is there more to it? I really have no idea what I'm doing so if anyone can give some advice to a wireless newbie I'd really appreciate it. __________________ intel iMac 20" dual core 2 ghz, Dual 1.25ghz MDD

Jun 10th, 2004, 02:05 PM	#2
Pamela Honourable Citizen Join Date: Feb 2003 Posts: 2,255	I did this once...but I didn't really know the terminology (router vs. hub etc...). I was using Shaw cable with an apple base station I had the ethernet cable coming out of my my cable modem and it got plugged into the wireless hub/router/whatever you want to call it. There is then another ethernet cable that goes from your hub/router to your PC. That's it. You're done. Both computers are now set up. I never had to get any extra addresses or set anything else up. Both computers were online within seconds. Sounds too easy doesn't it Why not wait for airport extreme! Instead of getting the linksys and a router you could have the extreme and a router for the same price __________________ 17" Macbook Pro \| 10.4

Jun 10th, 2004, 02:22 PM	#3
Kosh Honourable Citizen Join Date: May 2002 Location: Ottawa Posts: 4,474	I do this with Rogers, except both of my Macs are wirelessly connected to the Base Station. No problems. No need to phone Rogers. Just hook it up as follows: Cable ---> Cable Modem. Ethernet cable from modem ---> Base Station/Wireless Router. Ethernet cable from Base Station/Wireless Router to PC and wireless connection to Mac. I think it depends on the brand of wireless router whether you can program it from the Mac or not. __________________ -- Mac Pro Dual 3.0 Dual Core, 4GB RAM, 150GB Raptor HD, 500GB HD, Superdrive, Radeon X1900XT, Bluetooth, Airport Exteme, Logitech Z-5500 5.1 Speakers, 30" ACD -- PowerMac G5 Dual 2.5, 2.5GB RAM, 160GB HD, Superdrive, Radeon X800XT, Bluetooth, Airport Extreme -- Macbook Pro 2.53 15", 4GB, 320GB HD, SuperDrive, Bluetooth, Airport Extreme -- iBook G4 1.33 14", 768MB RAM, 60GB HD, Combo Drive, Airport Extreme

Jun 10th, 2004, 03:59 PM	#5
RC51Pilot Full Citizen Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: -.-- -..- ..- Posts: 575	I have this exact setup. No there's no issues to worry about. I have a D-Link DI-614+ 802.11b. The only problem I had was I needed to update the firmware on the router in order to get the wireless working with WEP on the iBook. It was fine right out of the box for my HP lap. Take the usual wireless setup precautions etc. etc. and you're good to go. And as far as the file sharing between machines - a monkey can get that to work - it's handy to put large amounts of data onto the PC and kinda use it as an external drive. That's where I keep my pics, music and vids. Added Instructions: You don't need anything from Rogers. Each network interface has it's own MAC ID already. unplug modem (power) power down your machines. plug the ethernet cable from the modem into the WAN port on the router. plug the PC ethernet into the router (likely port1) turn on the modem turn on the router voila - network. routers are usually shipped with full security so you don't need to do anything else at this point. depending on the router, you will likely have to turn WLAN (wireless) ON. Mine was off by default. Do this through the browser. turn on WLAN, enable WEP and whatever other security features you want (MAC filtering etc) And make sure you DISABLE the SSID broadcast. IMPORTANT - CHANGE THE NAME FROM THE DEFAULT [img]smile.gif[/img] Look for help on the Internet Connect app to setup the wireless access - basically you'll turn on the Airport card and setup a new network for it using the name of your SSID (wireless network name) and WEP key etc. Hope that helps. Oh yeah, Pamela, you only need the Linksys OR D-Link wireless router. They are way cheaper than AE Express Base Station and perform both functions Ethernet/Wireless Router AND Switch. Am I to understand that the Airport Base station does not have any hard access points on it? If not it REALLY IS a rip off. [ June 10, 2004, 04:16 PM: Message edited by: RC51Pilot ] __________________ -= You haven't lived until you have ridden a 90kph hairpin with your knee scraping and nothing but a few millimetres of cowhide between you and the asphalt. =- iPad 32Gb WiFi MacBook 2.0GHz C2D/2Gb/160Gb MacBook Pro 2.2GHz C2D/4Gb/320Gb iMac 20" 2.0Ghz C2D/4Gb/250Gb + 23inch Cinema Display (DVI) 16Gb White iPhone 3G

Jun 10th, 2004, 04:18 PM	#6
Macaholic Honourable Citizen Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Toronto Posts: 8,754	I share broadband between my OS X mac and an old 8100 running OS 9. the 8100 is wired; the Sawtooth wireless. You can administrate the router from either computer. In this day and age, don't forget to filter your MAC addresses so no arseholes try to leach off your connection and download kiddie porn on your nickel (and have the cops knocking on your door thinking it was YOU that did it). Change your admin password from the default of "admin". That is very important, as it's the first thing these guys do when "war driving". Make sure the firewall is up on the router, but down on the computers. And, for some reason, some older wireless routers (unlike the Belkin one I got at Radio Shack for a steal-of-a-deal) can do iChat video-conferencing wirelessly. Also, find out if you can move your wifi card into the router's "DMZ", which is essentially the ability to "place" your wirelessly attached computer "outside" the router. This is useful for occasions where you others cannot connect BAST the router to your computer, directly (essentially, some routers leave your IP address as a local one and cannot make it accessible to outsiders. This is different than the Firewall, where it allows YOU to do FTP and text instant messaging, but cannot do iChat VIDEO or open your wirelessly connected computer to the internet as a server. __________________ 32GB iPad WiFi. 15" MacBook Pro 2.4GHz Core2 Duo/6GB/200GB/GeForce 8600M GT 256MB GPU/DL-DVDRW/24" BenQ LCD. MacBook 2.4GHz Core2 Duo/2GB/200GB/DL-DVDRW >3TB of FW drives, 16GB iPod Touch, 8GB 5th gen Nano, Canon HV20 HD-DV cam, Kodak digicam, Canon scanner, Canon iP5400 printer, Jailbroken 8GB iPhone 3G. In memoriam: my Sawtooth "Frankenmac" with dual 1.3GHz G4/2GB/360GB striped RAID/DVDRW/ATI Radeon 9000 Pro

Jun 10th, 2004, 02:51 PM	#4
SLaw Full Citizen Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Alberta Posts: 206	I do not have any wireless networking experience as well. I wanted to share the internet with my new ibook from the PC, so I bought a D-LINK DI-624, DLINK recommend to do the set up from the PC. It's quite simple to do the set up and now I can surf the net with the ibook anywhere in the house.

Jun 10th, 2004, 04:42 PM	#7
TroutMaskReplica Honourable Citizen Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Toronto Posts: 3,355	wow. thanks everyone. i'm feeling a little more confident now. [img]smile.gif[/img] __________________ intel iMac 20" dual core 2 ghz, Dual 1.25ghz MDD

Jun 10th, 2004, 04:45 PM	#8
TroutMaskReplica Honourable Citizen Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Toronto Posts: 3,355	pamela, do you mean airport express rather than extreme? i'd prefer that setup but alas i have to get this thing up and running early next week. the music streaming would be really cool. __________________ intel iMac 20" dual core 2 ghz, Dual 1.25ghz MDD

Jun 10th, 2004, 05:16 PM	#9
Pamela Honourable Citizen Join Date: Feb 2003 Posts: 2,255	yeah, that's what i was talking about. Too bad that you can't hold off. I have someone that I'm doing the same setup for but I can't hold off for them either. But I've ordered mine so there will be an airport extreme base station up for sale mid july! __________________ 17" Macbook Pro \| 10.4

Jun 10th, 2004, 06:28 PM	#10
TroutMaskReplica Honourable Citizen Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Toronto Posts: 3,355	pamela, i'd buy your airport station in a heartbeat - too bad the timing sucks. just out of curiousity, does the airport base station have a port to allow wired connections? __________________ intel iMac 20" dual core 2 ghz, Dual 1.25ghz MDD

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