Recommendations for file sharing and cable modem sharing

[Gary S]

My other Mac is on it's way.

Does anyone have any recommendations as to what hardware and
so forth I will need to share files and my Cable modem between the 2 Macs?  

Routers, cables, etc. I'm new to networking Macs.

My son is home today from school so I may not be able to get on the internet until later.    

TIA

[Mayo]

Gary,  all  your questions will be answered...here:  http://www.techsurvivors.net/cgi-bin/ultim...ic;f=8;t=001123

Even though the book is primarily about wireless networking, there is a lot of info about putting together an ethernet network.  But unless money is a real issue, wireless is the absolute way to go, take my word for it!

   
 
 [ 03-07-2003, 02:18 PM: Message edited by: Mayo ]

[Paddy]

Along with the book (I missed that post first time around - looks good!), you'll need a router of some sort. I have a D-Link D-614+ which I've been very happy with. It's wireless, plus it has 4 ethernet ports for wired connections. I have 2 Macs, a PC and an HP print server permanently wired, and my Powerbook can connect wirelessly or via ethernet cable. One caveat - while you won't notice much or any speed difference with web browsing on a wireless network, if you go to move files around, it is noticeably slower.

Of course, there are also newer, faster options in the wireless router department, like Apple's new base station - but you also need the new Airport Extreme card to go with it. (or another 802.11g card - if you can find one.) The one issue with 802.11g is that it is not yet an accepted/approved IEEE standard, so you may risk future compatibility by being an early adopter. Gartner is warning people to hold off on 802.11g just yet.

http://maccentral.macworld.com/news/0303/07.wifi.php

At any rate - I've found my D-Link works just fine, and it has better range than my 802.11b Snow Airport base station, which will be going on eBay shortly. It was also considerably cheaper - on sale and after rebates from BestBuy, it was about $50. They're a cinch to set up - both it and my wired router (a MacSense, now in residence with a neighbor down the street) had good, simple directions and set up through a web browser.

I also have an ethernet hub, because I do quite often have more than 4 things plugged into the network. Eventually, I'll probably get a USB to Ethernet adapter for my son's iMac - it sits across the room and as it's an earlier one, it won't take an Airport card. For now, when internet connections are necessary, we trip over cables.

[Gary S]

Thanks Mayo and Paddy.

So much to learn.    

That looks like a great book Mayo.

[Bruce_F]

My two Macs are connected through a  Two Port router.

The router not only allows my computers to communicate and share the cable modem, it helps to keep the cable connection going.

Without the router, my connection to the ISP would be lost at least once a month. Now it stays connected unless there is a problem with the server.

[kps]

I have the same router as Paddy and I must say that it's working very well with my 12" Powerbook (Airport Extreme card), the Dell with a Dell 802.11b card and my "old" 350MHz G4 Tower. If you're considering a router, then I would definitely suggest you buy a wireless model.

File sharing is rather slow over the wireless connection, but I got USB printer sharing working flawlessly between the G4 and the Powerbook(both on OS X). I have no idea if I can do that with the PC (not up to speed with XP, yet).

IAWM&P, the convenience of WiFi certainly justifies the initial cash outlay. Even if you do not need it at present, you can still "hardwire" the Macs through the router with CAT 5 cable and share the internet and files.
 
 [ 03-08-2003, 02:41 AM: Message edited by: kps ]

[sluggo]

I've got a Linksys BEFSR-41 4 port router sending RoadRunner to an iMac 600, a Performa 6400 and a D Link wireless base station for the Powerbook. Not a hiccup in 2 years.
I can share files between all 3 computers via ethernet.

[Mayo]

It  is a great book Gary.  They really cover everything and in a way that makes it grokable...They even provide instructions on how to establish a long-distance wireless network; I think that I could even pull it off!

I would buy the book first and then go shopping after you have read it.  You will understand networking so well that I suspect that by the end of the book you will know exactly what kind of network to set-up.

The chapter on security issues is worth the price of the book.

To keep the cost down I used ethernet cable to connect my 7300 to the wireless gateway (the term used in the book...) and then Airport cards are installed in my iBook and iMac.

Last time I checked, I saw the Linksys wireless gateway on sale for $135; I paid close to $200 a year ago.

[kbeartx]

I have a Linksys BEFSR router (the model w/o the built-in hub, which I bought because I was able to get it gently used at low cost and I already owned a hub) sharing my TimeWarner RoadRunner cable internet connection among three Macs and one peasea here at my home. It's worked flawlessly for a couple of years.

I recently setup a D-Link router (w/built-in hub, brand-new cost about $54 @ Office Max last week, model 614 or something like that) for a client and while initial setup did require me to call D-Link support for coaching, it was a toll-free number, they're supposedly available 24/7, the setup was simple once I got the needed info, and the wait was not long (the entire call took about fifteen minutes) and it too seems to be working flawlessly (but since it's only been a few days, I can't endorse the D-Link for long-term, trouble-free operation with the same personal recommendation that I can for the Linksys, but I sure can recommend their low price and support responsiveness / competence).

That's my two scents....    

 - kbeartx

[Gary S]

I see in todays Best Buy flyer they have a bunch of D-Link routers. Wireless and wired.

Wired: D-Link 4 port 10/100 router $49.99- $10.00 instant rebate, $10.00 mail-in rebate. $29.95 after rebates.

[Epaminondas]

(1) All routers are not  alike.  Careful about buying just on price.

For example - SMC and Asante routers are very similar, but Asante routers traditionally have much better multi-platform support than do SMC routers.

(2) Practically Networked is a good review site for routers and such - with a lot of user reviews.   You might want to check out any router you are about to purchase there prior to buying.

(3) Many routers' firmware can only be updated via Windows machines.  If you have a Mac, you have to plug such routers into someone else's Windows machine to update the router firmware - then you plug the router back into your Mac, where it runs fine.

If this seems a little cumbersome to you, you may want a router with firmware that you can update from your Mac or from your Linux box - but you are then restricted to a much smaller group of router manufacturers.

Buyer beware.

Oh - why update router firmware?  

Speed and bug fixes and security updates.

(4) Included "firewalls" mean far different things to different router manufacturers.  Some routers come with much more effective firewalls than others.

Again, buyer beware.

(5)  Different routers are faster than others.  Something to consider when you are perusing reviews.

(6) Some routers can also act as print servers and also include backup connections to POTS modems for when your Cable/ISDN modem is down.  

The print server routers typically allow one printer to be accessed via four different connected computers running as many as four different operating systems.  The caveat is that the printer connection is typically via a parallel printer port - not a USB connection - and Macs generally can only access printers running PostScript on such setups.  That typically gets you into the $300-400 laser printer range at a minimum.

(7)  Wireless routers are intrinsically less secure than wired routers.  Remember, you are broadcasting whatever you are doing all over the neighborhood - something you may wish to consider if you ever send out credit card information on you computer, or if you have any other reason to maintain your personal privacy.

Of course, if your privacy is of no concern to you, the wireless router route can be much more convenient than a wired router.

(6) Typical dealmac Router Deals
 
 [ 03-08-2003, 07:04 PM: Message edited by: Epaminondas ]

[Gary S]

I have been told that since I'm only hooking up 2 Macs I could use just a hub instead of a router.

What's the difference? All I want to do is share my cable modem and share files.

Is the firewall the only difference?

[Bill]

Hay! I take it then you've the 'puter in your lap.!.

Might heavy for a laptop don't ya think? <gr>

Hub verses router.?.
All I know is I have usb hubs and a firewire hub and they connect exterior devices.

[kps]

With a hub, one of your Macs will have to act as a router for the internet connection...so it would have to be turned on if the other Mac would want to be online. I also believe you'd need some piece of software as well to do that.

Now, with a router, you have it 'route' your network traffic to either computer...plus you get firewall protection and lot more flexibility to connect other computers or a printer...or that hub to extend your network.

[Gary S]

Thanks Kps,

I just got off the phone again with Charter and they told me with a hub, I wouldn't need to have one Mac turned on all the time. They said that a hub will support up to 3 internet connections and that they would be on all the time.

I'm still searching for the best way to go.

Wireless is too expensive so I may get a wired router. I'm still
looking.

Bill,
I'm expecting the G4 today but I'm not holding my breath.
It left Oregon on the 6th, went to Washington, ended up in
 Wilmington, OH on the 11th and was in Appleton, WI yesterday morning, which is 1 1/2 hours away. It went Airbourn Express so the plane should be landing in my driveway soon.

   
 
 [ 03-13-2003, 10:56 AM: Message edited by: Gary S ]