[ t   h   r   e   e   m   a   c   s   .   c   o   m ]
Network Setup Move Files Share Internet Share a Printer Fixing Problems Finding Products
Switched Ethernet
Ethernet for more than two computers
Crossover Ethernet
Ethernet for two (and only two) computers
AirPort (wireless)
Apple's AirPort and other wireless network options
Home Phone Lines
Products that use home phone lines to create a network
LocalTalk-Ethernet
Connecting LocalTalk networks to Ethernet
Two-Mac LocalTalk
LocalTalk networks for two (and only two) Macs
3+ Macs LocalTalk
LocalTalk networks for more than two Macs
Network Setup Options

Computer networks have two components, the network wiring (or transmitter) and the network functionality. A network is like a street, which has the road (for cars to drive on) and the cars themselves (which make the road useful). Before you can drive your network cars, you have to build the road.

Your network setup is usually mandated by your Mac's network capabilities. There are four basic networking options, defined by name and the way they physically connect.

Switched Ethernet: The most common network choice, with a switch or hub at its center and Macs connected to it by cable. All Macs made in the last several years, including the iMac and G4s, have a built-in Ethernet port for network use. Pros: Commonly available, relatively inexpensive. Cons: Not directly supported on older Macs.


Crossover Ethernet: Ethernet on the cheap, this network is limited to two, and only two computers. You use a special crossover cable to do the job. Pros: Inexpensive. Cons: Limited to two computers.


Airport (wireless): Apple's AirPort connects via radio waves, creating a wireless network connection. A central network transmitter (AirPort Base Station) broadcasts signals to Macs with AirPort antennas (most recent G4 and laptop Macs can add an AirPort antenna). Pros: Wireless connection, Base Station shares a single Internet connection to network. Cons: Cost of wireless antennas and Base Station, slower than higher-speed Ethernet networks.

Home phone lines: Networks that connect to your home phone jacks, utilizing the phone lines already in your walls. Each computer uses an internal or external network adapter, which connects to the nearest phone jack. Pros: Straightforward setup, may include software to connect Macs & PC and share an Internet connection. Cons: Slower than Ethernet, cost of network adapters.

LocalTalk-to-Ethernet
Ethernet is the most-used network currently in use, but that doesn't mean LocalTalk has just gone away. Many users have Macs or LocalTalk printers they would like to network, usually as a way of connecting older devices to a new computer. This page covers the ways to connect LocalTalk and Ethernet, both hardware and software.

LocalTalk Adapters: Older (pre-iMac) style of Mac networking, with each Mac daisy-chained to the next via special adapters. Uses the Mac printer or modem port. Pros: Inexpensive, support built-in to Macs with serial ports. Cons: Very slow, harder to find adapters these days, needs exclusive use of a serial port.

LocalTalk Serial: The LocalTalk equivalent of crossover Ethernet, you can use a single serial (printer) cable to create a two-Mac LocalTalk network Pros: Cheap, support built-in to Macs with serial ports. Cons: Very slow, needs exclusive use of serial port.

You can add any number of functions to a network, but you need to start with the connection itself. Follow any of the above links for setup instructions, then check out the other areas (Move Files, Share Internet, etc.) to add functionality to your network.
[ Threemacs.com is ©1996-2001 Matthew Glidden (except for the bits that aren't) ]