networking 2 macs

[ZZU]

Hi everybody

This should be a simple one for you.

 

I have two macs

No1 is an iMac Intel Core 2 Duo

It's connected to the internet via a BT line

 

No2 is an old G4

It's connected to the internet via Virgin cable

 

I want to share files between them (I'm not bothered about sharing the internet connections)

 

My plan is to buy two ethernet splitters (the macs only have one ethernet port each)

stick them in the macs

plug the internet into one port

plug a crossover cable connecting the two other ports.

 

Sounds logical to me - but I'm quite stupid

can you find any faults?

 

Thanks for any help - keep it simple tho - I really am quite stupid.

 

ZZU

[MacUser2525]

Not sure how well them splitters work personally I would probably go with a USB network card dongle for each machine, first hit in Google is the Apple store selling such a thing.

 

http://www.google.ca/search?q=usb+network+...lient=firefox-a

[LoneWaffle]

The splitters will not likely work. I don't

think a network adapter can be part of more than one network simultaneously. In this case, it's connection to the Internet would be considered one network, while the connection to the other computer is considered another. You would need 2 network adapters for each machine to do something like that. The smart thing to do would be to simply get a switch/router and stop being so complicated about not sharing Internet and such. However, if both machines have wifi cards, you could set up an adhoc network between them and they could still maintain they're own Internet connection.

[ZZU]

Thanks Guys

 

Hmmm...thought my splitter idea was too simple to be true -

 

I need the two separate internet connections for my work - I can do 2 jobs at once and I always have a backup.

At the moment I move files with a data stick or a external drive for big stuff - this is OK, just inconvenient.

 

WiFi on one machine only - also setting up a wireless ad hoc network is probably beyond me.

 

other two options you suggest -

both sound simple enough (which is a worry)!

 

will the switch allow me to maintain both internets

the word switch implies I might be able to switch between them?

 

The dongle thingy looks simple enough too but I thought using USB meant you had to set up the machine as a target disc?

[LoneWaffle]

With a switch, you will not be able to maintain two seperate Internet connections. You are still limited by the fact that you only have one network interface to work with on the two computers. I would sugguest that, since one of the machines already has wifi, you buy a USB wifi adapter for the other (about $25) and set up an adhoc network. It's extremely easy to do (especially on Mac) and I could walk you through it if necessary. I think this is your cheapest/best bet.

[ZZU]

This maybe?

 

SparkLAN 802.11g Fast Wireless USB Adapter, Compatible with MAC OS 10.3 & above, LINUX & VISTA - (and Win98, ME, 2000, XP), includes easy setup

[westwaerts]

you need an ethernet "switch" ( netgear or else) sometimes miss-spelled as router

 

plug both computers into the switch ports, assign different IP adresses for both machines in systempreferences > network

and you should see them in your finder sidebar ( if bonjour works)

 

and use the uplink of the switch for your internet router, so both are online too.

[LoneWaffle]

Like I said, that would work, but you wouldn't be able to have two separate Internet connections that way. In that configuration, both computers would share one Internet connection. The only way you are going to keep each computer's connection to the Internet separate is to essentially have two network connections for each, one going to the Internet and one going to the other computer.

[kmare]

you need 2xgateway routers (any wifi router will do)

 

connect the BT to the WAN port of one, connect the virgin to the WAN port of the other one

 

setup one router with a LAN IP of 192.168.0.1, setup the other with a LAN IP of 192.168.0.2;

disable DHCP on the routers

disable DHCP on the macs

setup one mac with an IP of 192.168.0.100 and a gateway of 192.168.0.1 and the appropriate DNS

setup one mac with an IP of 192.168.0.101 and a gateway of 192.168.0.2 and the appropriate DNS

 

run a cross over cable between the routers

 

or buy 2 usb ethernet adapters

[mainlyinsac]

A non hardware solution might be something like Dropbox, depending on the size of the files you want to move around.

 

Edit: Maybe something like Teleport could also work for you.