[leadsled]

is it possible to network an ibook, imac and power pc work group server with ethernet cables alone, or must i have a routing hub? i'd like to use the imac as the primary cpu to store data from the others. the imac and ibook will have individual modem connections to the internet. the power pc will have none. the ibook and imac are older units, operating on system 9.0. the power pc operates on os 8.6.

is there a better (not too expensive) way accomplish the same thing? i.e., is it practical to back up the power pc to an external hard drive that would also back up the other two units?

when did apple discontinue including os 9 with its installed systems?

If i'm to purchase other imacs or ibooks, need i buy specific earlier models or can i buy a newer g4 and install os 9?

thanks in advance for advice. old timer

[Detrius]

Originally posted by leadsled:
is it possible to network an ibook, imac and power pc work group server with ethernet cables alone, or must i have a routing hub? i'd like to use the imac as the primary cpu to store data from the others. the imac and ibook will have individual modem connections to the internet. the power pc will have none. the ibook and imac are older units, operating on system 9.0. the power pc operates on os 8.6.

is there a better (not too expensive) way accomplish the same thing? i.e., is it practical to back up the power pc to an external hard drive that would also back up the other two units?

when did apple discontinue including os 9 with its installed systems?

If i'm to purchase other imacs or ibooks, need i buy specific earlier models or can i buy a newer g4 and install os 9?

thanks in advance for advice. old timer

Apple still includes OS 9 with systems, but they can't boot to OS 9. The G4 iBooks will not boot into OS 9. Why would you want that rubbish anyway? (that's of course relative to OS X 10.3)

And, you will need a hub/switch. You don't need a router.