[konakazi]

Hello!

I'm in the process of setting up my new G5 at home. I'm giving my old G3 to my girlfriend and would like to set up some kind of network between the machines.

The main goal is that we use a cable modem (RoadRunner in NYC) and I would like to share the net as sharing an actual machine can be tough when I'm trying to get some work done and she needs to check her email etc.

I've read that I can just call up my provider and for a price they'll assign an additional IP, then I could just use this linksys 10/100 hub I have to split the line.

I'm more interested in setting up a more tech solution though, rather than dishing out even more cash to the cable company.

Can anyone help me out and maybe point me to some good resources?

Thanks!

[Krusty]

Buy yourself a Broadband router. A 4-port one can be had <$40. (Linksys, Dlink, SMC, Netgear) -- all decent brands.

They are DEAD SIMPLE to set up, will share your internet connection AND act as a network hub for your two macs. Get one ... its a simple solution made to precisely address what you describe as your needs.

I have 2 macs, 1 desktop PC, 1 PS2, and 1 PC laptop connected wirelessly to a 4 port wireless Netgear router. Nothing to it .. most of them even tell you exactly how to set up your client machines as well as the router.

[addendum]
the solution that your cable company is offering you is EXACTLY the same thing that I suggested. They just want to prey on people who think they can't do it themselves and try to make more money off you.
Also, as for file sharing, its Mac-simple as well. Go into both machines: System Preferences->Sharing->Turn file sharing "ON". Your two machines are now networked !! and can be found simply by browsing via the 'Network' volume in the Finder.
[/addendum]

[konakazi]

Thanks!

I'll be scouting out prices for a router tomorrow. Just what the doctor ordered!

Edit: OK! I picked up the Netgear router and they're both online! Huzzah! Remarkably easy.

Here's a related question. My G5 has a green light on the router, indicating it's communicating at 100 Mbps. My G3 has amber light on the router, indicating it's communicating at 10 Mbps.

The G5 is connected with an ethernet cable that came with the router, while the G3 is connected with a random one I had lying around in my wire box.

Is this speed difference a matter of the type of cables or does it have to do with the power of the boxes?

Sorry for such a noob question.

[Krusty]

Originally posted by konakazi:
Thanks!

I'll be scouting out prices for a router tomorrow. Just what the doctor ordered!

Edit: OK! I picked up the Netgear router and they're both online! Huzzah! Remarkably easy.

Here's a related question. My G5 has a green light on the router, indicating it's communicating at 100 Mbps. My G3 has amber light on the router, indicating it's communicating at 10 Mbps.

The G5 is connected with an ethernet cable that came with the router, while the G3 is connected with a random one I had lying around in my wire box.

Is this speed difference a matter of the type of cables or does it have to do with the power of the boxes?

Sorry for such a noob question.

It's sorta a matter of both. The ports on your machine can be rated as 10 or 100mbps (or even 1000mbps -- as your G5 has). If you have an old beige G3 tower, it would have had 10mpbs ethernet ... so that's why the amber light. However, really old ethernet cable can be rated at 10mbps too ... but it'd be pretty odd to come across that these days.

Also .. don't forget to use the rendezvous sharing abilities of your iLife programs (iTunes and iPhoto). For example, if you go into iTunes-->Preferences->Sharing->. Check on "Look for Shared Music" and "Share my music" on both machines and ... voila .. each of your music libraries will pop-up in the others iTunes sidebar. Totally sweet ... make sure the hit the "Browse" button in the upper right the first time you open another machine's music folder or you won't get the nice Artist/Album lists at the top.

There's a reason (several really) why those little routers are so popular

[konakazi]

Thanks again for the info, Krustovksy!

I do the RendezVous iTunes thing at work but totally forgot I could do it here at home too!

Since I'll be clearing the older machine of all my art apps, it could be a pretty tasty jukebox / net machine. My girlfriend will never know the difference

[hart]

jeez, this is easy. I had no idea. I thought it would be much more complicated.

Now the kids can listen to all their music which I put in my computer over the network.

Thanks!