[Budphox]

Hi all. Long time reader, first time poster. I have attempted to search, however can not find the answer to my new problem.

I have a wireless network using the 'dome' airport extreme. I also have an airport express on this network.

The computers are an iBook G4 800mHz, a Powerbook 12" and a Macbook Pro 15.4" Core 2 Duo. All computers have airport. Last week I purchased a WD MyBook Pro 500GB external hard drive.

The question: I want to use the iBook as a 'server' with the external hard drive My Book connected via the Firewire. Then I want to be able to access the External Hard drive from the other 2 computers via the wireless network.

Is this possible? Yes I know that the new 'flat' Airport Extreme can support an external hard drive but I don't want to buy a new one if I don't have to.

Thanks in advance.

[Simon]

No problem at all.

• Connect the disk to the iBook via FireWire like you mentioned. Make sure it is formatted and give it a name (you can do that with Applications/Utilities/DiskUtility)
• Turn on "Personal File Sharing" on the iBook (in System Preferences > Sharing)
• Note the name of the iBook above ("Computer Name")
• On another Mac, go to the Finder and chose Go > Connect to Server...
• Enter afp://iBookName.local, select "Registered User", and enter your user name and password
• Select the external disk connected to the iBook

In the future you should be able to mount the disk by going to Apple menu > Recent Items > Servers. You can also make an alias of the external disk and double-click it to mount it on any local Mac.

As long as the disk isn't disconnected form the iBook and the iBook is running (with file sharing turned on) you should be able to access it form every Mac on your wireless network (hence the ".local" in the afp address). Of course this will not work from outside your wireless network which is probably what you want too (security).

Let us know how that works out for you. Good luck.

[Budphox]

Thanks Simon. Fantastic effort. Fast and accurate.

That has worked. Now as a follow up, now that I have this connection working, can I use a 'mega library' folder for my music that I can share from the iTunes of the 2 other connected computers? This is more for the purpose of creating playlists and central music storage rather than multiple connections playing music at the same time (although this will happen occassionaly)

If that works I think that I want to do the same with iPhoto. Are my ambitions to great? Or is this feasible and possible.

Thanks for the help so far.