Stumped re: file-sharing...please help :)

evernaut · #1 January 5th, 2008, 03:47 PM

I just can't seem to make it work...I'm not a computer noob..Mac or PC, but this has me foxed.

I'm trying to set up file sharing on Tiger and I've followed the Mac help to the letter, but no joy.

I've turned file-sharing on in prefs, dropped a file into my public folder and then the dialogue in the pane tells me other Mac users should be able to view it at the addy afp://unknown-00-16-cb-blah-blah.home/ or browse for it in Finder/Network/Go. ( Dunno why it's automatically called this "unknown" thing)

They can't, however.

Is there summink I'm missing?

Cheers guys!!

ElDiabloConCaca · #2 January 5th, 2008, 04:42 PM

When you say "they can't" -- are you referring to other Macintosh computers, or Windows computers?

"unknown-00-16-cb-blah-blah" is your computer name -- you can set it up in the "Sharing" pane of the System Preferences at the top of the pane.

evernaut · #3 January 5th, 2008, 04:58 PM

Thanks. Yeah, other Mac users.

My computer name in that pane is listed as 'John Smith's computer' ( for this post it's not my real name obviously)...so that's all ok.

I've also tried asking my Mac user buddy to enter my IP ( as given in Network prefs) in the "connect to server" dialogue...but still no luck.

Why does that addy appear as "unknown...etc" anyway...shouldn't it list the IP addy?

ElDiabloConCaca · #4 January 5th, 2008, 06:10 PM

How is your network set up? Are all the Macs on a router together, with a common access point to the internet?

evernaut · #5 January 5th, 2008, 08:05 PM

Just trying to share files over the internet, no local server. I really can't see why it's not working.

ElDiabloConCaca · #6 January 5th, 2008, 08:24 PM

Ah, well, that makes a HUGE difference between trying to share files on a local network and trying to share files across the internet. First of all, more than likely, you're behind a router, so you'll have to forward the correct port(s) to your computer on the router. For AFP, I believe that's port 548.

Second, your buddy will be REQUIRED to use your IP address to connect to your computer, unless you set up a dyndns.org account or have a domain name and static IP.

Give us the specifics of your network/internet setup, including what model of modem and/or router you're using, whether you have a static or dynamic external IP, whether your computer has a static or dynamic internal IP, and what specific protocols you'd like to use to share files (AFP, FTP, SFTP, etc.) and we'll help you get it set up.

evernaut · #7 January 5th, 2008, 08:30 PM

OK. A billion thanks.

My router is the BT Home Hub, the IP addy is...I think..static, in that it always appears to be the same when I reboot and I just want to use AFP for now.

ElDiabloConCaca · #8 January 5th, 2008, 08:37 PM

Ok... on your BT Home Hub, you'll need to access the router setup page and look for "port forwarding." In that port forwarding section, you'll need to forward port 548 to the IP address of your computer (probably a 192.168.x.x number or something).

Then, your friend will use your EXTERNAL IP address (you can go here and look for the IP address in red about halfway down: http://www.ostrosoft.com/OIT/external_ip.asp) and, on his Macintosh, will hit command-K in the Finder to bring up the "Connect to Server" dialog. He will type "afp://(your IP address)" and press Enter, and, if all is set up correctly, he should see an authentication dialog... if he sees that, all is good!