Share Internet Connection via Airport

[Chibi15]

Hi!

I currently have an iBook and i am planning to buy an iMac.
I would like to equip both Macs with airport but i have a few questions...

1) Do i need an aiport basestation if i only want to share files between the 2 macs (no internet connection) ?

2) I have an strange way to connect to the internet (using 3rd party PPTP utilities) and i’ve heard that i could make my iMac a "software-base station" independant of the way how i connect to the internet - is this true?

-- Chibi15

 

[nkuvu]

Originally posted by Chibi15
Hi!

I currently have an iBook and i am planning to buy an iMac.
I would like to equip both Macs with airport but i have a few questions...

1) Do i need an aiport basestation if i only want to share files between the 2 macs (no internet connection) ?

No, you can create a computer-to-computer network and share files without a base station.

2) I have an strange way to connect to the internet (using 3rd party PPTP utilities) and i’ve heard that i could make my iMac a "software-base station" independant of the way how i connect to the internet - is this true?

-- Chibi15

This is theoretically true, but I have not been able to get it working. simX originally pointed me to this link:
http://www.versiontracker.com/redir.fcgi/kind=1&db=mac&id=13335/SWBSX032f.sit.tgz

I did everything as explained, but when I turn on Internet Connection sharing I lose the connection totally. That is, the connection is made correctly, but the computer acts as if there is no connection (both my computer and the one I am trying to share the connection with act this way). As soon as I turn off the connection sharing, my connection works fine (but of course the other computer can't access the net.).

 

[Chibi15]

Originally posted by nkuvu

No, you can create a computer-to-computer network and share files without a base station.

Thanks for your help!

This sounds very good! But are you absolutely true that this works?
How far wil the connection work this way? And will i am able to use TCP/IP as well es FileSharing etc.?

 

[nkuvu]

Originally posted by Chibi15


Thanks for your help!

This sounds very good! But are you absolutely true that this works?
How far wil the connection work this way? And will i am able to use TCP/IP as well es FileSharing etc.?

I am absolutely sure. I have a computer-to-computer network running with my roommate's iMac without any problems. I am pretty sure that there are a few threads already on how to set this up, but let me know if you can't find them.

I think the range of the AirPort cards is 100-150 feet (30-45 meters). This depends on things like interference (metal kills the connection, so I have heard). I am not positive. I have an iMac, my roommate has an iMac, they're not things like laptops where they change position frequently.

I already addressed the TCP/IP issue -- I've been told that it works, but I haven't been able to get it to work myself. So I don't know. Sorry.

This Apple Support page has some FAQs about the AirPort.

 

[buc99]

It is very easy to set up and does not depend on your network connection. If you want a very simple way of doing this without buying third party software, goto:

http://homepage.mac.com/gdif/masqfirewall.html

This page gives step by step instructions. I used these instructions to setup my software base station in no time at all.

Good Luck.
SA