Small home network using a mini

Hello i'd like to set up a small home network. The component i have are:
A broadband connection via a cable modem
A mac mini which can act as a server (i'd like to provide access to shared photos and music, and connect an external HD for backup and storage)
2 airport wireless routers
2 macbook pro laptops and 1 mini all with wireless
Any suggestions as to the most effective way to link this all together?
Thanks
Tim

Hi Tim,
You've accidentally posted this on the iPod Mini forum, not the Mac Mini!
Mark

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Setting up a small business network using mac and windows pcs

Setting up a small business network using mac and windows??

Ok that sounds great. What is your actual question as it relates to AirPort networking? Is it: Can I set up a wired/wireless network with an AirPort base station that support multiple Mac & PC clients? If so the answer is yes.
If, instead, it is how to I configure an AirPort network to support a small business you will have to provide more details on both your networking & computing equipment in order for any of us to help you.

We are a two iPhone family, both on the same service provider. My wires iPhone is unable to connect to the home network where as mine is! In the settings her phone has no details for the IP address etc where as mine does! I cannot even enter the details.

We are a two iPhone family, both on the same service provider. My wires iPhone is unable to connect to the home network where as mine is! In the settings her phone has no details for the IP address etc where as mine does! I cannot even enter the details manually.
I have done resets on off and nothing? HELP!

What is that and how. I have 3 airports all configured identically and connected to one router via ethernet!
A power cycle is powering down for ~ 1 minute and powering back up.

Home network with Mac mini, Time Capsule, etc.

Hi,
I would be thankful for any links to instructions or advice on the "best practices" for setting up a home or small business network (DNS, firewall, etc). My primary objective is to learn how all this works, my second objective is to host my own web-site on the mini.
My equipment:
- Mac mini Server (OS X Server 10.6.2)
- iMac (OS X 10.6.2)
- MacBook Pro (OS X 10.6.2)
- TimeCapsule
- A few Windows Vista machines
At the moment I have the TimeCapsule connected via Ethernet cable to the cable modem and acting as the wireless router. If I setup DNS on the mini, should I connect it directly to the cable modem via Ethernet cable instead? Since the TimeCapsule does not have a firewall (or?) I guess the mini fits best as the end-point to the Internet. Will the TimeCapsule continue to act as a Wireless router for all other devices on my soon-to-be private network?
Many thanks in advance.
Thanks,
Per

I'm pretty new at this myself, but here is some of my advice and I'll also pass on some of what I have learned.
If you haven't purchased hardware yet, get the Mac Mini Server. It is a slightly modified Mac Mini that has 10.6 server. It looks like you have this, a good first step. Get Applecare. Apple Care will get you three years of Enterprise level support. The answer to any GUI based server queries are only a phone call away. Applecare for the Mini can be had for $120-150. Enterprise level support is $149 per call. You'll make back your money on the first call. I made my first call the other day and talked to someone for over a an hour. He helped me solve my problem but also gave me good advice. I foresee using my Mini similar to how you will be using yours, so I'll pass on his advice.
Here is a connection diagram as best as I can do in a text world
Internet <--> Cable Router (CR) <-->Time Capsule( TC) <--> Internal Network
The Internal Network would be your Server, other Macs & PC's. The server would have a local static IP address. The other machines would be configured to use DHCP.
TC would be set up to share a public IP address. Its DNS would point to the DNS Server you would set up on your local server.
The Mac server can be setup to handle the DNS information from your local network and then reroute information to your existing DNS chain for information it doesn't know. If you want to resolve the server externally and internally, which is a definite if you want to access the web, server from the outside world, you'll have to do a little more work. Each of these steps can be a project unto themselves.
1/2) Get a static IP. You could do some of these other steps without a static IP, but some of the server setup requires a static IP, especially reverse DNS lookup.
1) Get a Domain name.
2) Get the public DNS configured so the reserve lookup (Public IP Address points to Domain Name) and forward lookup (Domain Name points to public IP address) refer to each other.
3) Set up a "Split DNS". This step was trivial...once I figured out how to do it. You'll have 2 IP Addresses in your Server Zone record, one pointing to the local IP address for the server and the other pointing to the public IP address.
A couple of advantages to this set-up:
1) TC works as a Hardware Firewall. This helps to relieve some of the load on the server, because it doesn't have to waste CPU cycles on Firewall activities.
2) SL Server recognizes the fact that you are using a TC and will be able to configure the TC to open up the ports that it needs open to let in stuff from the outside, like port 80 for web services. For this to work well, you will have to disable the firewall on your CR , but do not fear, the TC will be your Firewall. If you don't/can't disable the Firewall on your CR, you will have to open ports as needed on the CR for outside information to get in.
Hope this helps,
Stephen Magladry

Small fast network with Mac mini server and Promise Pegasus?

I have 7 Mac Pros and iMacs that need to be connected to the same storage. I'm doing non MPI-based numerical modeling so the transfer rates have to be fast but not infiniband fast. I'm considering a setup with a Promise Pegasus thunderbolt RAID connected to a Mac Mini running Lion server for Access controll/Roaming homer directories. The Mac Pros and iMacs would the be connected via 1Gb ethernet.
My question is where the bottlenecks in this setup would be. The server software/hardware? The network? What else am I forgetting

I assume you're looking at Mac mini because you've already run the numbers on Mac Pro and ruled it out. I wonder how many buyers are opting for Mac mini solely for those Promise Thunderbolt arrays.
I also assume that each of your users is currently using a single gigabit Ethernet port to connect to the LAN.
If these assumptions are accurate, then I think that a Mac mini will work as long as you and your users have appropriate expectations. The win from putting this server in place won't be networked storage that outperforms an internal SATA drive, although in bursts it probably can. The solution you've described is smart because it's centralized, securable and adds a layer of data protection (RAID).
You asked about bottlenecks. I can think of three, two of which you can work around now or in the near future. The first is Mac mini's slow internal hard drive(s). You'll have a solution in hand: Boot Mac mini from the array. Some consider that to be a controversial choice, but you shouldn't spend extra for the Mac mini server with dual 7200 RPM drives. The less costly Core i7 configure-to-order upgrade will give you a bigger boost.
Booting from the array also protects you from the most likely "repair" scenario for Mac mini: Swapping out your entire machine.
The second issue is Mac mini's lack of an expansion bus. If you get more users or start using apps that demand more from the LAN, you might want to fire up additional gigabit Ethernet ports. Mac mini has just one. At present, the only way to add a gigabit port is with a Thunderbolt PCIe bus expander. Early next year, there should be more options that connect directly or via an intermediate bus like ExpressCard/34 or USB 3.0.
The one limitation you're powerless to work around is RAM. Mac mini tops out at 8 GB. That meets requirements, but it will be tight if you try to use Mac mini as a client and a server. I deploy them headless so no one's tempted to use the console.
You can improve your odds that gigabit will cut it by using heavy, short Cat6 cables and a switch dedicated to the Mac LAN. Use Mac mini's built-in Wi-Fi to keep Remote Desktop and other low-priority traffic off the wire.
Whatever solution you choose, I wish you the best of luck.

New Ipod Touch 5g can't access Internet in home network (using Linksys E4200 router). But, OK with other Wifi.

Just bought new Ipod Touch 5g. I found out it can't access Internet in home network. not really cannot access, but very slow to open any web page, App Store failed to access, etc. But, OK with other Wifi (office & starbucks). Others existing iOS devices (Iphone4 & Ipad2) have no problem like this. I'm using Linksys E4200 router at home. anyone has any idea why?

Try:
- Reset the iPod. Nothing will be lost
Reset iPod touch: Hold down the On/Off button and the Home button at the same time for at
least ten seconds, until the Apple logo appears.
- Power off and then back on the router
- Reset network settings: Settings>GeneralReset>Reset Network Settings
- iOS: Troubleshooting Wi-Fi networks and connections
- iOS: Recommended settings for Wi-Fi routers and access points
- Restore from backup
- Restore to factory settings/new iPod.
- Make an appointment at the Genius Bar of an Apple store.
Apple Retail Store - Genius Bar

Setting up a home network using the new USB551L modem

I have recently switched from the 3G USB760 modem to the new 4G LTE USB511L modem. Since I live in a very rural area, it is one of the few internet options that I have and I am forced to use it for my home. I previously set up a wireless network using the previous modem by connecting a wireless router to my computer by ethernet cord. I then went under the properties of the connection in order to allow other computers/devices to use the connection. Since switching to the new USB modem, the network does not appear under the list of options when using the Windows 7 network connections icon in the lower right corner of the screen. I am trying to set up a similar wireless network for my house but I am having difficulty. It seems that everything will connect to the wireless router but the router is lacking internet connection. Any advice is appreciated.

Your best Option use th eUSB551L in a Hybrid Router:
The MBR95 will work for your situation plus it has 4 etherent ports if you need it, you can connect your network/wireless printers, android, ipad, ps3, xbox, nintendo wii, DVR, satellite, etc....
http://3gstore.com/mbr95
Combine it with a Full Band 3G/4G Hybrid Antenna and you got the best of all worlds
http://3gstore.com/product/3047_3g4g-full-band-outdoor-omni-antenna.html

How to properly configure a home network using both Mac and PC computers

Is there a book or set of guidelines that can tell me how to properly configure (exact specifications) my computers in a home network? Here is what I am trying to do and using:
1) Three computers: iMac (late 06 ver), Macbook (newest version), Dell laptop. The two Macs are using Leopard and the PC is XP.
2) Bellsouth modem which feeds into the Airport Extreme Base Station (AEBS)
3) The AEBS has a USB hub which is connected to a external hard drive and two inkjet printers. A third laser printer/scanner/fax machine is connected to the AEBS via ethernet.
4) All three computers use a wireless connection to the AEBS.
I would like the following:
1) Have a secured and password driven network - don't want outsiders connecting to the nework without permission.
2) All computers to be able to access the USB printers and ext HD.
3) The two Macs to read/write to each other with password access
4) The iMac to have read/write capabalities over the PC via VSFusion or Bootcamp if possible.
Currently, all three have Internet access via the AEBS and can print on the ethernet printer. Both Macs can see the Bonjour USB printers and print (however they to do not display on the AEBS configuration display utility and neither does the ext HD). The USB ext HD is shown on the iMac desktop and I have access to it, but does not display on the MacBook. I have not checked if the PC sees the external HD and it really does not matter if it ever does, although it would be nice.
I am hoping that there is some standard configuration that I can "cut and paste" that is generally used to allow a home network to share resources while still being secure.
Any advice and help is greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
Andrew

Andrew,
What you would like is fairly complicated so this will probably be a lengthy post, but hopefully I can assist you.
As others here have pointed out, networks can vary widely, but the best networks have one element in common: planning. The first thing you need to think about is how you would like all of these systems to cooperate. For instance, do you want one of the machines to serve files to the others and be a central repository, or are you just interested in having them share documents on occasion so that you don't have to carry around, say, a USB key all the time? That said, here is a basic list of things I think you should look into.
1. Network Basics
First step is to get your local network set up. I'd go for WPA or WPA2 wireless security as they are relatively strong standards and you can use human-readable passwords. Additionally, unless you have an explicit need for someone outside your network to initialize a connection (Windows' RDP for instance), do not allow any passthroughs or port redirects on your AEBS.
2. Network Topology
Decide how you want computers and networked devices to identify themselves and their relative locations in the network: in short, do you want static ip's or dynamic ip's? Most of the time, static IP's can be assigned on a DHCP router, the trick is to assign the statics higher than your number of devices (or lower on some routers - for instance Linksys routers start DHCP at 192.168.1.100 but you could have statics from 192.168.1.2 to 192.168.1.99). For instance, it is impractical to set a laptop to static because I'm often in coffee shoppes and other environments that assign via DHCP; on the other hand, it's a good idea to have a printer be static so that you always know where to find it. So, I have 10.0.1.x network (default on AEBS), and the printer is 10.0.1.24, since the likelihood of my encountering an IP conflict with 4 computers on the subnet is virtually zero. If you configure a static device behind your AEBS, defaults are usually
Default Gateway 10.0.1.1
IP Address 10.0.1.(your choice)
Subnet Mask 255.255.255.0
3. File-sharing.
3a) Mac OS X has a built-in SMB/CIFS (Windows file & printer sharing protocol) client, and a basic SMB [samba] server can be enabled in the sharing preference panel (enable file and/or printer sharing). Windows XP can use these shares, but must authenticate. For that reason, you may not be able to see your shares in the Network Places browser, however you should be able to get to them by mapping the network drive (tools menu) or executing RUN with \\computer.name\share.name. You will then be able to type in your credentials. I would also suggest relatively simple names for the Macs in question (set in Sharing preference pane). Typing Andrew's-iMac-G4 in every time you want to find it will get irritating after a while to say the least, especially if you need to troubleshoot.
3b) The reverse works similarly. You can Connect to Server... from Finder to get to the Windows shares. To do this you must have Windows File and Printer sharing enabled (most easily through the Network Setup Wizard in Control Panels - Use Classic View). It's really easy if your account names and passwords are identical on the Mac and PC, because when loading user profiles, the Mac will generally automatically try to authenticate against the Windows machine with your Mac logon credentials. (Windows seems to do this against the Mac as well) You can write an Applescript or there are some PLIST modifications you can make to mount Windows shares at login.
4. Printing
I'm not exactly sure what you had in mind here since I'm not sure what's connected to which computer or directly to the network. If it is possible, I personally find putting my printers directly on the network to be the easiest thing. Especially if printing large PDF or graphics files, the spooling on the host system can really slow the computer down, and slow down printing. For example, I used to have a laserjet on a Windows box and had to print a very large file. Going through a Win print server, it only printed a page every 30 seconds, but when I got a jetdirect adapter, the whole thing was done in under two minutes. If you have HP Printers, I would recommend the jetdirect print servers (I have used with both a laserjet and a supposedly unsupported color inkjet).

Best way to set up home network using Time Capsule

Hi
My current home network consists of Macbook Pro 17 connected wirelessly, another Mac and few pcs. I have a Time Capsule, new netgear router and several hard drives. At the moment my main drive is plugged in via usb to the mac, however id like to set up a proper mini network where i can at least share several drives between macs, HOWEVER i also want to back up this data via TC, which is why at the moment my hard drive is plugged into the mac, so it can be backed up. Am i correct is saying that TC will not backup netwrok drives?
..any suggestions for best way to set up a network with TC backing up drives?
Thanks

paulsutt wrote:
Am i correct is saying that TC will not backup network drives?
Yes.
..any suggestions for best way to set up a network with TC backing up drives?
You could share the locally-connected drive. That would require that your Mac be on whenever any other network client needed to access the drive.

2 Ipod touches sharing a home network? bc mine wont allow msgs to send!

I just recieved an ipod touch 8g as did my gf. She had an old ipod nano so she was able to easily transfer her data and connect to her home network with her apple id. I did not have an apple id until today. when I connected to our internet it now says that her imessage is not connected. however she can sent a msg to her brothers iphone and earlier we had used my ipod touch to facetime. any clues how to work out the kinks and get my msgs. sending ???!

I'm not sure what you're asking. You can install OS X Server on your MBP, but I can't tell from your post what features of OS X Server you're looking to use.
Generally speaking, laptops are not the best platform for servers, but they will work. Some folks bristle when there is mention of a laptop server, some say go for it, and I would say it depends on what the server is needed to do. I've been running a website using a spare copy of 10.4 Server on a G3 iMac for several years - but that's a far cry from using a G3 iMac to really use the functions of OS X Server. If you're satisfied with your backups and file sharing capabilities, a dedicated server may be overkill, and added maintenance. If you want or need more functionality that your current setup provides, then a server is worth considering.
If you're not familiar with OS X Server, there will be a learning curve and possibly some frustration, and you'll want to back up the server as well which may add more work to keeping your network where you want it to be.
So the short answer is, what will the server do?
Jeff

Auto mounting hard drive across a small home network

Hi,
How do you setup a Power Mac 6500 running Mac OS 9.1 to automatically mount it's hard drive at startup onto a PowerMac G4 running Mac OSX 10.2.8? I have a small network at home that I'd like to cross-mount hard drives across.
I can mount the volume just fine manually from either machine. I just don't know the GUI or command on 9.1 to do the mounting automatically at startup.
Any ideas, or suggestions would be greatly appreciated!
Ed

Here's the (partial) answer I was looking for.
To go from a remote machine --> 6500, do the following:
1) Open "Chooser".
2) Select "Apple Share".
3) Type in the DNS name of the computer you want to mount onto the 6500 in the box labeled "Server IP Address". If TCP/IP isn't active, then type in the numerical IP address.
4) When prompted, type in the password for your keychain, and then the account name and password on the remote machine that you want to automount.
5) Then select the drive (share), or shares, you wish to mount.
6) To automount at startup, check the box "Allow at Startup".
To get the share on the remote machine to automount at Startup, your keychain must be readable by the AppleShare application at Startup (ie. the "Allow access without warning" box on the keychain should be checked).
To go in the other direction, ie. 6500 --> Remote machine:
To automount the 6500's hard drive onto a G4, one needs to do that configuration on the G4, via NetInfo or launchd, depending upon the version of Mac OSX. These get into UNIX networking commands, which is probably outside the main scope of this forum. I'm working on getting the UNIX boxes configured now. If anyone would like to know the commands, just post back here.
I found out how to use the "Chooser" on Mac OS9.x platforms from p. 68 of the Apple manual "Mac OSX Server: File Services Administration for 10.4 or later".
The Apple Technical Note 1111 on programmatic mounting of shares under AppleShare is also useful.
Ed

Can I set up a small home network on mt BThub3

Hi,
I have two standard PCs one running on Vista and the other on XP also a laptop. They all successfully access the internet via a BT Hub 3. One computer connects via a LAN cable the laptop and the other computer connect via a wirless connection
If possible I would like to network these three computers via the BT hub for data transfer and also for the computers to use the single printer I have.
I have read various items about setting up the computers to share a printer but as I have no experience of networks and how to intergrate the computers through the hub.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
David

This is quite straighforward, but I would recommend that you look at one of the many help pages on the web, that describe in detail what you need to do.
The home hub does not really play any part in this, its just an interconnection point.
Here is a page to get you started with Windows XP.
http://compnetworking.about.com/od/windowsxpnetworking/ht/sharewinxpfiles.htm
and Vista
http://windows.about.com/od/networkconnect/ss/sharing_files_printers_all.htm
There are some useful help pages here, for BT Broadband customers only, on my personal website.
BT Broadband customers - help with broadband, WiFi, networking, e-mail and phones.

Newbie - setting up small home network

I'm hoping to get some advice & suggestions. I'm basically a newbie at teching w/macs - I've done some pc teching over the years and am a MS Office wiz. I'm helping an artist friend out with their home office set up after a bad experience with a Computer School Student. I'm trying to connect a week old iMac w/ a G4 laptop and an older 2004 iMac (no airport card). The office has Verizon DSL w/a linksys router --- the internet functions are fine on all machines, the new iMac & laptop connect for file sharing as well although I have the prob of not knowing the admin password and the owner can't remember it. The old 04iMac I've hotwired/hardwired through the router and get internet & email ok (its a bit slow, probly normal).
File sharing - am I correct in assuming that the hardwired 04iMac can't do both functions (ie file share & internet) at the same time? There is space for an airport to be installed - IF the owner chose to do so, would that change the functionality (ie could I then do the file sharing & internet at the same time?).
Password issue - ok with the laptop, I searched the files and found instructions on how to reset the password. I tried it but didn't get the prompts that the article said I would in nvram (geez I hope that's right or I'll look like a dork). I wasn't prompted for my password. I did safely get out of that screen (boy I was nervous) the passwords remained the same. I'm wondering if I missed something. I wasn't sure if I really was booted from the CD as the article stated, though I did hold the C key down while restarting?
Any comments will be much appreciated. I'm doing pretty good and LOVE mac's. Can't wait to get my own probly MacBook Pro this year (I use the BF's off and on for now)
Thanks in advance,
Simply,
Lesa

Thank you, I got the password issue solved and the laptop and New iMac network/talk to each other fine and I can print from either machine. The 04 iMac is hard wired into the Linksys router (DSL internet service) ... I can't figure out how to connect to the other machines or the printer. I have the printer chosen in Utilities/Print Center, I have the Apple Talk - Make Apple Talk Active chosen, Location is set on Automatic. In File Sharing, I have Personal file sharing and Printer sharing checked. I have 2 accounts set up on the 04 iMac. When I type a test page in Text Edit and hit the print que, the job appears to be sent to the printer although it didn't show up in the Print Center window and almost immediately the Text Edit program crashes, this also happened in Safari as I attempted to print a test internet page and happens from both Accounts, the Admin account and my other User Account.
I also have had some difficulty with keeping the DSL/internet connection running on the other User Account - though it seems to be working ok today.
One other - non-networking issue is that in Mail for my other User Account, often when the machine automatically checks for or sends email we are asked for the password although we keep checking the box to save the password and I'm pretty sure I set Mail up so that we wouldn't have to re-enter the password.
Thanks in advance - I appreciate your help and experience as well as having a place to ask questions and reach out for help.
Simply,
Lesa

Help setting up small home network with PC and an imac!!!?

I have an imac in my room, and my mother has a JP PC in her room across the house. We have a router and modem on her computer(I connect to the internet through the router signal)
I just recently bought a new printer. It is a wifi printer. I was told by a friend that I need to setup a small netowrk so all the computers/printers in the house can talk to one another. Because right now my printer is installed and connected to the router signal (but my computer does not reconize it to print....)
I started a small network on my moms PC...but when I can't make a network CD like it tells me to because my computer is a Mac....how do I continue to setup this network?Can I set it up first on my mac as well???PLEASE HELP! I want to use my printer!

You can just connect the WRT54G wireless router’s LAN port to BEFSR41 router’s LAN port by using a network cable as specified in this configuring wireless router as access point article, after that can connect other computers to that wireless router with or without cable. Finally do more test to check the performance. Hope it helps.

Unable to connect to home network using a Linksys WRT110 router

I recently had to upgrade from a Linksys G router to a new router--the Linksys WRT110. I was able to connect to the WiFi using my Palm TX prior to doing a firmware update to the Linksys WRT110. Now, my Palm TX doesn't even recognize that there is a network. I put the network name in manually and it still won't connect. I don't know what else to do! Incidentally, my home computer and my laptop connect to the router wirelessly just fine. I appreciate any help that i can get to enable me to use my WiFi on my Palm TX at home.
Thanks.
Post relates to: Palm TX

Please read through the Wifi Checklist at the top of this section for some hints.
WyreNut
Post relates to: Centro (AT&T)
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Small home network using a mini

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