Home Office Network Setup

Sorry in advance. Just spent the better part of the weekend trying to find related post/replies...and just got woefully confused.
I do architectural graphics and work primarily on a mac for PShop, Illustrator, InDesign, and Sketchup. I also use a PC to work in AutoCAD. Trying to update my OSes (major backup needed, hence the external drive)AND streamline my workflow.
Currently, I use sneakernet/flashdrive to share graphics files between the two platforms. This is getting old. Was told I could share an external hard drive between the two. Bought one without researching HOW-TO first. My bad. Before integrating the hard drive, would like to create a home-office network. (hard drive not connected yet)
Here's what I have:
imac G4 17-inch, OS X 10.4.11, NO airport extreme card installed
Dell Latitude D610 notebook, Windows XP, sp1 (I know, updating after success here)
My Book External Hard Drive (non-portable, TO BE usb-connected to imac)
ABS Snow
A few pre-bluetooth printers
*Current set up*, archaic, but works fine:
Cable modem> ethernet> ABS (WAN port)
ABS (LAN port)>ethernet> imac g4
Windows wireless to ABS
Printer > usb > imac
What I want to do:
1) Print wirelessly from pc.
2) Access my mac-stored graphic files from pc.
3) Share external drive with mac and pc without having to do the sneaker-flash drive dance. I intend on connecting directly from mac via usb.
4) Read/write SHARED files to/from said external drive with either mac or pc.
5) Use external drive for backups, mac and pc.
6) Share iTunes library between pc and mac.
Money's my biggest limitation, or I'd just go buy a newer extreme w/ usb ports, etc. After trying to piecemeal the 5000 related posts I've read, I officially have no idea where to start.
I THINK I understand how to share files/folders between the two (http://www.ifelix.net/tech/3020.html) With my current setup, can I simply use file sharing in a similar way to connect PC to external hard drive? printer?
I THINK I will be moving my mac documents/graphic files/music to the external hard drive. I THINK I will chose the moved folders on this _external hard drive_ that I want to pc-share. I THINK the mac-pc compatible external drive will allow equal read/write access. I THINK it's going to be THIS easy.
BUT...does the Snow have the capacity to support my intended network (internet, external drive, printer)? Or will the mac need an airport extreme card to make this work?
Also, any thoughts on partitioning the external drive? I've read some posts elsewhere with that recommendation. It seems like a potential headache since I'll be sharing things like music and graphic files.
I have some serious backing up and general hd cleanup to do but am petrified to lose everything in my attempt to share this external disk. Help! Mega-many thank you's if you made it this far in the post!

Does the mac need to be wireless in order to utilize file sharing or 'Connect to Server' commands?
No. You can do both via an Ethernet connection. A matter of fact, file sharing will be demonstrably faster with Ethernet as compared to wireless.
Do I need programs like DAVE and/or SAMBA to make all this wireless talk happen?
Neither. These have nothing to do with wireless connectivity. When sharing files between Macs, you will utilize AFP which is built-in OS X. Sharing with Windows/Linux clients will require SMB. This too is available from OS X.
It sounds like, by your post, that the pc will only network with peripherals directly connected to the router (snow) and NOT to peripherals connected to the mac, which is wired to the snow. Is that correct?
Sorry, if I mislead you. That is not true. A PC can access either devices connected wired/wirelessly to the Snow or to devices connected to a Mac that is sharing them.
Let me know if the AFP link I provided doesn't answer all your questions. You may also find the following iFelix link handy: Sharing files between a Windows XP PC and a Mac running OS 10.4.x

Similar Messages

Home/Office network setup (Mini Lan Network) if possible?

Hi,
To all the people that know what the best way to set up a home to office network such as the diagram below, please help us out with the following questions:
I hope that someone can understand the diagram. Anyways,
We currently have both setups, but there is no network communication either through Home nor Office where a PC will talk to a Mac or vic versa, nor through connecting through the internet where our office machines will talk to the home machines and vices versa. This is where my requirements for such a setup is needed.
Our Office uses the iMac for general Administration/Accounting work, whilst the PC is used for Engineering Draft work and others. The home machines; the PC again is used for Engineering work and others whilst the Mac is a general Purpose machine used by most members of the house hold.
Basically speaking, we would like to somehow link all peripherals and machines in such a way that:
- The home machines can talk to each other and their respective connected devices as well as the Office machines and their respective devices.
- The Office machines can talk to each other and their respective connected devices as well as the Home machines and their respective devices.
Currently the setup is as follows:
Home: PC : Has one main user for doing Engineering work and General other purpose activities.
MAC : Has multiple Accounts for doing general work
Office: PC : Has one main user for doing Engineering work and General other purpose activities.
MAC : Has 3 accounts; One for main Admin user and the other two only to access MYOB accounting and shared folders.
If I can get a point listing of how to achieve all this, I would be very grateful. Also, due to software licensing imposed by S/W companies what would be the best way to reduce the number of software bought for each computer only to be run from one main machine... similar to how program linking worked in Mac OS 9.2.2. I would like to do this through Virtaul PC running off the iMac and say running Microsoft Office from the P3. I currently have MS remote Desktop connection but this logs out the user that would otherwise been logged on when I hook up to the PC, is there another way?
I hope to get lots of feed back for this one guys.
Thanks
Tibs
<pre>
Home/Office Network Diagram:
PC (P4/2GHz Win 2000 Professional) Mac ( Dual Boot Dual 1.25GHz G4/ Tiger 10.4.9)
- Microsoft Office - General Software
- Engineering Software
| |
| |
| |
---------------------- SWITCH (100MBps) -------------------------
|
|
|
ADSL/CABLE Modem
|
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------- HOME
|
INTERNET
|
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------- OFFICE
|
ADSL/CABLE Modem
|
|
|
---------------------- SWITCH (100MBps) -------------------------
| |
| |
| |
PC (P3 800MHz/ Win 2000 Professional) iMac ( 1GHz G4/ Tiger 10.4.9)----------------------------- USB HUB ----------------------
- Engineering Software - MYOB Account Edge Version 6 | | |
- Microsoft Office - Virtual PC 6.1.1 | | |
| - Apple Works 6.2.4 | | |
| Epson Scanner Lexmark BW Laser Brother Fax
| |
|
---------------------------------- |--- FW 400 Ext. HD 80GB
| |
| |
HP A0 EPSON COLOUR
(NETWORK PLOTTER/PRINTER) (NETWORK LASER PRINTER)
</pre>
PPC MDD Dual Boot/Dual 1.25GHz Mac OS 9.2.x 2 x 23" Apple HD Display, 2GB RAM, 2x150GB + 1x1TB HD
PPC MDD Dual Boot/Dual 1.25GHz Mac OS 9.2.x 2 x 23" Apple HD Display, 2GB RAM, 2x150GB + 1x1TB HD

You should study VNC.
You will need to configure the router at work, to accept and forward VNC connections. (open port 5900, forward to computer#1's IP address. open port 5901, forward to computer#2's IP address...see below)
You will need to set up work computers to be running as VNC servers.
Work computers should also be configured to have static IP inside the LAN. Your router will need a fixed IP address to forward VNC traffic into.
standard listening port for VNC is 5900 (i think), and each VNC server can be set to listen on different port. (5900,5901,etc)
You will need to configure home computers to be VNC client.
On home computer, in order to connect to work computer #1, run VNC client to connect to Work Public IP address (WAN router address) on port 5905(or whatever standard VNC port is). Work router will forward that hit on VNC port, into work computer#1.
More FAQ here:
http://www.google.com/search?num=100&hl=en&safe=off&q=vnc+faq&btnG=Search

Home Office Network Software Challenges - Post HP Support Assistant Update

Hi
I have an existing home office network setup on an HP Officejet 7410 with assistance from 'Dean' at the end of 2009 / early 2010.
Essentially I have a relatively new HP Compaq 6000 Pro MT Windows 7 32 bit main desktop connected by ethernet to a Netgear DG834GT router, a wirelessly connected Vista Business 32 bit laptop I use when in London and a secondary wirelessly connected family XP Pro Desktop.
All has been running smoothly until fairly recent HP Support Assistant updates for the main desktop - this has caused the HP all in one not to function and corrupted the HP Support Assistant software. I have tried uninstalling the HP 7410 software and have had to use Revo Uninstaller on a medium setting to remove some stubborn programme elements.
I am now unable to reinstall using the Full HP Software suite but have managed to get the printer part working using the basic HP driver download.
Can anyone provide assistance as to how to get back my computer and printer functionality ?
I did try contacting HP support but as it is an old printer they will not provide support (without considerable charge) despite being related to their own HP update software on my somewhat newer (but again out of warranty) Win 7 main desktop.
If I can not solve this problem by uninstalling and reinstalling the software I will be forced to consider a new printer (for which I will get support) but currently the most likely candidate is going to be a move to Epson which would be a shame after over 15 years of sticking with HP.
I look forward to hearing of any possible solutions but please let me know if you need any further info from my end.

Sorry to hear you also have a similar issue. I tried every thing I knew but unfortunately due to the lack of support I gave up ,and ended up purchasing a new printer from a competitor after 15 years of using HP printers. It was a great shame as HP had always been the leading choice for me as a small business.

Help/Advice needed on setting up home office network please

Hi
I hope someone can help me with some technical difficulties i am having with a home / office network.
Computer equipment i have is:
2 desktop PCs on same floor different rooms.
2 laptop PCs to be used wired in office and/or Wifi if possible any room
2 Apple mac Laptops to be used wired in office and/or Wifi in any room.
1 HP Laser printer with network enabled
1 TB HDD network enabled
1 Linksys WiFi extender unit
Connection equipment:
I have an NTL Cable modem
Linksys WR54G ver 2 router ( with the option of going to aLinksys WRT300N ver 2 router)
A Netgear Dual speed hub DS116
What i would like to do is have one office holding 1 desktop pc, 1 HP Printer and the other office holding the 2nd desktop PC with USB printer attached. I would like to be able to go Wifi around the house for all PC & Mac Laptops with the option of connecting them by wire in the office if required.
Idealy i would like to be able to share files, folders and printers between all units as well as all having internet access through the router's firewall.
I also use Zone Alarm Pro.
At the moment i have in one office the WR54G attached to the cable modem with one Desktop PC wired in to one of the 4 ports. in a 2nd port i have a cable going to the 2nd office into the DS116.
Connected to the DS116 is the 2nd Desktop PC, the HP Laser printer and the 1TB HDD.
The Wifi extender is in another room.
For some reason every now and then the whole system goes wobbly and seems to loose settings at which point internet access is denied and ihave to go back to 1 pc into the cable modem and starting rebuilding the network.
Can anyone give me an idiots guide to settin this kind of system up with specificsettings on each item if possible.
I would say i would also like to use 1 desktop PC for gaming now and then which at the moment sems very hit and miss with speed etc.
Any help warmly welcomed
Best Rgds
Kev

ryclark wrote:
Following on from Steve's advice I would probably not bring the unwanted channels all the way down on the faders, either in a live mix or if mixing subsequently in Audition, as it may change the background acoustic too much. Leaving a bit of the background mics faded up a bit helps to pull the whole recording together and also means you have a better chance of getting all the faders back up in time for when they are needed without missing anything.
I didn't actually touch on this at all - perhaps I should have. There's definitely more than one way to undertake this sort of operation, and it rather depends on exactly what equipment you have available. So far, we know you've got potentially 16 channels available, but have no idea how you were planning to cover the different aspects of it. For instance, I would always consider it worth it to have a pair of ambience mics up all the time - which would get around this particular problem anyway....
The other thing you really have to pay quite a bit of attention to before you start is making damn sure (the previous day) that everything is in good order, and it all works when connected together. And if, for instance, you're going to rely on radio mic feeds from clergy, that you can tap into these without difficulty, etc. Make sure your mic stands are not falling apart, and that you've got all the right mic stand adaptors - amazing how many times people have screwed that one up!
What this generally means is that even if you're familiar with the location, you still need to do a reccé just to make sure that everything in the venue is as you think. And if you can grab a dedicated assistant for the event, go for it. This can make carting stuff about a lot easier, and provide additional security for your equipment. And sometimes other benefits too, like tea...

Small Office Network Setup Help

Hi folks,
We are renting a small office in a floor which consists of many offices. The way internet is distributed here is, they have a verizon fios router and a couple of unmanaged switch, from which cables are run to offices for internet. One of the port on a switch is dedicated to our office.
In our office we have 6 computers and a network printer. The computers need to share files with each other and be able to print.
We want to isolate our office network from others. When we use an unmanaged switch, the version router dhcp assigns ip addresses to computers and we are able to access the internet. The verizon local ip is: 192.168.1.xxx. But we can also see computers that are of other offices, which means they can see us.
How do we create a separate network? Say we want to use IP 192.168.10.XXX or 10.0.0.xxx. We just bought a 24 port managed (L2) switch.
Thanks

Hello, rjbm_exact.
You definitely need a managed switch and a Cisco Small Business (200 or 300 series) can meet your requirements. You can setup separate VLAN to segregate user access level. Are you also looking at expanding your wireless (guest access)?
Let me know if you need more assistance or e-mail ([email protected]) me directly. Kind regards.

Home Office Server setup question: re RAID or not on Mac Mini Server

I recently purchased a Mac Mini with OS X Server (10.6) for my home office. I also have an AEB.
Is there any point in configuring the 2 500G disks as a RAID 1 setup? Given Time Machine backup and an inability to easily open it up and replace in case of a single drive failure, I don't see the point. But maybe I'm missing something.
Rather, I think the best setup is to use the main drive for the OS and services data, and drive 2 for user home directories.
Anyone have a recommendation for using the 2 drives?

for the two mini servers i've configured so far for clients, the internal drives are used just as a raid1 boot volume with data and backups stored on different external drives.
i chose to mirror the drives to add some redundancy. realistically, i'm not onsite with these clients all the time, and i'd prefer they can continue operating if one drive fails. replacing an internal drive isn't as easy as on other models, but it's a manageable process.

Home Office Server setup questions: re: firewall

I recently purchased a Mac Mini with OS X Server (10.6) for my home office. I also have an AEB.
I'm pondering two options for managing network traffic. I want to enable VPN for any access to the Mail, iCal, etc. I also will have a public website and public email.
10.6 Server Firewall vs. AEB
Option 1: Use AEB to prevent all incoming traffic and use port mapping (and probably automatic control via Server) to allow only those ports I want external access to (likely just Web, SMTP mail and VPN).
Option 2: Use Snow Leopard as a "default host" and allow AEB to forward all traffic and then use the Server firewall to manage incoming traffic
I think I should do option 1. But I'd like to know what other folks think.

for the two mini servers i've configured so far for clients, the internal drives are used just as a raid1 boot volume with data and backups stored on different external drives.
i chose to mirror the drives to add some redundancy. realistically, i'm not onsite with these clients all the time, and i'd prefer they can continue operating if one drive fails. replacing an internal drive isn't as easy as on other models, but it's a manageable process.

Home Office Server setup question: re Time Machine

I recently purchased a Mac Mini with OS X Server (10.6) for my home office. I also have an AEB.
I'm pondering two options for backing up via Time Machine
10.6 Server Managed Time Machine vs. AEB AirDisks
Option 1: Use AEB AirDisks and have all machines - including the server - backup to the time machine.
Option 2: Use Snow Leopard as the backup server. Connect the external drives to the Server and manage all backups there.
I'm thinking Option 2 because it coordinates with the Managed Workgroup and isn't using AirDisk access. But I'm not sure why I need to send all of the data through the server and impact its overall performance. Either way the traffic goes through the AEB so that's a moot point. And then again maybe the backup isn't a big deal for the server either.
Looking for recommendations.
FYI, my backup is a simple RAID 1 config.

I don;t believe TM will give you a complete backup of your server, as there are some files that change frequently, and some items that TM does not copy.
If you're looking for an automated solution, consider SuperDuper, CCC, or even an online service like Carbonite. There are other backup solutions as well if you google around but they may be overkill (and expensive) for your needs.

WAN Remote Office Network Setup with VOiP using AX

Dear All,
I am setting up our new office and I love the USB Backup and Print capability of the Airport Extreme (AX) - that's the easy part.
I would also like to use VOiP.
Ontop of this we are pinching the broadband connection from our sister company in the next door office by running a WAN cable between our AX and their router.
My concerns/ questions are... can I use this WAN connection to take the internet from next door like I am hoping?
If I do this will they be able to access our network and us theirs or is there a way of putting an access block on the WAN line?
Finally how do I get VOiP on the AX? At home my BT Homehub router acts as a phone base station and you can register any number of cordless handsets to it. Can I do something similar with the AX or...
can I plug my BT Homehub into the AX via LAN and use VOiP that way?
Sorry for many questions though I greatly appreciate any advice.
HReily

You posted in the AirPort Extreme base station (AEBS) discussion area but you refer to AirPort Express (AX). Which one do you have?
My concerns/ questions are... can I use this WAN connection to take the internet from next door like I am hoping?
Yes
If I do this will they be able to access our network and us theirs or is there a way of putting an access block on the WAN line?
If you configure the base station to share a single IP address they won't be able to access your network directly. However they would be able to monitor the Ethernet connection and intercept and view any traffic from your network.
You would be able to see their network.
Finally how do I get VOiP on the AX?
None of Apple's base stations have any special ability to handle VoIP. The VoIP data would travel through the base station just like any other piece of digital data.
At home my BT Homehub router acts as a phone base station and you can register any number of cordless handsets to it. Can I do something similar with the AX or...
No
can I plug my BT Homehub into the AX via LAN and use VOiP that way?
I have no clue.

Newb needs help w small office network setup

Just started a new job at small start-up company that needs their 6-7 macs and a couple of printers networked. I'm just a designer and I'm trying to help but I'm not familiar with osX networking and I hope someone could point me in the right direction. Currently the owner has DSL on all the computers so there is an ethernet cable in each one to a router or hub i believe.
Currently when I try to connect via Go menu to Connect to server, there is no list. If I type in the name of one of the other computers and try to connect I get:
"Connection failed. The server may not exist of it is not operational at this time. Check the server name or IP address and try again."
I don't really know where to start or what questions to ask but I hope having an ethernet cable system already in place is a good thing.
Your help appreciated

I'm starting out with 2 computers near me, G4 HOMER
and G4 MINI. Both are connecting to the net via
ethernet. Personal File Sharing is ON on both.
On G4 MINI, I can see G4 HOMER, but when trying to
connect (Go>Connect to server>G4 HOMER) get
"ConnectionFailed -Server may not exist or is not
operational"
when connecting ot the server try using G4-HOMER.local as the server address.

New office network setup idea, can anyone help!

Hi all
I wish to do the following and would help and advice from this group to guide our purchases and development of the following;
I wish to set up a company dedicated LAN [with wifi access]. We also need to access the system via ftp and some way remotely connect from several laptops on the road to a main server securely. BUT we will also need to access a few PC programs either jointly on a Mac server AND a PC linked up or just with a Mac. We already have a real mix of systems needing to access the proposed setup. Mac Mini's. ibooks, Ti's Intel Apple's G5's and so on.
Can you guys suggest a low learning curve, reliable setup?

You'll probably want to take up this question in the Mac OS X Networking forum. This forum is for questions about Apple Remote Desktop, Apple's application for managing networked Macs and so probably not the forum where you'll be most likely to get help and advice for your situation.
Regards.

Setting up a home office network

I'm looking for some simple, straight forward instruction as to how I can use my Airport Extreme base station to network together my MacBook Pro, a G4 tower (connected to Airport Extreme via the Ethernet LAN port) and a PC laptop.
I want to be able to move files between the MacBook Pro and the PC laptop. (right now I have to use email to do that.) I want to use the G4 as a file server for both computers.
The Ethernet WAN port of the base station is connected to my cable modem. Right now I can wirelessly access the internet on both the MacBook Pro and the PC laptop. No problems there. No internet access on the G4.
I can network the PC laptop to the MacBook Pro, but I can only move things off the MacBook Pro onto the PC, not the other way around.
Could anyone direct me to some simple instructions as to how to make this network work? There's a lovely little drawing in the Airport setup guide, and mine looks just like the one in the picture...it just doesn't work.

Your network configuration, with the AirPort Extreme Base Station (AEBS), should look something like the following...
Cable modem > (Ethernet cable) > [WAN port] AEBS [LAN port] > (Ethernet cable) > [Ethernet port] G4, AND AEBS > (wireless) > MacBook Pro & PC laptop
To share files between the Macs and the PC, check out this iFelix reference: http://www.ifelix.co.uk/tech/3020.html

Small Office Network Setup

Hello everyone! Pretty soon I will be starting a graphic design, video, and music production company with my brother and friend. All 3 sections will be using apple macs. I was just wondering if any of you can offer suggestions as far as networking hardware and software. Or any how-to-guides. I believe we will be using 7 plus macs and will need room for expansion. Also looking into getting the Xserve. Thanks for all your help!

I am no networking expert but I will tell you what we use for a 7-mac network.
Router: Linksys RV0041
Switch: Linksys Etherfast 3124 24-port switch (EF3124)
These work fine managing network traffic and have good enough throughput for our use. The router gives the network firewall protection but still allows access from the internet for one Mac we use as a web server and mail server.
Be sure you design backup into your network. You might consider using one Mac to run full time just to manage backup using Retrospect. Also make sure your rotate your backed-up files off-site periodically (for example to a safe deposit box). This means having at least two good-size external hard drives. Your whole new business will be on this network and you have to have not only an onsite backup for quick restore but also an offsite version in case your place burns down. This may sound extreme --but your new business will be out of business without secure backup.
G5 Dual 2.0 Mac OS X (10.4.4)
G5 Dual 2.0 Mac OS X (10.4.3)

Switching between office network & home adsl modem

Small problem. Is it possible for my iBook to automatically detect whether I'm connected to either my office network or my home USB adsl modem? At present, I have to manually go into System Preferences/Network and switch from one to the other and then perform a re-start. Obviously a real pain! There must be an easier way.

Hi there
I don't think that the iBook will able to switch automatically between the two networks depending on where you are. The easiest solution, in my opinion, is to set up two locations in your network preferences, one for home and one for office. Once the two locations are set up then all you need to do to switch between them is to go to the apple menu in the finder and you should see a 'Location' submenu where you can select either the home or office setups without having to go into system preferences. Hope this helps.
William
iBook G3 700MHz Mac OS X (10.4.3)

Home Office Setup

This is probably a very simple question, but I'll ask anyway!
I have a couple of clients that want to set up a home office configuration providing a PC, wireless and VOIP handset configuration, providing the same functionality as though they were in the office.
At the main office, I have an ISR 877 providing a basic ASDL connection and connected to that I have an ASA5505 providing the firewall, VPN access etc.
I'm thinking that I can install a ISR 851 or similar at the home site, which will have it's WAN port connected to the existing Broadband router. I can then create a VPN connection (IPSec or Site-to-site?) to the main office through the ASA and hey presto, I have some happy users!!
The things that I want to clarify are:
1) Can the ISR 851 connected to an existing Broadband router through the FE, thus making a little secure business subnetwork within their home network.
2) Am I going to need an IP at the home end? Or would I ensure the connection through the VPN through other means?
3) Are there other, better ways to do this?
Bear in mind that there isn't a huge budget to change the main office setup. I really want to buy an ISR, configure and install....
Thanks in advance for any help...
Campbell Thompson
http://www.etonbridge.com

You do not need a public IP if you use EZVPN:
http://www.cisco.com/en/US/tech/tk583/tk372/technologies_configuration_example09186a0080808395.shtml
We used this once for a customer who had only one IP terminated on the router. We configured EZVPN on an ASA5505 but this should work with IOS routers as well.
regards,
Leo

Home Office Network Setup

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