Using an iMac as a wireless station

Sorry if this has been answered before, but I did a search and could not find an answer. I am looking into getting an AppleTV and am wondering if it is possible to use my iMac as my wireless station in lieu of buying a base station (whether that be an Express or an Extreme). If so how do I go about setting that up, and what kind of broadcast range should I expect from my iMac? Or should I just buy a base station and use that? If so, any favorites?
Thanks for your help.

You can set up an Ad Hoc network from an imac and manage without a new base station, in my experience range appears to be reduced when setting up such a network, but I don't actually use an Ad Hoc network so am not realy very well placed to comment on performance.
As to how to set up a network, best wait until you have the equipment in front of you.

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Can I use my iMac as a wireless base station

Hi Everyone
I would like some help on using my I5 Imac as my entry point to a wireless system. I have the ethernet connected to my Imac, I have gone to sharing and selected internet sharing so as to use my Imac as the unit sending out the wireless signal. First questions, with LION osx how do I password protect this wieless network I'm setting up?
Next I have 2 airport expresses. On is used to extend the range of my Imac signal and the other connected to speakers. Can someone walk me through the steps in airport utility to A - extend the Imac range using one of the airport expresses and B - connect to my powered speaker.
A lot to ask but any help would be greatly appreciated
Cheers
Al

try the following:
http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/MacOS_X_Tiger/Networking_your_Mac#Share_an_InternetConnection

Using 27" iMac as a wireless router

So my old wireless router (Netgear) has been going bad for a while and I finally chucked it. I read how to set up the iMac as a router and have done this to support two Mac laptops and a Touch. It works quite well and I just figured out how to get my printer onto the network tonight. My concern is how this will affect the overall life span of the iMac?

Yea just get a new Wireless N router, they are really fast. Apple's routers are pretty good and setup is easy, however if you want something different, more control, more tough looking then choose any other router that suits you.
The router also a USB port to connect to the printer, so your not tying up a port on the computer.
Just make sure whatever router you choose, that you have researched for any security issues first, how to apply firmware updates. I would watch out for Wireless G routers on sale, they are slower and the vendor might not be issuing patches as they don't see it as worthwhile or it's unable to be patched.
Here's my instructions for setting up a router for those who don't know how much trouble Apple save thoses using their own routers. Some router companies provide easier software that's only available on Windows, also the software tends to not implelemt enough security features. But most all routers are accessible through a web browser hooked directly via Ethernet cable, to the router's single IN port.
Keep in mind only WPA2 with AES is the only wifi encryption that hasn't been cracked.
You do these things after you have checked to see and applied, any firmware updates for your router.
A flawed router is a insecure one and can be remotely hacked. Check your router makers website for firmware updates. (Apple Airports firmware update via Software Update in Admin User)
You hook your computer directly to the modem to find any router software updates and download them so you can apply it to your router later. Also get the instructions as well.
To set up the router, use a Ethernet cable from your computer to your router where the "in" port is located. (obviously you can't be hooked up to the modem and be exposed online while configuring the routers security!)
Now fire up the computer and open a secure web browser like Firefox and enter
http://192.168.1.1
in the address bar (where http://www.yahoo.com would go)
Not not all routers use that IP for access, so you have to double check what yours is for your particular brand of router. Note: Your accessing the routers web page at http://192.168.1.1, not a site on the internet.
Set the following:
1: WPA2 with AES Personal, create a network name otherwsie called a SSID.
2: Admin password: 24 or more random characters, letters and numbers. Write it down on paper.
3: Guest access password: 24 or more random characters, letters and numbers. But not the same as Admin password. Write it down on paper.
4: Disable Ping and Remote access if the option exists (unless your going to remote admin the router over the internet, unlikely)
5: You can leave MAC address filtering alone. You can leave "hidden" or "invisible" alone, both are no protection against hackers.
That should be it. Disconnect and plug the Ethernet cable into your activated and powered up modem.
If you don't know if you got a internet connection (new installs you have to call the ISP) just hook up the Ethernet cable from your computer to the modem and see if you can get on the Internet. If so then your ok.
Hook up the Ethernet cable from the router in the "in" port to the modem. Power up the router and wait a bit.
Now go into your computer in the lower right (upper right for Mac's) and click on the network icon and you should be seeing the name of your network. Select it and log into it only using the Guest name and password, not the Admin name and password.
Using a Guest name and password protects the router from being tampered with. You only use the Admin password to make changes to the router. Don't use it as a internet connection as your operating system remembers the password and can be compromised.
If your computer gets compromised, they can't alter the router settings or DNS to send you (and others) to malicious sites if they don't have the router Admin password.
Enjoy!

Using iMac as a wireless base station.

Is it possible to have my iMac broadcast a wireless connection through airport to allow computers to join AND to get online, basically using the iMac as a wireless router. The iMac is currently connected through a LAN line.

Yes. It's a built-in function.
Open System Preferences Sharing pane. With Tiger, click on the Internet tab. Set things there so that you:
+Share your connection from+ *Built-in Ethernet*
+To computer using+ Airport
Click the +Airport Options+ button to set up the wireless network. Note (or change) the name of the network. OK out of that dialog.
Click the Start button.
On the computers using this service, look for the network name you noted above.

Can I use my iMac i5 as a WiFi base station?

I have an iMac i5, which is supposed to have a built-in Air Port Extreme card. My problem is that my regular WiFi (a Verizon-supplied FiOs combination WiFi/Router) is for some reason not working well the past couple of days. We can't figure out why, and we may need to get a new router from Verizon. All my family's computers (four PC laptops, an iPod Touch, an iPad, the iMac and a desktop PC, see below, and no, they aren't all turned on at the same time).
I have two major desktop computers in my downstairs office, a PC that I use for trading (because none of my brokers have platforms that work with the Mac) and the iMac, which I use for the production of an Internet video broadcast. I had previously hooked up my iMac via the WiFi, and the PC was connected using the Ethernet cable because it does not have a wireless.
Since the WiFi signal has suddenly gone bad, I've had to connect the Mac via the Ethernet cable. It might take weeks to get my WiFi problems straightened out, and I can't afford any down time. Would it be possible to use my iMac as a secondary WiFi base station, and then get a WiFi card for the PC trading computer and hook up wirelessly through the iMac?
The other option would have me running another 100 feet of Ethernet cable from the router, which is a mess and would require more holes drilled through the walls and floor. Or another option would be to daisy-chain the single Ethernet cable to service both the iMac and the PC, but I'm not sure if the Verizon router would support that.
Many thanks for all help. J Beau

FYI. This results in a "double nat". Most browsing should be fine but if you have problems with various network protocols talking between your wired and wifi computers, Bonjour or Airplay for example, it is because you are double NATed for your wifi clients.
I would strongly recommend that you invest in a wifi access point to handle you wifi needs. Many manufactures make a pure access point model that is not also a router.

I am using Photoshop CS5 on a new iMac with a wireless keyboard. I used to be able to hit F11 to perform a custom sharpening action but now the F11 key is the volume control key and I have tried everything to disable or switch the volume key. I have also

I am using Photoshop CS5 on a new iMac with a wireless keyboard. I used to be able to hit F11 to perform a custom sharpening action but now the F11 key is the volume control key and I have tried everything to disable or switch the volume key. I have also tried assigning other function keys to initiate the action. Is there a simple solution to this? What am I missing?

Try unmounting the volume on your iMac using Disk Utility. Then mount it again. You may need to reboot the laptop or relaunch its Finder process (using the Force Quit window) after remounting the drive on your iMac. Remember that no process may be accessing any files on the drive you plan to unmount, or the unmount will fail. Unmounting and remounting an external drive on my iMac made it become visible on my MacBook Pro after it had disappeared.

Can i wirelessly use an imac screen from my macbook air?

I have a new imac and a macbook air. can i wirelessly use the imac as a second screen from my macbook air?

Use a product such as ScreenRecycler.
(90406)

Assigned F key to play an action does not work. Why? Using cs6 iMac and wireless key board

Assigned F key to play an action does not work to play the action on an image. When the F key is selected it seams to control computer attributes rather than the play action assigned in photoshop. Why? Using cs6 iMac and wireless key board.
Is this a possible preference setting in mac or is it a setting in cs6 photoshop ? Help and knowledge will be appreciated.

*** Moderator Action ***
This networking question has been moved from the Solaris 10 discussion space,
to the Solaris Networking discussion space, for closer topic alignment.
Whereas there may be IPV6 nuances specific to your Solaris 10 environment and to the hardware, this appears to be a discussion that may be more global in effect.

I want to use my airport to connect wirelessly to my linksys network

I want to connect my daughters iMac to our wireless network using an airport base. I have a linksys wireless router and answer iMac connected in another room directly via Ethernet cable. How can I get the airport base to pick up network?

The answer depends on what you intend to do with the AirPort: if you are already using the Linksys for your wireless network, why do you want to use another?
An Apple AirPort Base Station can be configured to serve as an additional wireless access point as long as you connect it directly to your existing router, or it can replace the Linksys. The model number of the Linksys will also be helpful.

IMac to Snow Base Station

Hi, I have a G5 iMac and a Snow Base Station that runs a closed wireless network. I cannot get the iMac to connect wirelessly but I can use an ethernet cable to the base station and I'm online instantly. I have the correct password and network name but the iMac either times out trying to validate it or it simply is denied. Any thoughts?

Ok I set it to no password and i still can't connect. It doesn't time out but it doesn't allow the connection. I should add that my laptop (g4 powerbook running 10.4.11) can connect to it every time. In fact, I have to use the laptop to administer the base station because I can't even get the Airport Utility in Leopard (v 5.3.2) to find the base station. If I attempt to join the network via the Network system preference pane by using the Airport tab on the left side and entering the network name and no password, the Leopard machine is denied instantly as if it didn't even try to connect.
Update:
I found this forum thread and downloaded the Airport Admin Utility for Graphite and Snow and now I can see the base station in that application. I still cannot join the base station's network from the Network connection dialog but I can configure it via that app.
Message was edited by: Matt Binkowski1

Imac as airport base station?

i have been told it is possible to use the latest generations of imac as a wireless base station instead of having to go out and buy a extra wireless router, is this true and if so how can i do it?
thanks

1. In Sys Prefs/Sharing highlight Internet Sharing (do not check the box)
2. Share your connection from: Ethernet (from the dropdown menu)
3. To computers using: AirPort (check the little box)
4. Press the button AirPort Options...
5. Name your Network
6. I use Automatic for the channel
7. I encrypt my network using a 40-bit WEP key
8. For a non-Apple device you must use;
a. only a 5 alphanumeric character, 40-bit WEP password or
b. only a 13 alphanumeric character 128-bit WEP password
9. Press OK
10. Check the box for Internet Sharing
11. Answer any dialog boxes that pop up
Dah•veed

Using the Airport Card as wireless access point

My iMac is connected to the internet via ethernet. A wireless network has been set up using the Airport Card (not base station) to share the internet connection with a Wii. Is there a limit to the number of devices that can use this access point since there is no wireless router being used?
i.e. can an iPod Touch or other Mac with an Airport Card also use this wireless connection at the same time?
Message was edited by: kasa

Yes more than one device can use the 'Airport Software Basestation' that you are running.
I am not sure what the actual limit is though, having never reached it, I have used three devices at the same time with no issues with my old iMac G4.
Ian

Is there a way to use the iMac's display mode with a Mac mini with out logging in first on the Mac mini

Is there a way to use the iMac's display mode with a Mac mini with out logging in first on the Mac mini (late2014)
im currently useing my Mac mini as a portable computer, I take it to the university and use the iMacs there as a monitor but before I can do that I have to log in to my Mac mini first which means doing it blind
is there a way to put the IMacs into display mode with out logging into my Mac mini first
or is there a portable monitor that I can use that will not require me to login first

This
Target Display Mode: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) - Apple Support
says:
How do I enable TDM?
Make sure both computers are turned on and awake.
Connect a male-to-male Mini DisplayPort or ThunderBolt cable to each computer.
Press Command-F2 on the keyboard of the iMac being used as a display to enable TDM.
Note: In Keyboard System Preferences, if the checkbox is enabled for "Use all F1, F2, etc. keys as standard functions keys," the key combination changes to Command-Fn-F2.
How do I exit TDM?
To leave TDM, press Command-F2 on the keyboard of the iMac that is in TDM. You can also exit TDM if you shutdown or sleep either computer or detach the cable.
Can I use a third-party keyboard or older Apple keyboard to enable TDM?
Some older Apple keyboards and keyboards not made by Apple may not allow Command-F2 to toggle display modes. You should use an aluminum wired or wireless Apple keyboard to toggle TDM on and

Can I use my iMac as a 'display' for my MacBook Pro?

Hi all, I am really hoping someone can help me here.
I am wondering if I can use my 24" iMac as a display for my MacBook Pro (both running Snow Leopard).
It's my father's 80th birthday party in about 24 hours time. I am doing up the music and slideshow (thanks Apple - so easy!).
My plan was to simply take my iMac and use it. However, I managed to drop the wireless keyboard (darn those dogs) and now my keyboard won't work. I have no backup keyboards here (gave the wired one to Dad to use with his Mac mini). I live in a country area with no access to a Mac store and it will take more than 24 hours to get a new one. Went to my local 'other computer' general store last night: I really don't want to buy an ugly black keyboard..... I have just had a great idea:
Can I network my MacBook Pro and use it as the source for the slide show and simply use the iMac as a display? I have plenty of DVI adaptors but am just not sure how I would go about the software side of things? Or should I simply buy an ugly PC keyboard (and if I do, will the WIndows button work as an Apple button???)
Any suggestions would be really appreciated.
Thanks!

The imac 24 can't be used as a monitor over a DVI connection or the like, Suzanne, but you may be able to achieve what you want to using "Screen Sharing" by networking the two computers. This lets your MBP effectively control what is running on the iMac.
See HERE for the basic setup. For information about how to access the "shareable" screen from the MBP see HERE.
One possible problem may be actually getting this set-up on the iMac if it is not already enabled, however, unless you can borrow a keyboard from someone (your password may have to be entered to enable it). You may be able to get around this, if necessary, using the "keyboard viewer" (which you can place in the menubar using System preferences > Keyboard, if you don't already have it there).
Cheers
Rod

I have an airport extreme and express, if I use the extreme as a base station connected to my old router can I use the express to extend the signal while also creating a new network that only I can use?

I have an airport extreme and express, if I use the extreme as a base station connected to my old router can I use the express to extend the signal while also creating a new network that only I can use? Essentially having two wifi connection off the same network? If so how do I set this up?

Extending using a wireless connection always results in a performance compromise.
If the Express is going to extend using a wireless connection, then the Express will need to be located about half way between the AirPort Extreme and the general area where you need more wireless coverage. The more that you have line-of-sight between the Extreme and Express, the better the network will operate.
Remember......the Express can only "extend" the quality and signal speed that it receives, so it needs to be located where it can get a very good signal from the Extreme. Although Apple cleverly uses the term "extend", a more accurate term for the Express would be "repeater".
If the Express will extend by connecting to the Extreme using a permanent, wired Ethernet cable connection......highly recommended for best performance.....then the Express can be located exactly where you need more wireless coverage. There is no signal loss at all through the Ethernet cable, so the Express gets a full speed signal no matter where it might be located.
Post back to let us know which way to you want to go.

Using an iMac as a wireless station

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