Mac OS X: The Missing Manual, Tiger Edition

Internet Sharing

If you have cable modem or DSL service, you're a very lucky individual. Not only do you benefit from great speed when surfing the Web or processing email, but your connection is on full-time. You never have to wait for some modem to dial (screeching all the way), and wait again for it to disconnect. Too bad only one computer in your household or office can enjoy these luxuries.

Actually, it doesn't have to be that way. You can spread the joy of high-speed Internet to every Mac (and PC) on your network in either of two ways:

• Buy a router. A router (sometimes called a residential gateway) is a little box, costing about $50, that connects directly to the cable modem or DSL box. In most cases, it doubles as a hub, providing multiple Internet jacks into which you can plug your Macs and PCs. As a bonus, a router provides excellent security, serving as a firewall to keep out unsolicited visits from hackers on the Internet. (If you use a router, turn off Mac OS X's own firewall, as described on Section 12.11.)

  FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTION: Internet Sharing Using a Modem

  My eMac isn't anywhere close to a phone jack. Can I use Internet Sharing to get online via the dial-up modem of my upstairs Power Mac?

  As long as your eMac is connected to the gateway machine via a network (Ethernet or AirPort), the answer is yes.

  Think about it: Dial-up modems and Bluetooth cellphones may be listed in the Network panel of System Preferences, but they're only connections to the Internet, not connections ...