Networking For Dummies, 11th Edition

Chapter 26

Mac Networking

IN THIS CHAPTER

Hooking up a Macintosh network

Using a Macintosh network

Mixing Macs and PCs

This book dwells on mostly networking Windows-based computers, as though Microsoft were the only game in town. I’m sure plenty of people in Redmond, WA (where Microsoft is headquartered) wished that it were so. But alas, there is an entirely different breed of computer: the Apple Macintosh, more commonly referred to simply as Mac.

Every Macintosh ever built, even an original 1984 model, includes networking support. Newer Macintosh computers have better built-in networking features than older Macintosh computers, of course. The newest Macs include built-in Gigabit Ethernet connections or 802.11ac wireless connections, or both. Support for these network connections is pretty much automatic, so all you have to do is plug your Mac into a network or connect to a wireless network, and you’re ready to go.

This chapter presents what you need to know to network Mac computers running OS X, Apple’s operating system for Mac computers. You’ll see how to control basic Mac network options, such as TCP/IP and file sharing. I also show you how to join a Mac to a Windows domain network.

Basic Mac Network Settings

Most network settings on OS X are automatic. If you wish, you can look at and change the default network settings by following these steps:

1. Choose System Preferences ⇒ Networking.

   The Network preferences page appears, as shown in Figure 26-1.

2. Click Advanced.

   The advanced ...