Sharing cable modem on wireless Mac w/wired PC?

[OSev]

Hello,

I'm trying to help out a couple of friends.

They have a cable modem and two pc's are hooked up to the router or hub (Linksys - getting the model number to be sure). They are just sharing the internet connection and not any file sharing.

They are going to be buying a Mac PowerBook to use downstairs which they want to be able to share the cable modem. It does not need to be networked at all - just internet access. The PowerBook has AirportExtreme, which is 802.11g and 802.11b compatible as well as a built-in ethernet port.

Any suggestions of what will be the easiest way to have the Mac share the internet wirelessly? They don't need the pc's to go wireless since they are staionary (and I'd rather not mess with them, since they are working as needed).


Thanks for any help or ideas,
Olivia

[cszeto]

If the PCs are currently being shared, there is a good chance that a NAT router is already in use. A wireless access point can probably be added to the network via available switch port on the router without disturbing the current network.

[OSev]

Thanks for the response. That's what I'm hoping. I'm going to try a Linksys wireless router and hope that it will work without any problems for the Mac. My apprehension is that the router isn't listed as Mac compatible; it's states Windows. However, I've heard anecdotaaly that other routers (such as a particular D-Link) will work with a Mac even though it's not expressly listed as supporting the OS. I didn't think these types of hardware were platform specific - I guess some trial and error will be the test.


Thanks,
Olivia

[cszeto]

The current wireless standards are not OS platform specific in most cases. Most wireless products are also not platform specific.

A wireless router is not necessarily the same as a wireless access point. An access point joins an existing network while the wireless router typically creates another network behind it.

[OSev]

Hi cszeto,

Thanks for the clarification. I didn't know the difference and it's good that they aren't OS specific - why they list the Win OS on the box and not Mac or another other doesn't make sense. If you (or anyone else) have a moment, you're opinion on these devices would really be appreciated.

The PC's are connected to the cable modem via a Linksys BEFSR41 Router and 4-Point Switch:
http://www.linksys.com/products/product.asp?grid=34&scid=29&prid=561http://www.linksys.com/products/product.asp?grid=34&scid=29&prid=561

The wireless access point I plan to buy to connect the Mac wirelessly to the router is the Linksys WAP54G (the Airport card on the Mac is G-Standard compliant):
http://www.linksys.com/products/product.asp?grid=33&scid=35&prid=608http://www.linksys.com/products/product.asp?grid=33&scid=35&prid=608 (http://)

Does this seem like a logical fit? I plan on giving these a shot, and if it's no-go, then go back and try another Access Point box. The only thing I have to lose is my time and legwork involved. It's a good friend, so it's worthwhile to help them get this going.


Thanks again,
Olivia

[cszeto]

You should even be able to replace the BEFSR41 with the WAP54G. One thing to consider the is possible need of a crossover cable when you connect the WAP54G's WAN/Internet port to one of the switch ports on the BEFSR41 (if you choose to "stack" them one after the other).

The reasoning in most cases is the administration program or web interface used. Some, but very few, might require a Windows-based administration application. Others may have web content that was designed only with a PC in mind, even in most of those cases, it's mainly due to a lack of testing with the MAC via web.

At the network functionality level, it's the same. You can even stick a Linux or BeOS, etc. It's a matter of the networking devices following the same networking specifications (signaling, cabling, etc.).