MAC on a PC lan

[WaterPlanet]

Hi, has anyone been able to attach a G4 MAC into a PC Lan? Is it possible to do so without the use of 3rd party software (like PC MACLAN) on a Win2k/win98SE environment? Any input would be greatly appreciated. http://www.speedguide.net/ubb/smile.gif

Thanks!

[C.M. Weaver]

Are you only wanting to share a net connection and not files?

You have 2 choices for sharing the net connection:

Proxy software on Win2k/Win98SE machine
NAT capable router


I'm not sure there is any proxy software for the Mac that would allow you to host a server for your Windows machines. Apple's primary network protocol is AppleTalk, but also supports TCP/IP, using TCP/IP on your G4 will allow it to be compatible with your Windows Ethernet LAN.

You can pick up a NAT capable router (there are many available) like the Linksys 4-Port BFSR41 which will allow you to share your connection, this is what I use to network 3 PC's and an iMac. I have also used WinGate 4.0 (proxy software) on my Windows machines, allowing my iMac to share my broadband connection.

I've used PCMACLAN before on the Mac and found it very difficult to use and configure to any usable degree. I have also found the same to be true with Dave 2.5 which works on your Windows PC.

C.M. Weaver

[WaterPlanet]

Hi C.M.,
Thanks for replying to my plea of help. http://www.speedguide.net/ubb/smile.gif Well, what I would really like to do is to have all the works. Meaning, I would like to fit my G4 into my Win Lan (this lan is setup to share internet and files) and have it able to share internet and files, without the use of PC MACLAN/Dave 2.5. Yea, I have heard of the many complications of people using them. I don't even care what their website says, "The best program to use", cause it's probably more like the only program to use and totally sucks.

Now, for you suggestion of using a router, would a a normal hub be sufficient? Well, this was my first go at attempting this situation:
PC LAN all set up. I have a server w/2 NIC cards, and one client machine. A normal 5-port hub that connects the machines together. I am using Sygate sharing my Cable internet (sygate/wingate are called proxies, right?) between the machines.

Then, I would attach the MAC into the hub (using cross-over or straight through RJ-45? Actually, I did tried both, but no success at all) and went into the TCP/IP settings to set it to Ethernet and typed in the ip and subnet values, 192.168.0.3 and 255.255.255.0, respectively). Would I disable Appletalk then? On the PC server, there shouldn't be any other settings, right? What if I were to have my server, which runs Win2k/win98SE, to use the Appletalk protocol instead of the TCP/IP for just file transferring? Would that work or not? What would be the easiest way to set it up?

Are there any guides for this kind of networking? How did you figure it all out? I hope that I don't have to buy a router...too expensive...after all, I'm still a college student on a student budget, mind you. http://www.speedguide.net/ubb/smile.gif

Once again, thanks for you input. http://www.speedguide.net/ubb/smile.gif

[C.M. Weaver]

I would like to fit my G4 into my Win Lan (this lan is setup to share internet and files) and have it able to share internet and files, without the use of PC MACLAN/Dave 2.5
There is no way to share files between Windows and Apple without the use of 3rd party programs.

I am using Sygate sharing my Cable internet (sygate/wingate are called proxies, right?) between the machines.
Yes, those are called proxies.

Now, for you suggestion of using a router, would a a normal hub be sufficient? Well, this was my first go at attempting this situation: PC LAN all set up. I have a server w/2 NIC cards, and one client machine. A normal 5-port hub that connects the machines together
If you have only 2 machines on your network, Windows (gateway) and your G4 you don't even need a hub, switch or router. Since you have 2 NIC's in your Windows machine you can connect one of them to the NIC on your G4 using a crossover cable.

Then, I would attach the MAC into the hub (using cross-over or straight through RJ-45?
You can still use the hub if you like but it's not needed. The only difference in using the hub is you DO NOT use crossover from the G4 to the hub. The hub would handle the crossing over of the pairs.

and went into the TCP/IP settings to set it to Ethernet and typed in the ip and subnet values, 192.168.0.3 and 255.255.255.0, respectively). Would I disable Appletalk then? On the PC server, there shouldn't be any other settings, right?
You want to setup up your G4's TCP/IP up like this:

Ethernet
Manually
IP Address: 192.168.0.3
Subnet Mask: 255.255.255.0
Router Address: IP of your Windows machine running the proxy software
Name Server Address: Can't remember off the top of my head if you need to enter the IP of your Windows machine here


Would I disable Appletalk then?
Yes, disable AppleTalk on your G4

On the PC server, there shouldn't be any other settings, right?
The only settings you should have to setup on your Windows machine are the ones per WinGate or Sygate. Typically, additional settings are not required by these packages.

What if I were to have my server, which runs Win2k/win98SE, to use the Appletalk protocol instead of the TCP/IP for just file transferring?
Windows does not in and of itself support the AppleTalk protocol, this is only accomplished by using 3rd party software such as PCMACLAN. These companies have written protocol stacks that are compatible with Windows and support AppleTalk.

Are there any guides for this kind of networking? How did you figure it all out? I hope that I don't have to buy a router
Tim Higgins of Practically Networked (http://www.practicallynetworked.com/sharing/sharing.htm) has and excellent guide for newbies hoping to share a cable/DSL connection.

Hope this answers some of your questions. Let me know if I can help out anymore.

C.M. Weaver

[This message has been edited by C.M. Weaver (edited 11-02-2000).]

[This message has been edited by C.M. Weaver (edited 11-02-2000).]

[WaterPlanet]

Thanks again for your extensive reply! http://www.speedguide.net/ubb/smile.gif Really appreciate your help. I got on with your suggestions and I finally was able to share files between my PC and MAC. http://www.speedguide.net/ubb/smile.gif Complete bliss!! heh heh http://www.speedguide.net/ubb/wink.gif

Thanks again for you help! http://www.speedguide.net/ubb/smile.gif

-WaterPlanet-

[monty]

DAVE works great, but you could also install VirtualPC on your MAC, then it would really be integrated with your PC's.

[WaterPlanet]

VirtualPC? You're joking, right? lol

VitualPC is the best way to mess up your machine. lol Have you ever used it? http://www.speedguide.net/ubb/wink.gif