In another thread it was suggested to use a hardware firewall to protect computers from intrusion. That got me thinking about wireless Internet access. I posted a question re: the hardware, but I have a more general question.
Right now I’m on my G4 PowerBook. I haven’t been using my AirPort Extreme, since the last time I used it (with dial-up) it was balky. I’m using it now, and it’s working fine. I also have a PC (still running Win98, because I’m a cheap bastard) and an iMac G3. Assuming I get cable Internet access, can I use the PC and the G3 with the AirPort?
I looked on the Apple site, and it says ‘The AirPort Extreme Card can be installed only in computers that are AirPort Extreme ready.’ The G3 is too old to be AirPort-ready. Obviously the PC is not.
I’d like to connect wirelessly on my PowerBook (which I know I can do) and the iMac and the PC. I’d like to do it with my AirPort Extreme Base Station, since I already have one. Can this be done? If so, then how? If not, what would I need to do to have access with all of my computers?
Hm. Interesting. When I disconnect AirPort, it automatically dials in again. Shouldn’t be a problem when I get cable access, but with dial-up I have to unplug the cord if I want to keep the phone free. I didn’t find a switch to keep it from automatically dialing.
Any wi-fi card ought to connect a computer to an AirPort base station. “Certain G3-based iMacs are not AirPort-ready and also not compatible with the Adapter or AirPort Card. These include any tray-loading iMac G3 and the 350Mhz G3 Indigo slot-load iMac introduced in Summer 2000.” If you don’t have an Airport-compatible iMac, you might be able to use a USB wireless adapter.
Are all USB wireless adaptors pretty much alike, or are there brands I should consider and ones I should avoid? Are they ‘generic’ in the sense that the same one will work on a PC or a Mac?
You will want to be certain to get a card that says it is compatible with mac os x/apple computers on the box. Other models may very well work, but you give up on having any support or any kind of gurantee that it’ll work. Your best bet is to shop at a place that has a mac section or is a mac-oriented site, like macmall.com. Good luck and happy networking.
I found this out: AirPort uses 802.11G wireless networking. This is backwards-compatible with 802.11b. I assume I can put an 803.11G or 802.11b card in my PC? Is there a room in the iMac for such a card, or can I hook it up via the USB port? (Nametag’s post indicates I’d have to use the USB?)
If I can get these cards as an internal or external device, then I should be able to connect my AirPort to a hardware firewall that is connected to the cable and I should be able to use all three computers wirelessly, right?
Okay. I have OS X Panther 10.3.9 installed on the iMac. I went to the Apple dealer in town today and found out that the AirPort card and card adapter are no longer available from Apple; but there are several on offer at eBay. I’ve opened up the hatch in the iMac and have found the antenna cord and the slot. So it looks like all I have to do is buy the parts and plug them in. Oh, and getting DSL or cable access.
When I got the iMac it had OS 9.0.4 on it. There was an AirPort icon on the toolbar. Panther does not have the icon. So I’ll need to find the software to run it… Unless someone knows where it is and can post a link?
To confirm what others have said, there are lots of products that will work with your iMac. Sellers charge ridiculous prices for original airport cards (and the adapter yours needs) because many people are convinced that only an original apple airport card will work. This is not the case. You should try to verify from successful user reports that the hardware you are looking at will work with your setup.
Airport setup should be in System Preferences > Network.