Mac OS® X Leopard™ Bible

Chapter 11. Setting Up a Local Network

IN THIS CHAPTER

• Understanding networking concepts

• Setting up an Ethernet network

• Establishing an AirPort wireless network

• Configuring network settings

• Configuring active network ports

• Creating network locations

• Setting up an AirPort Base Station

• Networking with Bluetooth

If you have more than one computer in your office or home, you can benefit by connecting them in a network. The idea may seem intimidating, but a simple network is easy to set up and doesn't cost much. Here are some things that you can do with a simple network:

• Share one Internet connection among several computers

• Share printers

• Share files from other computers as if they were on your computer

• Allow other computers to access the files on your computer

• Play games designed for multiple players

• Access a central database while other computers do likewise

• Maintain a group schedule or calendar

• Back up hard disks of all networked computers to a central location (tape, hard drive, offsite, and so on)

• Chat with others on your network or on the Internet

• Share your iPhoto library

• Share your iTunes library

This chapter focuses on setting up a network so that you can use some of these services. We start by discussing the fundamental concepts of a network and how to use these concepts to connect your computer to an Ethernet or AirPort (wireless) network. You also find out how to configure your network connections in the Network pane of System Preferences and how to easily switch from one configuration to another ...