Networking, Mac and PC

[103rapesAday]

I was in chat and a member of this forum brought this up and was having a problem getting it configured. Keep in mind I don't own a Mac but have read a few articles on using them on a network to share files (namely media) on a home network. I was actually considering buying the Mini Mac as a media file server but shot it down due to pricing but for those of you who do have these on your network here are some steps you might want to do:

1) Windows PC you might want to go to Apple's website and download their web browser (Safari (http://www.apple.com/safari/download/)) and install it, one of the options you can install with it is the add-on "Bonjour" which is pretty a zero configuration protocol.

2) You can also download it separately as well, Networking Bonjour (http://developer.apple.com/networking/bonjour/) from Apple's Developer Connection section. It also includes some of the documents concerning this as well.

3) If you need more information specific to configuring it, hopefully another member will chime in about it or you can also check out the Wikpedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bonjour_(software)) section about it.

4) It appears you can also use this in an all PC network, I'm thinking about trying it out later, it may useful for some of my other hobbies.

[scumdog69]

I am trying to share a network between a pc w/ vista and one w/ XP and it simply is NOT happening. 4 hours of my life I will never get back.

[103rapesAday]

I am trying to share a network between a pc w/ vista and one w/ XP and it simply is NOT happening. 4 hours of my life I will never get back.

Need some more information, can you look at your router and tell me what brand and model it is?

You might want to see this video as well, it's principles are pretty much the main thing you'll need to do but you'll need to change the domain name on your router to MSHOME

http://cnettv.cnet.com/how-convert-pc-network-server/9742-1_53-19061.html (http://www.chimpout.com/forum/redirector.php?url=http%3A%2F%2Fcnettv.cnet.com%2F how-convert-pc-network-server%2F9742-1_53-19061.html)

and if you have an old PC and want to make it a server:

http://cnettv.cnet.com/build-raid-server/9742-1_53-50004337.html (http://www.chimpout.com/forum/redirector.php?url=http%3A%2F%2Fcnettv.cnet.com%2F build-raid-server%2F9742-1_53-50004337.html)

If you want to run your old computer as a NAS then this is a pretty handy link as well, I ran this about two years ago:

http://www.serverelements.com/

[357Magnum]

It depends on what version of Vista and XP you are running. If you are running Vista Ultimate, you will NOT be able to network them 100% successfully with XP Home or even Vista Home without a few extra steps. If you're running Vista Home and XP Pro, you should have zero problems networking them together.

As far as networking MACs and PCs, it's a pain in the ass but I've done it several times, mostly out of necessity and never out of desire. If you've used Linux, it won't be a problem but if not well it'll take a little getting used to. It's hard for me to explain. It's one of those things you have to DO and not explain.

Here is just a few links to help pave the way:

http://forums.techarena.in/windows-vista-network/729541.htm

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT2959

http://guides.macrumors.com/Networking_Windows_with_Mac_OS_X