iMac Airport Question

[monke]

I currently own an iMac G5 (Rev. B) and am thinking of purchasing a laptop in the future (either a Powerbook or an iBook). I was wondering if I could create a wireless network with my iMac alone. I currently have a landline internet connection (DSL) plugged into the iMac. Can I set it up so that the iBook can get a internet connection from anywhere in my house, without plugging it into the wall, using only the iMac?

 

[acceber]

As far as I know, you can't. You'll need a wireless router like the Airport, plug the DSL cable into that, and then you can set up a wireless network for both your iMac and the laptop.

Or you can set it up like my current home network (although we have cable, not DSL). Connect the iMac to your modem, connect your modem to the airport and and the laptop gains wireless internet through the Airport, whilst the iMac stays on cable.

But yeah, you'll need a wireless router no matter what for the specific purpose you described.

 

[mcmav37]

As far as I know, you can't. You'll need a wireless router like the Airport, plug the DSL cable into that, and then you can set up a wireless network for both your iMac and the laptop.

Or you can set it up like my current home network (although we have cable, not DSL). Connect the iMac to your modem, connect your modem to the airport and and the laptop gains wireless internet through the Airport, whilst the iMac stays on cable.

But yeah, you'll need a wireless router no matter what for the specific purpose you described.

No, no, no. You can do exactly what was initially proposed. Just put an Airport card in the iMac and you can set that up as the "base station" and share whatever internet access it has.

 

[strider42]

No, no, no. You can do exactly what was initially proposed. Just put an Airport card in the iMac and you can set that up as the "base station" and share whatever internet access it has.

of course, getting an airport card is more expensive then just getting a simple router. I got mine for 20 bucks after rebates. plus then you don't need the iMac on in order to access the internet.

 

[monke]

Do I need to get another airport card? or will the one in the iMac do?

 

[mad jew]

Using the inbuilt AirPort card in the iMac you can create an ad-hoc network with the iBook (using its inbuilt AirPort card too) however this isn't a great option because it is reasonably unreliable, has a poor range, and must be reconfigured each time a machine falls asleep.

All the same, here's how it's done. Just remember to turn on internet sharing in the iMac's AirPort network settings.