MP 1,1-5,1 Question about 2nd ethernet port on 2009 Mac Pro

[Loa]

Hello,

I currently have one ethernet cable plugged into my mac pro for internet use.

Can I use the second port like this: plug another ethernet cable into an ethernet-to-USB and plug that into my 2015 MacBook Pro?

I'm asking because I have very poor wi-fi reception in my office, and I'd like to have quick internet there for my laptop without having to route a 2nd ethernet cable.

Thanks!

 

[mikas]

Yes:

Share the internet connection on Mac with other network users

You can use Internet Sharing settings to share the internet connection on your Mac with other devices on your local network.

support.apple.com

 

[Loa]

Thanks!

This warning worries me though:
WARNING: If your Internet connection and your local network use the same port (Ethernet, for example), investigate possible side effects before you turn on Internet sharing. In some cases, sharing your Internet connection disrupts the network. If you use a cable modem, for example, you might unintentionally affect the network settings of other ISP customers, and your ISP might terminate your service.

 

[mikas]

Set the share from ethernet port one to clients using ethernet port two. Or the other way around, which ever the ports you are using now are named.

It might become more complex with hubs, switches and a mix of cables and wifis, but in your scenario internet sharing should work just fine.

 

[mikas]

On the other hand, if your situation with this is of permanent type, maybe you'd be better of buying a network switch and use it for internet access for both of your machines, Mac Pro and MacBook Pro.

 

[DPUser]

Ethernet switch is so inexpensive, no complications.

 

[FarmerBob]

I mostly use both ports as an aggrigate LAN connection. When not doing that I use Port 2 as an easy access LAN connection for any device that needs to be connected to the LAN. Have used it the same way with older machines that had WiFi as a hard wire LAN connection. Or the other way around, using the Ethernet as the source and the WiFi in the box as an AP.