Ticket Options
Question Details
TICKET ARCHIVE -> Ip Address Confusion
userX - Jun 19, 2005 - 3:42 pm
My objective is to share my Mac OSX computer's internet connection with a Win XP pc via an AirPort network.
I'm having a variety of issues:
First of all, System Preferences > Network shows one IP address for my AirPort card. Network Utility shows a different address. The Network Utility is right, as this is the address I can ping successfully.
How is this possible?
I have an internal AirPort card I'm using now, but I have also used a wireless card in my PC slot. In any case, the hardware addresses for the differing IP addresses do match.
This seems very weird to me. Could I be overriding System Preferences > Network somehow, somewhere?
Next issue: The computers see each other, but do not communicate.
More on that later....
I'm having a variety of issues:
First of all, System Preferences > Network shows one IP address for my AirPort card. Network Utility shows a different address. The Network Utility is right, as this is the address I can ping successfully.
How is this possible?
I have an internal AirPort card I'm using now, but I have also used a wireless card in my PC slot. In any case, the hardware addresses for the differing IP addresses do match.
This seems very weird to me. Could I be overriding System Preferences > Network somehow, somewhere?
Next issue: The computers see each other, but do not communicate.
More on that later....
baldprof - Jun 19, 2005 - 6:33 pm
If I understand your setup, you have two computers, one of which is probably a Powerbook, and the other is laptop running WinXP, and both of these computers are connecting wirelessly to an Airport basestation.
What any router, Airport or otherwise, is set up default to do, is to communicate with the internet using an IP address assigned by your broadband provider. That's one of the IP addresses you are picking up. The router then sets up it's own internal LAN for any of the computers in your network. The router reserves one IP address for itself. For Airport it's usually 10.0.1.1 or something similar, and then it assigns IP addresses dynamically (DHCP) to all computers on the network. I don't know exactly which Ip addresses you are seeing, but this, in a nutshell, is where they come from.
Here's what you need to check. First is your Airport set up to distribute IP addresses using DHCP? That's what it normally does by default. You should use the Aiport Administration utility to check, just to make sure. Assuming that it is set up for DHCP, next:
On your Powerbook, Open System Preferences, then click Network. It should show that it is using the Airport card. Now click Configure. Click TCP/IP. Where you see Configure IPv4 it shouls show using DHCP. If it doesn't make it so. Then click Apply Now. On this pane, you should see the Ip address assinged to your Powerbook, the Subnet Mask, and the IP address of the router (Airport, in this case). These addresses are all part of that internal LAN the router sets up. Now, click the lock to secure the changes.
Next, open System Preferences again. Click Sharing. Click Services. Now you will need to check mark all the sharing privileges you want. Since you have a Windows computer too, you will need to check Windows File Sharing. I would also check Personal File sharing, and Printer Sharing if you plan to do that.
(Note I have been assuming OS X 10.4.x. If you don't have that, the exact appearances will vary.)
Are you the only one planning to use these computers? If so, you don't need to do anything else with your Powerbook. Otherwise, you would need to set up an account for the other users.
Now, I am not in front of my WinXP computer, so forgive me if I can't give as exact a descritption. You will need to check the settings for the WinXP laptop. Make sure it is also set up for DHCP. Next you will need to setup an account with the right access privileges. Again, if it's just you then your normal login will work. Next, decide which resources on your WinXp pc you want to share. For example, if you wanted to share your My Documents folder, right click that folder then select "Sharing" to designate the access privileges.
Now go to the Network Neighborhood and browse for a new network place if your Mac doesn't show up. You will want to search the entire network, probably, and it may prompt you for an IP address. Just give it the one Airport assigned to your Powerbook.
That's essentially it.
Here's a link to an Apple Support page you might find useful.
What any router, Airport or otherwise, is set up default to do, is to communicate with the internet using an IP address assigned by your broadband provider. That's one of the IP addresses you are picking up. The router then sets up it's own internal LAN for any of the computers in your network. The router reserves one IP address for itself. For Airport it's usually 10.0.1.1 or something similar, and then it assigns IP addresses dynamically (DHCP) to all computers on the network. I don't know exactly which Ip addresses you are seeing, but this, in a nutshell, is where they come from.
Here's what you need to check. First is your Airport set up to distribute IP addresses using DHCP? That's what it normally does by default. You should use the Aiport Administration utility to check, just to make sure. Assuming that it is set up for DHCP, next:
On your Powerbook, Open System Preferences, then click Network. It should show that it is using the Airport card. Now click Configure. Click TCP/IP. Where you see Configure IPv4 it shouls show using DHCP. If it doesn't make it so. Then click Apply Now. On this pane, you should see the Ip address assinged to your Powerbook, the Subnet Mask, and the IP address of the router (Airport, in this case). These addresses are all part of that internal LAN the router sets up. Now, click the lock to secure the changes.
Next, open System Preferences again. Click Sharing. Click Services. Now you will need to check mark all the sharing privileges you want. Since you have a Windows computer too, you will need to check Windows File Sharing. I would also check Personal File sharing, and Printer Sharing if you plan to do that.
(Note I have been assuming OS X 10.4.x. If you don't have that, the exact appearances will vary.)
Are you the only one planning to use these computers? If so, you don't need to do anything else with your Powerbook. Otherwise, you would need to set up an account for the other users.
Now, I am not in front of my WinXP computer, so forgive me if I can't give as exact a descritption. You will need to check the settings for the WinXP laptop. Make sure it is also set up for DHCP. Next you will need to setup an account with the right access privileges. Again, if it's just you then your normal login will work. Next, decide which resources on your WinXp pc you want to share. For example, if you wanted to share your My Documents folder, right click that folder then select "Sharing" to designate the access privileges.
Now go to the Network Neighborhood and browse for a new network place if your Mac doesn't show up. You will want to search the entire network, probably, and it may prompt you for an IP address. Just give it the one Airport assigned to your Powerbook.
That's essentially it.
Here's a link to an Apple Support page you might find useful.
userX - Jun 19, 2005 - 10:24 pm
Tks for your reply, Michael.
Clarification: Yes, Powerbook & laptop running WinXP; no, these are not both connecting to an Airport basestation. Rather, I was hoping to share Powerbook's internet connection peer-to-peer.
Further clarification: System Preferences > Network > Airport Configure: Manually w/ IP address 192.168.0.1. Again, this is *not* the IP address of the Airport card -- presumably because System Preferences > Sharing > Internet "Start" Sharing your Built-in Ethernet connection w/ only "Share your Internet connection with AirPort-equipped computers" checked is overriding the System Preferences > Network settings???...
You say, "What any router, Airport or otherwise, is set up default to do, is to communicate with the internet using an IP address assigned by your broadband provider. That's one of the IP addresses you are picking up. The router then sets up it's own internal LAN for any of the computers in your network. The router reserves one IP address for itself. For Airport it's usually 10.0.1.1 or something similar, and then it assigns IP addresses dynamically (DHCP) to all computers on the network. I don't know exactly which Ip addresses you are seeing, but this, in a nutshell, is where they come from."
Re the "router" you refer to that is "communicating with the internet using an IP address assigned by your broadband provider:" I have a cable modem. My Powerbook is connected via ethernet to my cable modem. My cable modem has an IP address (unknown to me), right? And my Powerbook has an IP address (known to me). This is not a problem.
You say, "The router then sets up it's [sic] own internal LAN for any of the computers in your network." I'm not sure about the correct terminology here, but per above, I would like my Powerbook to create a wireless network to which my WinXP laptop can connect; and I would like my Powerbook to share its internet connection with the WinXP laptop over this network.
WinXP laptop is setup to obtain IP address dynamically. Per above, Powerbook's System Preferences > Network sets wireless network IP address "Manually," but somehow the Airport's IP address is different than what appears in System Preferences > Network.
Re the Airport Admin utility: I see that this is for use w/ base stations, which is not my case.
Am I not going to be able to do what I want to do? No! Say it ain't so!...
Btw, I'm running OS X v. 10.2.8.
[PAUSE]
OK, here's something kind of interesting and helpful: http://wincent.org/article/articleview/30/1/23
In particular, it confirms that System Preferences > Sharing > Internet "Start" Sharing your Built-in Ethernet connection is overriding the System Preferences > Network settings.
This does not address my situation exactly, however.
What I am experiencing now is quite strange - and slightly different than what I was first experiencing.
On WinXP laptop, TCP/IP Properties are "Obtain an IP address automatically" & "Obtain DNS server address automatically."
When I enable the wireless connection, under Wireless Network Connection Status > Support tab, I'm seeing "Limited or no connectivity:" "You might not be able to access the Internet or some network resources. This problem occurred because the network did not assign a network address to the computer." This notwithstanding the fact that my Powerbook is Internet Sharing is on, and allowed to create networks. Network Utility shows an IP address of 10.0.2.1.
Interestingly, ipconfig on the WinXP laptop shows an IP of 169.254.x.y w/ a Subnet Mask: 255.255.0.0
I don't know where this IP address is coming from, but it does not seem to bear any relation to anything on the Powerbook - including its Built-In Ethernet IP.
Any suggestions???... (Upgrade to Tiger?!?!...)
Clarification: Yes, Powerbook & laptop running WinXP; no, these are not both connecting to an Airport basestation. Rather, I was hoping to share Powerbook's internet connection peer-to-peer.
Further clarification: System Preferences > Network > Airport Configure: Manually w/ IP address 192.168.0.1. Again, this is *not* the IP address of the Airport card -- presumably because System Preferences > Sharing > Internet "Start" Sharing your Built-in Ethernet connection w/ only "Share your Internet connection with AirPort-equipped computers" checked is overriding the System Preferences > Network settings???...
You say, "What any router, Airport or otherwise, is set up default to do, is to communicate with the internet using an IP address assigned by your broadband provider. That's one of the IP addresses you are picking up. The router then sets up it's own internal LAN for any of the computers in your network. The router reserves one IP address for itself. For Airport it's usually 10.0.1.1 or something similar, and then it assigns IP addresses dynamically (DHCP) to all computers on the network. I don't know exactly which Ip addresses you are seeing, but this, in a nutshell, is where they come from."
Re the "router" you refer to that is "communicating with the internet using an IP address assigned by your broadband provider:" I have a cable modem. My Powerbook is connected via ethernet to my cable modem. My cable modem has an IP address (unknown to me), right? And my Powerbook has an IP address (known to me). This is not a problem.
You say, "The router then sets up it's [sic] own internal LAN for any of the computers in your network." I'm not sure about the correct terminology here, but per above, I would like my Powerbook to create a wireless network to which my WinXP laptop can connect; and I would like my Powerbook to share its internet connection with the WinXP laptop over this network.
WinXP laptop is setup to obtain IP address dynamically. Per above, Powerbook's System Preferences > Network sets wireless network IP address "Manually," but somehow the Airport's IP address is different than what appears in System Preferences > Network.
Re the Airport Admin utility: I see that this is for use w/ base stations, which is not my case.
Am I not going to be able to do what I want to do? No! Say it ain't so!...
Btw, I'm running OS X v. 10.2.8.
[PAUSE]
OK, here's something kind of interesting and helpful: http://wincent.org/article/articleview/30/1/23
In particular, it confirms that System Preferences > Sharing > Internet "Start" Sharing your Built-in Ethernet connection is overriding the System Preferences > Network settings.
This does not address my situation exactly, however.
What I am experiencing now is quite strange - and slightly different than what I was first experiencing.
On WinXP laptop, TCP/IP Properties are "Obtain an IP address automatically" & "Obtain DNS server address automatically."
When I enable the wireless connection, under Wireless Network Connection Status > Support tab, I'm seeing "Limited or no connectivity:" "You might not be able to access the Internet or some network resources. This problem occurred because the network did not assign a network address to the computer." This notwithstanding the fact that my Powerbook is Internet Sharing is on, and allowed to create networks. Network Utility shows an IP address of 10.0.2.1.
Interestingly, ipconfig on the WinXP laptop shows an IP of 169.254.x.y w/ a Subnet Mask: 255.255.0.0
I don't know where this IP address is coming from, but it does not seem to bear any relation to anything on the Powerbook - including its Built-In Ethernet IP.
Any suggestions???... (Upgrade to Tiger?!?!...)
baldprof - Jun 20, 2005 - 6:41 am
Now I think I understand your setup. That wasn't clear to me before. You want to communicate computer to computer without a basestation. I have heard of this being done mac to mac, and pc to pc, so there isn't any reason why it couldn't work Mac to PC.
The terminology here varies avross the manufacturers of the wifi equipment. What you need to do is set your adapters properly, but exactly what this mode is called will be different. Normally, wireless equipment is set up to operate in "enterprise" of "infrastructure" mode, which is designed to communicate with a base station. You will need to change that. The exact erm for Airport escapes me; I would have to look it up in the manual, and I don't have mine handy, but it should be in the Airport help system. Or you can try searching here:
http://www.apple.com/support/airport/
Some manufacturers call this "ad hoc" mode, others may call it client mode, etc. BUt now I think yoou have a general idea of what to do. Part of your problem may be that your adapters think there is a base station when there in fact isn't.
I would definitely recommend upgrading your Mac OS. I have struggled with networking from the very first version. OS 10.0 and 10.1 were almost impossible. To network with PCs required the use of third party software. 10.2 was easier, but still non-trivial. You had to learn about smb addressing. This changed completely with 10.3. Now the networking became almost easy, "almost". With 10.4, a piece of cake, literally.
I built a new WinXP computer last winter. It was comparatively easy to get it to work with my Airport network and to share resources. With 10.4, wow! NO trouble.
It's been so long since I worked with 10.2.x, I can't be of much help with that if you want to share resources.
But now I think you know more aboout what you need to do.
The terminology here varies avross the manufacturers of the wifi equipment. What you need to do is set your adapters properly, but exactly what this mode is called will be different. Normally, wireless equipment is set up to operate in "enterprise" of "infrastructure" mode, which is designed to communicate with a base station. You will need to change that. The exact erm for Airport escapes me; I would have to look it up in the manual, and I don't have mine handy, but it should be in the Airport help system. Or you can try searching here:
http://www.apple.com/support/airport/
Some manufacturers call this "ad hoc" mode, others may call it client mode, etc. BUt now I think yoou have a general idea of what to do. Part of your problem may be that your adapters think there is a base station when there in fact isn't.
I would definitely recommend upgrading your Mac OS. I have struggled with networking from the very first version. OS 10.0 and 10.1 were almost impossible. To network with PCs required the use of third party software. 10.2 was easier, but still non-trivial. You had to learn about smb addressing. This changed completely with 10.3. Now the networking became almost easy, "almost". With 10.4, a piece of cake, literally.
I built a new WinXP computer last winter. It was comparatively easy to get it to work with my Airport network and to share resources. With 10.4, wow! NO trouble.
It's been so long since I worked with 10.2.x, I can't be of much help with that if you want to share resources.
But now I think you know more aboout what you need to do.
IF THIS IS YOUR QUESTION AND YOU WISH TO RESPOND, LOGIN HERE FIRST.
