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View Full Version : Bridging an Internet connection from a PC to a MAC


GraingerGuy
08-21-2005, 09:57 PM
My roommate has an iMac...is there a quick and easy way to use my brother's computer as a bridge so that he can use the internet?

Mind you...I haven't even tried...because we are going to go to BB tomorrow and see if there is a wireless card type thing (airport) for him to use to get the wireless from my 2wire router.

I'm just asking this in advance in case we can't find anything. Thanks!
kimchicowboy
08-21-2005, 10:23 PM
as far as i know, airport works with any wireless router. my powerbook even worked with my microsoft wireless router.
GraingerGuy
08-21-2005, 11:03 PM
Is there something else that is cheaper than a airport? I'm seeing this netgear WGR614 router that is looking pretty good.
AlpineJay
08-21-2005, 11:15 PM
Go with the Netgear. It'll work fine with the Airport.
kimchicowboy
08-22-2005, 12:08 AM
oh, you're talking about the airport router. ah...

well, if the imac has wireless built in, it should work wtih any old router.
GraingerGuy
08-22-2005, 06:55 AM
I'm sorry....I guess I'm not making myself clear enough...:)

I have a 2wire router (from SBC) and I was wondering if that netgear wireless router would pick up the signal so that my roommate's computer would be able to use the internet. I didn't want to get the airport because it is expensive.
verve247
08-22-2005, 08:51 AM
That will work. Just put the wireless card into the imac and the router should detect it. Unfortunately the imac only takes airport cards.
GraingerGuy
08-22-2005, 09:25 AM
Ok....clear something up for me....

My 2wire router sends a wireless signal. Can I just plug a network cord from the iMac to the Netgear wireless router and the Netgear router will get a signal from my 2wire router therefore letting the iMac get onto my wireless connection? Or do I really have to get an airport? Because that would be just unfortunate....

Did that make sense? If it didn't, just call me retarded and ask me to explain again...:)
Jeffbx
08-22-2005, 10:06 AM
No, that makes sense but it won't work... what you're describing is a wireless bridge. Your wireless router won't do that, but you can purchase one for about $70:

http://www.buy.com/retail/product.asp?sku=10321908&SearchEngine=Froogle&SearchTerm=10321908&Type=PE&Category=Comp&Gad=0&dcaid=17379

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/searchtools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=504490&Sku=D700-2152&SRCCODE=GOOPROD&CMP=OTC-FROOGLE
kimchicowboy
08-22-2005, 10:08 AM
explain why the imac WOULDN'T be able to connect with the 2wire. that's what i want to know.

and talking about the airport being too expensive: if he had the money to shell out for an imac, he should have the money for an airport card. :P heheh
GraingerGuy
08-22-2005, 12:14 PM
No, that makes sense but it won't work... what you're describing is a wireless bridge. Your wireless router won't do that, but you can purchase one for about $70:

http://www.buy.com/retail/product.asp?sku=10321908&SearchEngine=Froogle&SearchTerm=10321908&Type=PE&Category=Comp&Gad=0&dcaid=17379

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/searchtools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=504490&Sku=D700-2152&SRCCODE=GOOPROD&CMP=OTC-FROOGLE
So what I said about the wireless router will work with the wireless bridge? (In other words, get him a bridge, connect it to his comp with a network cord and it would pick up my signal?) Or would I have to get myself a bridge and then have him get a wireless router? (I'm sorry I'm asking all these retarded questions....I'm a network newb...:))

Kimchicowboy: I won't work with my wireless network router because he doesn't have a wireless network card in his iMac. And....I don't have another port in my router. Maybe if I just got myself another router with more ports on it, it would work....but I really don't want to because I'm really happy with my router. And about the money thing...:) At the SDA college that he goes to, he can take a year off and do a missionary thing. He's choosing to stay in the US and be a task force worker at the school I'm working at. So...he gets a small stipand....but it's an emphasis on the small....:)
Grimm
08-22-2005, 12:32 PM
How about just making him use a wired connection? Hook a hub to one of the wired ports on the router.
GraingerGuy
08-22-2005, 12:50 PM
That's my problem though....I need to find a hub or a switch that is compatible with my homeportal 1000sw. I tried a little netgear 5 port switch and it didn't work.
Jeffbx
08-22-2005, 01:04 PM
So what I said about the wireless router will work with the wireless bridge? (In other words, get him a bridge, connect it to his comp with a network cord and it would pick up my signal?)

That's correct. It would go:

Internet line ==> wireless router ==> wireless bridge (thru wireless) ==> iMac (through CAT5).

But Grimm has a valid point - you should also be able to connect a switch to one of the ports on your router & split it out. If your switch is older & doesn't have an auto-sensing crossover jack, you'll have to use a crossover cable to get it to work.
jstreet
08-22-2005, 01:19 PM
Why not just share your Windows connection with your iMac?

Unless I'm not understanding... run a crossover Cat-5 cable from the ethernet on the Windows PC to the ethernet on the iMac; enable Windows Internet Connection Sharing and you're good to go.

Right? Or am I missing something?
GraingerGuy
08-22-2005, 02:11 PM
Ok....forgive me for wasting EVERYONE's time. I finally got the switch to work. I don't know what was wrong with it before....maybe I didn't restart, maybe I didn't wait long enough....I have no clue. Hopefully, everything is going to be working smoothly if I get myself a network cord to connect from switch to iMac. If it doesn't...I'll just ask more questions. Thanks for all the answers and the new knowledge. :)