<strong>ohh... thanks Belle, I haven't used AOL in so long I'd forgotten that.
Does this mean Apple has blocked the routing functions? Or just that you can't use an account from more than one computer at a time.</strong><hr></blockquote>
I'm not sure whether Apple has blocked anything? I think it's just that AOL won't allow two simultaneous connections using the same account name.
[quote]So what does someone need if they are to use 1 connection (from any provider) simultaneously amongst two or more computers?<hr></blockquote>
The AirPort Base Station or a router. Just check with your ISP and make sure they allow multiple computers to connect from one location. Most ISPs include this information in their FAQs. If you use AOL, find a new ISP.
My question was: If you use the Airport Base Station to connect to AOL, does that mean it is:
1) Bridgeing, so that the actual AOL client software is on your computer
2) Routing, where the Base Station logs on and shares the connection with all its clients. You can't use AOL for anything more than the connection, but everybody on your end would have TCP/IP connections to the 'Net.
It sounds like the first model, but I'd really rather they offer the second one, even though it doesn't affect me.
<strong>My question was: If you use the Airport Base Station to connect to AOL, does that mean it is:
1) Bridgeing, so that the actual AOL client software is on your computer
2) Routing, where the Base Station logs on and shares the connection with all its clients. You can't use AOL for anything more than the connection, but everybody on your end would have TCP/IP connections to the 'Net.
It sounds like the first model, but I'd really rather they offer the second one, even though it doesn't affect me.</strong><hr></blockquote>
My thoughts exactly. I bet the AOL support allows AOL to connect directly using the AirPort's modem. Obviously it already connects via TCP/IP over airport. Then again, I wouldn't really know as I don't use AOL...
haunebu, I doubt the next AirPort will use an incarnation of 802.11a. Most of the current cards and partial wavelength antennas only get 50 feet or so in good conditions. Apple wants to move forward, not backward.
I agree. The killer for the deal as I see it is the lack of backwards compatability. Apple has invested so much in Airport right now that to move to a new architecture would be foolish and an attack on everyone who bought 802.11b.
I think 802.11g is planned to be more secure and faster, while retaining compatability with b.
<strong>So what does someone need if they are to use 1 connection (from any provider) simultaneously amongst two or more computers?</strong><hr></blockquote>
Assuming 10.1.1 and two Mac computers you will need:
<strong>I don't know if anyone noticed this but the Apple site has some disheartening info:
(1) Wireless Internet access requires AirPort Card, AirPort Base Station, and Internet access (fees may apply). Some ISPs are not currently compatible with AirPort. Range may vary with site conditions.
(2) Compatible with AOL 5.0, U.S. only. Simultaneous sharing of an AOL connection requires multiple AOL accounts.
I thought the whole point of having a hub/router (wireless or otherwise) in most home set-ups was to let your home PC's share one internet connection. Has Apple somehow scuttled this in their airport software. Also, how would an ISP be incompatible with airport???
I know nothing at all about this, but exactly what hardware does one need in order for all his home computers to share one simultaneous connection??? I ain't paying for two broadband connections.</strong><hr></blockquote>
Here's the deal. AOL (and possibly other ISPs) do not use the Mac OS's built in Internet Connection utilities. They roll their own and dial not using the system, but from their own software.
You can share your internet connection using Apple's hardware if you use one of the "normal" ISPs (i.e., they connect using standard protocols). However AOL et al. do not let you share because (i'm guessing) Apple had to implement a custom AirPort interface for those ISPs.
I agree. The killer for the deal as I see it is the lack of backwards compatability. Apple has invested so much in Airport right now that to move to a new architecture would be foolish and an attack on everyone who bought 802.11b.
Comments
<strong>ohh... thanks Belle, I haven't used AOL in so long I'd forgotten that.
Does this mean Apple has blocked the routing functions? Or just that you can't use an account from more than one computer at a time.</strong><hr></blockquote>
I'm not sure whether Apple has blocked anything? I think it's just that AOL won't allow two simultaneous connections using the same account name.
[quote]So what does someone need if they are to use 1 connection (from any provider) simultaneously amongst two or more computers?<hr></blockquote>
The AirPort Base Station or a router. Just check with your ISP and make sure they allow multiple computers to connect from one location. Most ISPs include this information in their FAQs. If you use AOL, find a new ISP.
1) Bridgeing, so that the actual AOL client software is on your computer
2) Routing, where the Base Station logs on and shares the connection with all its clients. You can't use AOL for anything more than the connection, but everybody on your end would have TCP/IP connections to the 'Net.
It sounds like the first model, but I'd really rather they offer the second one, even though it doesn't affect me.
<strong>My question was: If you use the Airport Base Station to connect to AOL, does that mean it is:
1) Bridgeing, so that the actual AOL client software is on your computer
2) Routing, where the Base Station logs on and shares the connection with all its clients. You can't use AOL for anything more than the connection, but everybody on your end would have TCP/IP connections to the 'Net.
It sounds like the first model, but I'd really rather they offer the second one, even though it doesn't affect me.</strong><hr></blockquote>
My thoughts exactly. I bet the AOL support allows AOL to connect directly using the AirPort's modem. Obviously it already connects via TCP/IP over airport. Then again, I wouldn't really know as I don't use AOL...
I agree. The killer for the deal as I see it is the lack of backwards compatability. Apple has invested so much in Airport right now that to move to a new architecture would be foolish and an attack on everyone who bought 802.11b.
I think 802.11g is planned to be more secure and faster, while retaining compatability with b.
<strong>So what does someone need if they are to use 1 connection (from any provider) simultaneously amongst two or more computers?</strong><hr></blockquote>
Assuming 10.1.1 and two Mac computers you will need:
1. Airport cards in each
2. Cable modem, DSL, or dialup modem
3. Configure NAT -- see <a href="http://homepage.mac.com/gdif"; target="_blank">http://homepage.mac.com/gdif</a>; and d/l a file Utilities/NATd
4. Setup the machine the Cable modem (for example) is connected to as an AirPort Software Base station -- you don't need to buy Apple's hardware AirPort base station. Instructions for doing this are at <a href="http://homepage.mac.com/masqfirewall.html"; target="_blank">http://homepage.mac.com/masqfirewall.html</a>;
<strong>I don't know if anyone noticed this but the Apple site has some disheartening info:
(1) Wireless Internet access requires AirPort Card, AirPort Base Station, and Internet access (fees may apply). Some ISPs are not currently compatible with AirPort. Range may vary with site conditions.
(2) Compatible with AOL 5.0, U.S. only. Simultaneous sharing of an AOL connection requires multiple AOL accounts.
I thought the whole point of having a hub/router (wireless or otherwise) in most home set-ups was to let your home PC's share one internet connection. Has Apple somehow scuttled this in their airport software. Also, how would an ISP be incompatible with airport???
I know nothing at all about this, but exactly what hardware does one need in order for all his home computers to share one simultaneous connection??? I ain't paying for two broadband connections.</strong><hr></blockquote>
Here's the deal. AOL (and possibly other ISPs) do not use the Mac OS's built in Internet Connection utilities. They roll their own and dial not using the system, but from their own software.
You can share your internet connection using Apple's hardware if you use one of the "normal" ISPs (i.e., they connect using standard protocols). However AOL et al. do not let you share because (i'm guessing) Apple had to implement a custom AirPort interface for those ISPs.
HTH
<strong>
I agree. The killer for the deal as I see it is the lack of backwards compatability. Apple has invested so much in Airport right now that to move to a new architecture would be foolish and an attack on everyone who bought 802.11b.
</strong>
<hr></blockquote>
802.11b doesn't fry your brain as much either...
apple_otaku
<strong>I think 802.11g is planned to be more secure and faster, while retaining compatability with b.</strong><hr></blockquote><a href="http://www.reuters.com/news_article.jhtml?type=technologynews&StoryID=382 231" target="_blank">They've just approved the 802.11g standard.</a>
Backwards compatible with b (same range), and 54 megabits/sec. vs. 11.
The article says devices will be available by the end of next year.