NickToye

Q: Connecting Mac to Mac

I have an iMac and a MBP.  Sometimes I can connect to my MBP, and sometimes I can't.  It just seems to be so random.

 

What is the perfect setup to allow this to happen? Or is it just one of those things that it can't always connect.

 

What information can I provide to help troubleshoot this?

 

I have a Sky Broadband modem, and I also have an Airport Extreme connected, so I have 2 networks I can connect to.  When I try and transfer files from the iMac to the MBP I have them both on the same network.

 

I have noticed though that my MBP name changes from afp://macbook-pro to a bunch of numbers.  Could that be the issue?

 

I always seem to get the following error:

 

There was a problem connecting to the server "macbook-pro"

 

There are no shares available or you are not allowed to access them on the server. Please contact your system administrator to resolve the problem.

 

Now I have file sharing on my MBP turned on, so I am at a loss as to why this keeps happening.

iMac with Retina 5K display, OS X Yosemite (10.10.1)

Posted on May 18, 2015 12:44 PM

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Q: Connecting Mac to Mac

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  • by Tesserax,

    Tesserax Tesserax May 18, 2015 1:22 PM in response to NickToye
    Level 9 (54,427 points)
    Wireless
    May 18, 2015 1:22 PM in response to NickToye

    I have an iMac and a MBP.

    Are they both running OS X Yosemite 10.10.1? Or a newer or older version of OS X?

    I have a Sky Broadband modem, and I also have an Airport Extreme connected, so I have 2 networks I can connect to.

    Is you goal to have two wireless networks or would like assistance in just making them provide a single network? To be able to share resources between network devices they must be on the same network.

     

    Finally what is your ultimate networking goal for your Macs?

  • by NickToye,

    NickToye NickToye May 18, 2015 1:43 PM in response to Tesserax
    Level 1 (4 points)
    iLife
    May 18, 2015 1:43 PM in response to Tesserax

    Ah I have 10.10.3 on my MBP and 10.10.2 on my iMac.  I'll run the update for that now.

     

    My goal is to have a single network, but I'm really not sure how I do it.

     

    Eventually I am going to get another Airport Extreme and have it upstairs in my office which will connect to my other AE downstairs near the main router.

  • by Tesserax,

    Tesserax Tesserax May 18, 2015 2:06 PM in response to NickToye
    Level 9 (54,427 points)
    Wireless
    May 18, 2015 2:06 PM in response to NickToye

    At this point I am assuming that your Sky Broadband modem is actually a combination wireless router and modem (or wireless gateway) device. Regardless, what is its actual brand and model number? There are a number of options to creating a "single" wireless network and the modem info would help. Finally, which exact model of the AirPort Extreme do you have?

     

    The following Apple Support article should provide you with some ideas on how to go forward, but we will be happy to help if you need further assistance.

  • by NickToye,

    NickToye NickToye May 18, 2015 3:40 PM in response to Tesserax
    Level 1 (4 points)
    iLife
    May 18, 2015 3:40 PM in response to Tesserax

    The one I have currently is a Sagemcom Model No. F@ST2504n

     

    Although I am actually changing it to a new one on Friday as I have Fibre broadband being installed.

     

    I also have the Airport Extreme model No. A1301

  • by Tesserax,

    Tesserax Tesserax May 19, 2015 8:12 AM in response to NickToye
    Level 9 (54,427 points)
    Wireless
    May 19, 2015 8:12 AM in response to NickToye

    How you configure your 3rd generation 802.11n AirPort Extreme base station will depend on whether the Fibre broadband-supplied device is either a simple modem or a combination modem/router (or gateway). Either way the base station would need to be connected to this new device via an Ethernet cable.

     

    Also if the Fibre-provided device provided wireless then you can also decide if you still need to use the Extreme at all.

  • by NickToye,

    NickToye NickToye May 19, 2015 10:25 AM in response to Tesserax
    Level 1 (4 points)
    iLife
    May 19, 2015 10:25 AM in response to Tesserax

    Ok well the new modem is here.

     

    Its Sky model number SR102

     

    I know I need to connect it via Ethernet. 

     

    Am I best extending the network rather than creating a second one?

  • by NickToye,

    NickToye NickToye May 19, 2015 11:43 AM in response to Tesserax
    Level 1 (4 points)
    iLife
    May 19, 2015 11:43 AM in response to Tesserax

    Tried this:

     

    AirPort Utility.jpg

     

    With SKY6C307 being the main network, and I put in the password that I use to access the main network.

     

    Getting this error:

     

    AirPort-Utility.jpg

  • by Bob Timmons,

    Bob Timmons Bob Timmons May 19, 2015 12:01 PM in response to NickToye
    Level 10 (105,067 points)
    Wireless
    May 19, 2015 12:01 PM in response to NickToye

    Unfortunately, extend a wireless network is the wrong setting.

     

    Please let the setup utility suggest the setup for you. It will be correct.

     

    Start over again by holding in the reset button on the back of the AirPort Extreme for 7-8 seconds, then release and allow a full minute for the AirPort Extreme to restart to a slow, blinking amber light status.

     

    Insure that the Ethernet cable connects from a LAN <--> port on the Sky modem/router to the WAN "O" port on the AirPort Extreme.

     

    Click the WiFi icon at the top of the Mac's screen and look for a setting of New AirPort Base Station. Just below that, click directly on AirPort Extreme.

     

    New AirPort Base Extreme.png

     

    That will get the setup wizard running. It will take a minute to analyze things and then present a window that looks similar to this, except that you will see a picture of the AirPort Extreme:

     

    Uverse - Fios Setup.png

     

    Network Name........Enter the same name that the Sky device is using......IF.....the AirPort Extreme will be located a few rooms away from Sky device. Enter a different name....something simple of your choice......IF.....the AirPort Extreme will be located in close proximity to the Sky device.

     

    Base Station Name......Enter a name that you want to call the AirPort Extreme.  Mine is AEBS, for example

     

    Password........If you entered the same wireless network name as the Sky network above, then enter the same password as the Sky network. Otherwise, choose a different password that you want to use for the network that you are using

     

    Verify.....Verify the password again

     

    Click Next

     

    The wizard will setup everything for you. Wait a minute for a message of Setup Complete, then click Done. And, you are done.

  • by NickToye,

    NickToye NickToye May 19, 2015 12:25 PM in response to Bob Timmons
    Level 1 (4 points)
    iLife
    May 19, 2015 12:25 PM in response to Bob Timmons

    Ok, think I'll give that a go.  Thanks Bob.

  • by Bob Timmons,

    Bob Timmons Bob Timmons May 19, 2015 12:30 PM in response to NickToye
    Level 10 (105,067 points)
    Wireless
    May 19, 2015 12:30 PM in response to NickToye

    Extend a wireless network would be the correct setting if the AirPort Extreme were connecting using only wireless to another Apple router.

     

    But, you are connecting using Ethernet, so create is the correct setting.