Bonjour: How does it work?

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Level 1

19 points

Bonjour: How does it work?

I've tried everything and looked everything. How does bonjour work exactly? I feel ******** that I can't figure this out. My main goal is to try and configure my PCs to connect with my mac. My mac can see the PCs, but my PCs can't see the mac. So what would be the best way to get the PCs to see my mac? Also, I have "Allow all incoming connections" turned on, on my mac.

But also, what does bonjour do exactly and what are some ways to use it? Sorry if this is a stupid question, but I really can't find the exact answer I'm looking for.

Thanks!!!

MacBook Pro 2.8 Ghz 15.4", Mac OS X (10.5.7)

Posted on Jul 24, 2009 12:05 AM

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Answer 1

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planb77

Level 7

32,428 points

Jul 24, 2009 6:04 AM in response to Eric333

Hello there,
This is Apple's summary of what Bonjour is.

"Bonjour is Apple's implementation of the Zero Configuration Networking Standard. Bonjour for Windows includes a System Service that helps applications discover shared services on the local network, printer discovery wizard, and IE plug-in for discovering local Web servers. Bonjour uses industry standard IP protocols to allow devices to automatically discover each other without the need to enter IP addresses or configure DNS servers."

Bonjour is a networking protocol that sends and receives network packets on UDP port 5353. If you have some sort of "personal firewall" enabled, you will need to ensure that UDP port 5353 is open for Bonjour to work properly.

Certain firewalls will only partially block Bonjour packets, so if you experience intermittent behavior, check the firewall settings and verify that Bonjour is listed as an exception and is allowed to receive incoming packets. Bonjour will configure the Windows firewall appropriately during installation on Windows XP Service Pack 2 and above.

It is a good place to start at least. Hope this helps.

B-rock

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Answer 2

Eric333 Author

Level 1

19 points

Jul 24, 2009 3:10 PM in response to planb77

I looked at that but I still don't understand it. It doesn't work on windows and I don't know if it works on my mac. Internet Explorer doesn't want it to work correctly.

Can someone please help figure out how to get it to work correctly? I can see the icon in Internet Explorer but when I click it the only thing I see is "About Bonjour". How do I use it?

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Answer 3

v1ncen7

Level 1

25 points

Aug 10, 2009 1:42 PM in response to Eric333

Eric333 - "What do you mean by It doesn't work on windows and I don't know if it works on my mac. Internet Explorer doesn't want it to work correctly." ??

what are you trying to do exactly? Bonjour is a service that basically adviertise other services on your network.

I am not too sure if you want to do file sharing, remote desktop, of else...

Please explain otherwise we can not help..

About the way to use it.. well there are plenty.. you can chat using bonjour on Adium, you can see all the macs with remote Apple desktop enabled, automatically display printers,....and much much more.

Vincent

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