Traffic routed through Mac with Multiple networks?

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Level 1

4 points

Traffic routed through Mac with Multiple networks?

Hi, I have Mac Studio with Ventura. The Mac Studio's ethernet network is connected to a subnet with no access to the main network. Meaning, it is not connected to the internet. To be clear, this is done on purpose.

In order for the Mac Studio to reach the internet, occasionally, for updates etc., I may turn on the Wi-Fi system and let it use that to get to the internet. I said I "may." There are several ways I could accomplish the same thing, but switching on the Wi-Fi is by far the simplest. But is it safe?

I would need to know- and here is my actual question; Should I expect the Mac Studio to then route traffic from the internet via its Wi-fi connection on to the private subnet via its ethernet connection ? That would be a show stopper.

I could experiment- look at the Cisco logs and hook up sniffers and all that to convince myself it is, or is not routing (passing packets from one interface to the other internally) , but I hoped to avoid all that by embracing this community while I am still in the planning stage.

Would anyone in-the-know be willing to share ?

Thanks in advance.

--john

Mac Studio (2023)

Posted on Sep 3, 2023 6:21 AM

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Answer 1

den.thed

Level 10

93,076 points

Sep 3, 2023 7:58 AM in response to scerber

Can you temporarily unplug from the subnet.

Turn on the Wi-Fi to do the occasional update, etc...

Then turn the Wi-Fi back off and plug back into the subnet.

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Answer 2

Sep 19, 2023 6:56 AM in response to scerber

Data is not sent arbitrarily across a network, because if it were, some of it would be sent in a loop and never arrive. Open Transport sends data across the "cheapest" link, measured by number of hops, link speed, and link-loading/busy-ness. The 'cheapest' path is seldom through another computer.

If this is tangential to your question as well, you need to think about what you're asking and be much more specific.

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Answer 3

Sep 3, 2023 8:17 AM in response to scerber

If you have strong reasons to believe your computer should not be connected to the Internet, NEVER connect it.

¿why do you expect your exposure is any less if you are only connecting "for a few minutes" ?? or only for software updates?

Otherwise, leave it connected, and count on the built-in protections in MacOS and the Network Address Translation and Firewall in your Router to give you good protection you from Internet Attack.

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Answer 4

scerber Author

Level 1

4 points

Sep 19, 2023 3:32 AM in response to scerber

I can tell from the responses that my original question was not worded well. Looking at the original post now, I can see how it vectors people's thinking on to "safety of the internet" which is not what I intended. I did enjoy reading the responses though, and thanks to those tried to help, given their understanding of the question. Again, I caused that, so I'm not criticizing anyone's comprehension but my own.

Will my Apple OS try to route traffic from one interface to the other? That was my entire concern.

As it turned out, there is traffic on my main net that causes more concern than what might be coming from the ISP (www) - for example, uPnP devices and software that broadcast in order to discover things.

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Traffic routed through Mac with Multiple networks?

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