AndyGump

Q: General Network Question

I have a network established with computers and printers and whatever. Now I bring a new computer and allow it to contact my WiFi system. Does it only get access to the internet or does it see the entire network? If I want it be part of the overall network already established what are the steps that I have to take to get the new computer known to the network and it knowledgeable of the network?

 

Thanks

 

Andy

iMovie '11, Mac OS X (10.7.4)

Posted on Jun 22, 2012 3:18 PM

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Q: General Network Question

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  • by Tesserax,

    Tesserax Tesserax Jun 22, 2012 6:18 PM in response to AndyGump
    Level 9 (54,657 points)
    Wireless
    Jun 22, 2012 6:18 PM in response to AndyGump

    By default a Mac or PC joining the wireless network would also have access to that network ... and to the Internet if that same network already has Internet access.

     

    In order for that same computer to be "seen" on the network, it would need to be configured for the type of sharing that you want it to provide. For example, if you want it to share a drive, you would configure it for file sharing.

     

    Apple provides a great tutorial on file sharing here.

  • by AndyGump,

    AndyGump AndyGump Jun 23, 2012 11:22 AM in response to Tesserax
    Level 1 (9 points)
    iPad
    Jun 23, 2012 11:22 AM in response to Tesserax

    How acout a printer that is on the origianl network, Would the newly added computer have to do something to be able to get to it, like drivers for the printer? Would the original network have to make the printer shared?

     

    Andy

  • by Tesserax,Solvedanswer

    Tesserax Tesserax Jun 23, 2012 2:13 PM in response to AndyGump
    Level 9 (54,657 points)
    Wireless
    Jun 23, 2012 2:13 PM in response to AndyGump

    Basically you have two types of printers: 1) Network-ready printers or 2) Non-network ready printers. The former have at least three things that make them stand out over latter: 1) Ethernet port, 2) Built-in wireless, & Built-in print server. Regardless of type, a computer trying to access these printers must have the proper printer device drivers to communicate with it.

     

    You can make a non-network ready printer a pseudo network-ready by connecting it, via a USB cable, to a wireless router that provides print server services, like the AirPort Express.

     

    What is the make & model of the printer that you are trying to share on the network?