Connecting new MacPro to a network

mjl660 · Post by **mjl660** » Wed Mar 12, 2008 9:49 pm

I just purchased a new MAC Pro 8 core 2.8GHZ and am trying to find the simplest way to connect to the internet for my situation. On my old G4 Mac, I ran wireless from my wifes PC using an Airport card. Now we're considering moving her office to the other end of the house away from my studio. Question is, does anyone know how good the range is on the new Airport exteme cards which transmit the signal directly from the card and how good the signal is? Better yet, my studio has an ethernet line but no phone line! I dont understand networking well at all as to what would be the best way to hook up and I'm getting frustrated with some even at the Apple store who dont seem to know much more than me. So if I purchased a broadband router or switch, can I take the ethernet line out of my Mac pro and plug into either a router or switch, take the out of that into my ethernet plug into the wall? OR do I need a modem and a phone line in this room to make this work? We currently have DSL service. This is driving me nuts! I just want to get hooked up and begin downloading updates so I can get back to recording. I appreciate any advice you have in advance. Thank you, MJL

Frodo · Post by **Frodo** » Thu Mar 13, 2008 9:05 am

One of your computers will be the the "base" to which all other computers will connect.

If you wife's PC will remain the base with the modem and router, then the MacPro will only require an internal Airport card which should recognize the router.

Of course, if you are using DSL the routing is as follows:

1. Phone line to modem
2. Modem LAN to router then to computer via ethernet

--or--

2b. Modem LAN to computer (with Airport) via ethernet

For most households, distance is usually not a problem. Certain wireless devices like phones and electronic remote controllers-- and even microwave ovens can interfere with DSL signal at times.

You say that your studio has an ethernet line but no phone line. What is the ethernet line connected to?

mjl660 · Post by **mjl660** » Thu Mar 13, 2008 8:58 pm

Thanks Frodo! I actually just had an Airport card installed today and it works fine except I notice the reception is not as good as I had on my G4. Only difference with the G4 configuration is that I needed a external receiver?? transmitter?? unit that plugged into a USB port. Does that type produce a stronger signal? Nothing else has changed(my wifes PC is still across the hall no more than 20 ft. away) other than I still have my old G4 sitting next to the MAC Pro under my studio desk and wouldnt think that would block the signal?. Any ideas on how to maximize the signal and performance? The Airport status indicator is getting 3 of 4 bars which I suppose is fine, but my old set up was consistantly at full signal. So I worry when we move the base PC accros the house 100 plus feet away the signal may not be strong enough.

As far as the ethernet line in my studio, I assume it is connected to the network set up in the house. It's only a 3 year old house and is supposed to have phone lines in all bedrooms plus ethernet connections in the family room (for gaming?) and the office. What is strange is that my room has no phone line but does have a ethernet jack(I should probably remove the face plate to verify the previous owner did not cover the phone line with a single port face plate...possible as she may have not wanted phone access in her teenage daughters room which is now my studio

Besides that am I correct to assume if we got a more current modem with ethernet outs, I could connect this out from the base PC modem into the ethernet network and I could hardwire from my studio from the ethernet port??? Thanks again Frodo for your advice.

Frodo · Post by **Frodo** » Thu Mar 13, 2008 10:05 pm

Hmm... 20 feet shouldn't be a problem.

I actually didn't get the internal card but opted for the base station. Sometimes changing the channel of the base station helps reception.

Are there any settings on the PC router that would help boost the signal?

I'm not sure if the card works any differently from the base station in principle, but there might be some Apple docs which might help...

Since you just got the card today, Apple owes you a free call. You might want to explain that the signal on the G4 was stronger.

But for a test, I would try to move the computer into a clear space (out from under the desk) to see if it's as simple as that.

mjl660 · Post by **mjl660** » Fri Mar 14, 2008 10:31 pm

Thanks Frodo. I will experiment with computer placement, the base station settings and also give Apple a call. I thought I read somewhere on this board that it takes a week or so for Airport cards to calibrate properly to full capacity? Sounds strange to me.

Frodo · Post by **Frodo** » Sat Mar 15, 2008 2:25 am

Hmm-- a week or two to calibrate? I can't personally confirm or deny it, but that does sound quite odd. I wonder why that would be? The base station appeared to be pretty much plug-and-play on this end.

I'm curious about this because I'm now interested in getting an internal card put in. I'm considering switching from DSL to cable modem and it would be nice not to have to run long ethernet or cable-cables from one side of the studio to the other.

There are always caveats, aren't there?

Please let us know what you find out with this, MJL. Much appreciated...

Frodo.

stephentayler · Post by **stephentayler** » Sat Mar 15, 2008 2:48 am

One curious thing I have encountered with my MacBook Pro is that when I run from Tiger, Airport sees a really strong signal, but when I switch to Leopard on the same machine, the signal strength is reduced. This has been confirmed by a colleague of mine as well. Can't imagine why.

Kind regards

Stephen