> Why should I buy a product on MacWireless.com, instead of elsewhere?
There are several reasons why you should buy our wireless networking products:
First, we are experts in this field. Over the past 11 years we have designed over 20 networking products for Macintosh which you may have bought form Asante, Dayna, Focus, Newer, or Farallon including the Farallon Skyline wireless products.
Second, we deliver commercial grade products. You may find unsupported, incomplete, or free products from the internet, but if anything goes wrong you are on your own. Many large companies that claim they support Macintosh are unable to actually provide much assistance when it comes down to it.
Finally, we have unparalleled support, whether by telephone or via email coupled with detailed web pages with FAQs, known issues, latest documentation & software, and links to other related & useful web sites.
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> I am undecided between different MacWireless products. Which one should I get?
Try our Card Chooser, it is quick and accurate.
If you are running OS X 10.2 or higher on a PCI machine, our 11g PCI card is an excellent option.
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> How do I set up a wireless network?
As shown on the diagram below, you use an access point, like Apple AirPort base station, to act as a central hub and to connect the wireless network to the internet & to devices on the wired network (such as your printer). The following FAQ will show you how to accomplish all of this even without an access point.
Note: The access point may connect directly to the cable modem or DSL box, or it may connect to an Ethernet router which in turn connects to a cable modem or DSL box. Some access points, such as Apple AirPort base station, also have a built-in 56K modem which can be connected to a regular telephone line.
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> How do I set up a wireless network without an Access Point or a Base Station?
A Macintosh computer, with the Apple AirPort card installed & connected to the internet either through the Ethernet or USB port, can share its internet connection with other computers, without the need of an Access Point or a Base Station.
On the computer sharing its internet connection (i.e. the one with the Apple AirPort card installed):
In OS X (System Preferences:Sharing:Internet:Start), turn Internet Sharing on.
In OS 9.x, start the Software Base Station feature of the AirPort application.
Now, you can connect your other computers to the internet using our 802.11b wireless products (PC Card, PCI Card, USB adapter). Open MacWireless Control Panel. The sharing computer should show up in 'Select from list...' in MacWireless Configuration window. Also remember to select MacWireless in 'Connect via' setting of your TCP/IP Control Panel.
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> I have poor wireless connection. How can I improve it?
Any of the following will help to increase your range and improve the wireless connection:
- Move your access point (AP), such as the AirPort base station, to a better & more central location. Our MacWireless POE solution allows locating the AP in places like the ceiling even though there is no electrical power outlet there.
- Move your computer closer to the AP. With our USB adapter, you can use a longer USB cable to get the adapter closer to the AP.
- In the Preferences window (an Edit menu item) of the MacWireless Control Panel, decreasing your Max Data Rate may improve your wireless connection. This is a feature of the underlying technology which we have uniquely employed in our implementation.
- If you have an installed AirPort card in addition to our adapter (such as in a PowerBook Titanium where you use our PC Card), turn AirPort off.
- Set your AP to a different channel. This may reduce interference from 2.4 gigahertz cordless phones and other access points perhaps in neighboring homes or offices.
- Add a MacWireless Booster to your base station.
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> How can I print over my wireless network
-The basic principle of network printing applies to wireless networks the same as with local Ethernet networks. The printer must be capable of working over an Ethernet network or the printer has to be shared over the network while attached to a computer on the wired or wireless network.
-Consult Apple’s documentation on USB printer sharing if you would like to share your USB printer from one computer to another over the wireless network. http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=75080
-If the printer is an Ethernet ready Macintosh compatible printer, you can attach the printer to a switch or hub with your wireless access point. The printer will be accessible over the wireless network as if it were a device on Ethernet. Note that some access points will not transmit AppleTalk traffic inhibiting the printer connection in the chooser. (See AppleTalk traffic over IP only access points in known issues.)
-There are adapters available that will convert LocalTalk printers to Ethernet. (http://www.asante.com/products/adapters/asantetalk/index.html). Check ebay.com for good deals on devices like these. If your printer is older than a USB printer, this may be an option for you. Consult Apple’s information on TCP/IP LaserWriter solutions for additional information. http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=20148
-There are some older Apple printers that were serial only and will not work over a network connection. These printers include the LaserWriter LS and 300.
-If you have a Windows system with a serial printer that doesn’t work on a Mac, you can consider buying PC MacLan software from Miramar systems. This software allows you to share your Windows printer over an AppleTalk network connection.
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