Macs and PCs can co-exist harmoniously on the same network. They can exchange files and share printers or a connection to the Internet.
The adoption of Ethernet and TCP/IP protocols as standard on modern PCs and Macs has hugely simplified interoperability between the two platforms.
For connecting to a network, Mac OS X has an AFP (AppleShare File Protocol) client, an SMB client for connecting to Windows file servers and also an NFS client for UNIX servers. As a result, integrating Macintosh clients with these server platforms is extremely easy.
Macs and PCs on a Peer-to-Peer Network
To connect one or more Macintosh and PC systems, the simplest solution is to set up a small Ethernet network. Mac OS X has a built-in SMB client application enabling the connection of Macintosh clients to Windows servers.
Macs and PCs on a Local Area Network
Mac OS X lets your Mac system connect to every major server platform: AppleShare, UNIX, Linux and Windows (NT/2000/XP). This is because Mac OS X supports AFP, SMB/Samba, WebDAV and UNIX NFS (Network File System) file sharing.
Depending on the network server operating system used, consider the following:
- Mac OS X Server: Thanks to its high performance, Mac OS X Server can serve a large number of workstations, whether these are Macs, PCs or UNIX workstations. The software provides services for sharing Macintosh files (AFP on IP), Windows files (CIFS, via Samba) and UNIX files (NFS).
- Windows NT/2000/XP: Using Mac OS X, Macintosh clients can connect directly to Windows servers thanks to the SMB client built into the Mac OS. Mac OS X requires a domain, username and password.
- Linux or Unix: Clients using Mac OS X can connect to these servers using NFS, just like the other UNIX stations on the network. Viewed from Mac OS X, this is just like connecting to an Apple or Windows server.
- Novell Netware: Macintosh compatibility solutions exist for Netware servers (as of version 4.x). Support for AFP is currently built into Novell 6 and optional on version 5.x.
Sharing Printers Across the Network
Networked Macs and PCs can share one or more printers.
Mac OS X supports all PostScript printers on the market, but Mac OS X Server is even more impressive when it comes to printing. This is because printers managed and shared by Mac OS X Server are seen as PC printers by computers running Windows and as Mac printers by computers running Mac OS X. Because Mac OS X is UNIX-based, Mac OS X print services are even accessible to UNIX workstations.
If the printers connected to the network do not support PostScript, use software solutions like PowerPrint for Networks, which recognizes over 1,600 different models.
Windows NT Server and Windows 2000 Server users should note that Mac computers can connect to any non-PostScript printer with an NT or Windows 2000 driver.
Macs and PCs in a Wireless Network
All current Macintosh systems support AirPort Extreme, allowing you to create a wireless network of up to 50 Macs or PCs per AirPort Extreme Base Station. Thanks to this technology, Mac and PC systems can communicate with each other through thin air (and brick walls). This technology allows data to be sent and received within a radius of about 150 feet.
To use AirPort, Mac owners need an AirPort Extreme Card and an AirPort Extreme Base Station. The latter works like a router and allows an Internet connection to be shared among a number of machines. The AirPort Extreme Base Station can also act as a gateway between a wireless network and a company’s wired network. To enable PCs and Macs to interact on this wireless network, the best solution is to equip PCs with wireless network equipment (be sure that the equipment is 802.11b or 802.11g compliant). To share files directly or share printers, the same tools as the ones used on a conventional peer-to-peer network are required.
