Interface Station Mac OS
Every operating system enables you to interactwith a computing device in similar ways.And in fact, desktop and laptop operating systemslook and smell very much alike.The mobile operating systems also look and act similarly.Unfortunately, the operating system developers have noagreement on what to call things users interact with.This episode walks through the same common.
Apple's AirPort Software Base Stationis a program that turns a Mac OS 9.x computer into a Wireless Access Point.It requires a Mac OS 9.x computer that has an Internet connection (either dial-up (modem)or Ethernet), and an Apple AirPort Wireless card.It shares the single Internet connection with a number of clients; the clientscommunicate with the Software Base Station viawireless networking and/or Ethernet wiring.
For Mac OS X 10.5 - 10.11; 2. For Mac OS X 10.3 - 10.4 (KX-MC6000 / DP-MC210 / KX-MB3000 / DP-MB300 / KX-MB2000 / KX-MB2060 series only) macOS 10.15 or later is not supported. Some functions may not be used with macOS 10.12 to 10.14. Apple's AirPort Software Base Station is a program that turns a Mac OS 9.x computer into a Wireless Access Point. It requires a Mac OS 9.x computer that has an Internet connection (either dial-up (modem) or Ethernet), and an Apple AirPort Wireless card. It shares the single Internet connection with a number of clients; the clients.
The program is not available for Mac OS X.(Equivalent functionality is supposed tobe available using Mac OS X's Internet Sharing feature,available starting in Mac OS X version 10.2.However, that software contains serious bugs that can interfere with the campus network.)
Do not confuse the Apple AirPort Software Base Station (a program that runs on a Macintosh computer) withApple's AirPort Base Station; the latter is a standalone hardware device.The information in this document applies only to the software version.
The information in this document applies only to Apple AirPort Software Base Stationsoftware running on a Macintosh computer attached to the campus network via the Mac's Ethernet port.This document does not apply to AirPort Software Base Station softwarerunning on a Macintosh computer attached toa network via the Mac's modem (telephone) port.
While Apple's AirPort Software Base Station is not a product that OITexplicitly supports for on-campus use,we anticipate that some on-campus customers will run this programas a means to create private wireless networksattached to the campus wired network.
The purpose of this document is to describe important steps that mustbe taken (by the person responsible for the Macintosh on which the program runs)to prevent the program from interfering with the operation of the campuswired and wireless networks.
Our intent is not to fully document the configuration and use ofthe Apple AirPort Software Base Station; we assume that the owner will reviewthe documentation provided by the vendor.This document is focused on just those particular issues specificto running this program on Princeton University's campus network.
The Basics
Before proceeding, be sure you are familiar withConnecting a Private Wireless Access Point to the Campus Network.
The Apple AirPort Software Base Station always functions as a NAT; itcannot be configured to function as a bridge.Therefore, be sureyou are also familiar withConnecting a Private Network Address Translator to the Campus Network.
The program includes an embedded DHCP server.It will provide NAT and DHCP service to the private network createdby the Mac's wireless interface.As documented below, it must be configured so that it does not serve the Mac's Ethernet interface.
The Macintosh computer on which you will run the software must be subscribedto Dormnet or registered in the Host Database.No special steps must be taken when registering the Macintosh computer;it is registered simply as a normal HOST.(It is not registered as a NAT, because it is not a dedicated NAT.It is is a host that also acts as a NAT.)
Naturally, if you enable the AirPort Software Base Station, thenyour Mac can no longer use its wireless card to connect towireless networks.(After all, the wireless card is now being used to create a newprivate wireless network to which other wireless clientsmay connect.)
Configure the AirPort Software Base Station Software
Configuring the Software Base Station is performed using Apple's 'AirPort' program on the Macintosh. (This is the same program that may be used to configure the Mac's AirPort card.)At the time of this writing,the current version of this program isversion 2.0.4; if you do not have this program on your Macintosh, or you have anolder version, obtain the current version from Apple before proceeding. (It isincluded as part of a software package named AirPort 2.0.4.) You can download it from Apple.(Depending on your Mac, you may also be able to retrieve it fromApple using your Mac's 'Software Update' Control Panel.)
(Apple also provides another program called'AirPort Setup Assistant' to configure the software base station. Do not use that program to configure the Software Base Station;it may not configure itappropriately for use on the campus network.)
Follow Apple's instructions for configuring the Software Base Station(which are not repeated here), but with the following caveats:
Mac Os Gui Interfaces
- On the 'Start/Stop' tabbed pane, you will specify the'network name' that will be usedfor the private wireless network created by your Software Base Station.
The name you enter here is the wireless network name (a.k.a. 'SSID')that wireless clients see, and select to join your private wireless network.
We recommend you name your wirelessnetwork after the hostname registered for your Macintosh.For instance,if your Macintosh is registered as jxydoe.student.princeton.edu,then make your wireless network name jxydoe.student or perhaps jxydoe's network.Using the same name as your Mac's hostnamewill help identify the wireless network to anyone who stumbles across it,and may be helpful for diagnostic purposes.
Be sure that you do not specify puwireless as your network name.That wireless network name (a.k.a. SSID) is reserved for use by OIT Wireless Service;if you were to name your private wireless networkthe same way, it would confuse clients who stumble across it, andcould cause difficulty for users of OIT's service.
- In the 'Network' tabbed pane,do not check the 'Also support Ethernet client computers using NAT' checkbox.
Enabling this would cause your Mac to also act as a NAT on its Ethernet interface.That is not appropriate as your Ethernet interface is attached to the campus network.You should only be serving clients on your wireless interface (i.e. your privatewireless network).
- While not required, we strongly recommend that youlimit the wireless clients that may connectto your private wireless network. (Recall fromConnecting a Private Wireless Access Point to the Campus Networkthat you bear some responsibility for the activity of any clientsof your AirPort Software Base Station, even if they connect without your explicit permission.)
You may choose to limit access in either (or better yet, both) of two ways:
- On the 'Access Control' tabbed pane,specify the wireless hardware address of each client that may connect.(The proram calls the wireless hardware address an 'AirPort ID'.)
You should be aware that this does not guarantee that other clients cannotassociate to your AirPort Software Base Station. It is still possible for unscrupulousindividuals to configure a wireless client to spoof another's wireless hardwareaddress. It just adds another small obstacle for them to overcome.
- On the 'Start/Stop' tabbed pane, turn on the'Enable encryption (using WEP)' checkbox, thenclick the 'Change Network Password...' button tospecify a password for your wireless network.Each wireless client that wishes to connect to your wireless network willhave to enter this WEP password each time it connects.(Do not specify the same password you use for any other system or computer account.It is not difficult for anunscrupulous person to discover your wireless network's password by 'snooping' on its radio transmissions.)
Note that some wireless clients may not support WEP, so this feature is notpractical unless all the clients of your wireless network support WEP.
Note also that WEP is not considered to be strong encryption, and in fact,WEP technology has been 'cracked.'You should not assume that the use of WEP provides you with strong privacy,access control, or integrity.At best, it adds a level of inconvenience to dissuade unwelcome guests from attempting toaccess your private wireless network.Still, each obstacle you add to prevent unauthorized use of your private wirelessnetwork may be helpful.
- On the 'Access Control' tabbed pane,specify the wireless hardware address of each client that may connect.(The proram calls the wireless hardware address an 'AirPort ID'.)
No Support
Although this document discusses the Apple AirPort Software Base Station,it should not be construed as a statement of OIT support for the program,or for the construction of private wireless networks.
We have published this document because we expect some customers will runthis product on Macintosh computers attached to the campus network; unless running with appropriateconfiguration,the program can interfere with the operation of the campus wired and wireless networks.The instructions in this document are intended to document the steps necessary to preventsuch problems.
Mac Os Interface
OIT does not support your Apple AirPort Software Base Station, or theprivate wireless network it provides.You are responsible for operating the program in away that does not interfere with the operation of OIT's wired and wireless networks.If you cannot configure it to operate in such away, you will have to disable the program.
Chrome Os Interface
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