Network your home PC and Mac > Part I - Getting your PC to "act" like a MacStep 1 - Choosing and setting up the Mac hardware As we mentioned in the overview, we're going to use a Mac LC475 as the example in this "how to." The LC475 does not come equipped with an Ethernet port and requires a plug in card to add Ethernet functionality. For those of you with built-in Ethernet, you'll want to go directly to Step 2 for software installation, or perhaps if you've done that already, go directly to Step 3 to see how to set up MACLAN on the PC side of your network. For everyone else, the choice of which card is much more limited than in the PC world, but you'll still have a choice of several manufacturers. We've provided links to some of them on our Links page. We like the Sonic Systems line because they also include some nifty software for free. For most older Macs, including those that use the LC PDS or CommSlot, for the Ethernet card, you'll be limited to 10Mbps speed. There may be some fast Ethernet cards out there, but we're not readily familiar with any. In addition, you'll want to stick with 10BaseT, or twisted pair (the type that looks like phone wire but has 8 not 4 wires), hardware. You may find cards with 10 Base2 functionality via a BNC or "thin Ethernet" connector, but you'll pay a lot more for it. This means that if you don't already have one in your network setup, the move to a Mac to PC network will require you to add a hub and go to 10BaseT or "twisted pair" cable connections. The money you say from buying a Mac card with BNC will pay for an inexpensive 10Mbps speed hub so now is the time to switch. Now, with your new Mac Ethernet card in hand, let's get started. To install the Ethernet card in the Mac, you'll first need to open the computer. With the LC475 that's easy enough with two buttons on the back and lifting the cover off. Pull the cover off as we show here.
For the LC475 and many other Macs, you'll want to look for a special slot to install the Ethernet network card. The card should come with detailed instructions for this. Next, you'll need to take off the cover on the back of the computer to allow space for the card's twisted pair, or RJ45, port. Once that's removed, simply press the card into place as shown here.
Reinstall the cover and that's it. Unlike PCs, most Macs won't require any screws and instead have slick snap-in-place connectors. Finally, plug a suitable-length Ethernet category 5 cable into the back of the Mac and the other end into a hub. (PLEASE NOTE: As we've mentioned elsewhere on the site, Ethernet cables come in different "category" numbers. These relate to the number of turns per foot in the cable, but don't worry about the technical aspects. Just keep in mind that only category 5, not the other readily available quality level - category 3, will work in 100Mbps networks. The price difference is minimal so make sure to buy only category 5 now and you'll be ready to move to a faster network anytime.) That's it for the hardware, you're ready to turn on your Mac and get ready to install the drivers needed for the new card and to set up the other software you'll need to network your Mac. Let's move on to Step 2.
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