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iBook Q&A - Revised June 11, 2007
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How do I network the iBook to another Mac?
There are several ways to network the iBook to another Mac.
Wirelessly (AirPort/AirPort Extreme)
Two AirPort (802.11b) or AirPort Extreme (802.11g) equipped iBook models or one wireless capable iBook and another AirPort or AirPort Extreme-equipped Mac, can be networked together without the AirPort hardware access point by using "direct computer-to-computer communications" within a range of approximately 50 meters.
For Macs that have 10Base-T or 10/100Base-T or faster Ethernet installed and are capable of running MacOS 8.6 or higher, the first Mac can be added to an AirPort network via a crossover Ethernet cable between the computer and the hardware access point and the iBook can be added to the same network by the wireless connection if AirPort or AirPort Extreme is installed.
Wired (Ethernet)
If you're not interested in using wireless networking, or your iBook does not have AirPort or AirPort Extreme installed, you can use a simple crossover cable, or Ethernet cables and a hub, to connect your iBook to another Mac. Two "white" iBook models (post-Clamshell iBook systems) -- can be connected to each other or another Mac of similar vintage with a "standard four pair category 5 or better Ethernet cable", as no crossover cable is needed.
Although it has not been updated in quite some time, Three Macs & A Printer covers basic types of wired networking in-depth.
Firewire
All but the "original" iBook models -- the iBook G3/300 (Original/Clamshell) and G3/366 SE (Original/Clamshell) -- also can be connected to another FireWire-equipped Mac, by using "FireWire Target Disk Mode".
In this mode, the other computer simply will appear as a second hard drive on the desktop of the iBook. According to Apple "to use Target Disk Mode, simply connect the computers using a FireWire cable, then start the second computer while holding down the 'T' key on its keyboard."
For additional information, please refer to "How to Use Firewire Target Disk Mode".
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