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Question

File Sharing while using multiple networks

Oct 12, 2011 4:33AM PDT

I am working in a University setting research lab and am attempting to network three Mac computers together.

I have an iMac running 10.6.8, MacBook pro running 10.5.8, and another iMac running 10.5.8

They all connect to the internet via wireless and the University's
general connection. I need them to communicate to each other in order
to share files. I set up a wired network powered by a linksys router.
The computers all connect and obtain IP addresses automatically through
DHCP.

I found that in order for the computers to be able to be on both
networks and connect the to internet I had to change the "Service Order"
so that AirPort has priority.

The problem I am running into is that the computers are only able to
connect to each other intermittently. As if the OS is unsure which
connection to use for file sharing requests. I frequently get
"connection failed" errors when attempting to join another computer, and
yet all three computers are always visible to each other.

At one point or another I have managed to get each computer to connect
to each other computer, but I can never consistently get all three
sharing at once.

Does anybody know if there is a way to instruct the computer which connections to use for specific tasks?

Thank you

Discussion is locked

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Answer
Take them off the wired, Linksys, network and
Oct 12, 2011 7:28AM PDT

continue to set up the file sharing while they are connected to the campus network.

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Answer
Just a thought. DROPBOX
Oct 13, 2011 12:26AM PDT

Can all three share a DROPBOX?