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How to enable OSX Snow Leopard web server and act as a wireless router?

I have two issues.

1) Is it possible to have a MacBook Pro act as a wireless router - I would like to have several devices connect to the MacBook, which will be running a web server as well. I'm hoping to avoid the need to have a separate external router.

2) Does the standard OSX Snow Leapard include web server capabilities out of the box. I'm looking for a simple HTTP / PHP solution.

1 Answer

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  • 1 decade ago
    Favorite Answer

    Yes, it's possible to do... but let me explain why you should just cough up the cash for a router.

    Unfortunately, Mac OS x flat out SUCKS when networking is involved. To be honest, the term "Mac OS X Server editions" are an oxymoron. Making it happen in Mac OS X is going to be a major pain in the ***.

    Not to mention that only one machine will be able to connect, and it will in no way be close to a router. First off, it will have to have a hard line connection that will terribly bottle neck speed because the wireless card will have to use an Ad-hoc connection with internet sharing. Ad to that the fact that most laptop cards will only support a wireless B ad-hoc which has a PATHETIC transfer rate of 12 Mbps. So you will have incredibly limited packet transfer speed. In addition, there will be be some very hair pulling moments just setting up an ad-hoc internet sharing service.

    Seriously, go on craigslist and find a used wireless N router for $20. It will be hundreds of times faster which is reason enough, plus the frustrations you will avoid setting up a router which is quite painless is another great reason.

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