Mac OS X to the Max: Networking Mac OS X with Windows Computers

Troubleshooting

I Can't See the File Server Using the Connect to Server Command

I have configured file sharing on a machine on the network, but I am unable to access it using the Connect to Server command.

There can be many causes of this problem. The information in the following paragraphs should help you identify the source of the problem and solve it.

First, ensure that the file server can access the network. If Internet access is provided over the LAN, attempt to access Internet resources from the file server. If there is a printer or other network device, attempt to use that device from the file server. If that is successful, you know the problem lies with the configuration of the machine. If you can't access any network resources from the file server, a problem exists with the network connections for the file server. Check all the cabling to ensure that the machine is properly connected to the network.

Second, make sure that File Sharing is turned on.

Third, ensure that the file server's firewall is not blocking access to the service you are attempting to use. Mac OS X includes a built-in firewall you can use to protect your machine from attack. This firewall can block the very services you are attempting to access. If this is true, the machine won't be visible to the network.

To learn how to configure the firewall built in to Mac OS X, p. 911.

My Mac OS 9 Machine Can't Share Files

When I try to access a Mac OS X file server from a Mac OS 9 machine, I can't see it in the Chooser.

Make sure the Mac OS 9 machine can access the network. Use the Chooser to select a network printer or other device. If that works, you know the problem lies with the configuration of the machine. If it doesn't, you have a networking problem. Check the cables and hubs to make sure everything is connected properly.

On the Mac OS 9 machine, turn off AppleTalk using the Chooser, assuming that the Mac OS 9 machine has an IP address. AppleTalk can cause problems with TCP/IP file sharing.

If the Mac OS 9 machine does not have an IP address, ensure that AppleTalk is turned on for the Mac OS X file server.

I Can't See the FTP Site

When I try to move to the FTP site, I get a connection refused or site not found error.

First, check whether any TCP/IP services are working. Turn on Web sharing for the machine you are attempting to use for FTP. If you can successfully connect to its Web site, a problem exists with the FTP services themselves. If you can't successfully connect, you have a network problem.

If the problem is related to the FTP service, make sure you don't have a firewall installed that blocks FTP services. Also, try shutting down the FTP machine and then starting it up again.

Even though enabling the Passive FTP mode on the Proxies tab of the Network pane of the System Preferences utility is supposed to enable FTP services through the Mac OS X firewall, I had trouble getting reliable access to machines on which the Mac OS X firewall was enabled, especially when using an AirPort connection. If you have trouble accessing an FTP site on a Mac OS X machine, try disabling the firewall on that machine (be sure you aren't connected directly to a broadband Internet connection with the firewall disabled) to see whether that is blocking access to the FTP services.

FTP Access Was Working, but Now It Isn't

I have successfully accessed FTP services on a machine before, but now it isn't working.

If you are using a Web browser to access the FTP site, quit the browser, restart it, and try again.

If several unsuccessful logins to an FTP service have been attempted, subsequent logins will be denied. When this happens, restart the machine providing the FTP services.