Internet Connectivity -- MacTCP

MacTCP -- The Basics

acTCP is a Control Panel that allows your computer to "speak the language of the Internet" by acting as a translator from the Internet language (TCP/IP) to the Mac's native networking language (AppleTalk). Though it is commercial software, MacTCP comes standard with System 7.5 and can otherwise be acquired from Apple Computer, Inc.

Now, be prepared, this isn't exactly easy. To get set up with MacTCP, follow along, no matter how confusing it may begin to appear. We'll do our best to explain this coherently.

Before we jump in too deep, you need to help us by getting the answers to a couple of questions. If you don't have these already, you'll probably want to contact your Internet Service Provider.

As we go through and discuss the answers, we'll also show you how to configure the MacTCP control panel. Just sit back, have fun, and let us do all the work. Here we go...

MacTCP -- The Questions and the Tutorial

Question 1

What is the domain name?

Your ISP should have returned an answer something like: ipa.net, onramp.net, or halcyon.com. Open the MacTCP control panel, click the "More..." button and type the domain name in this shaded region.

Question 2

What is the IP address of the domain server?

Your ISP should have returned an answer similar to 205.218.170.10. This number is the IP address for your domain server, which translates names to addresses. This number needs to be typed next to the domain name, right here.

Question 3

Is the subnet mask class A, B or C?

Also, your ISP should have returned A, B, or C. Click and hold the pop-up menu with A, B, or C and select whatever your ISP indicated.

Question 4

Is my IP address assigned manually or by the server?

Your ISP should specify if your IP Address is manually or server assigned. If the address is server assigned, click the "Server" radio button and enjoy the sense of accomplishment you feel.

If your IP Address is manually assigned, then click the "Manually" radio button. With that, you have only two more questions to answer:

What is my Gatway Address?

Once you have it, type it here.

What is my IP?

They should respond with an IP address in the same form as the domain server IP, only with some different numbers. Close the "More" dialog box by clicking "OK." And then type the IP in the shaded box here.

OK! Break out your finest meats and cheeses, you're finished! You have just set up Apple's most difficult Control Panel. Next, all we have to do is set up your PPP Config software! Meet me at the MacPPP section!! See ya there.

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