This Guide provides an overview of options for connecting a Macintosh to a PC or other computer on the same network. This Guide is referencing to a "PC" is a computer using Microsoft Windows with an AMD or Intel microprocessor.
There are several ways through which we could make connection with the Windows PC.To share the data between two computers we have to keep them on the Network and can have the single connection between the two. Once this is done, we could start some type of sharing on at least one of the two computers.
The computer that is sharing is known as a server. The computer that connects to it is called a client.
To connect to the client computer we just needs an application program that can connect to the type of service being offered. Sometimes this application is built-in part of the operating system, such as the Mac OS X Finder or Windows file browser.
When we connect two computers together, we should have the clear idea about what is meant by "client" and "server." Though the idea conveyed by these terms is simple and generally consistent, there is an important variation on each: Any computer that offers a service is a "server" in that context. However, the term is also used to describe a computer or operating system that has been designed expressly for that purpose, such as Mac OS X Server. In addition to describing the computer, "client" is also used to describe the software used to connect to a particular service. A Web browser, for example, is an HTTP client.
Making a physical connection
The physical components of an Ethernet network are compatible with computers that use many different operating systems--such as Mac OS, Microsoft Windows, Linux, and UNIX. We can connect all of these computers to the same physical network, which may be wired or wireless (AirPort, for example).
Making a service connection
Following are the Services that are designed for various tasks, such as transferring files, webpages, or print jobs. Common examples that you may use are:
- AppleShare (also known as AFP, Personal File Sharing, Apple File Service)
- File Transfer Protocol (FTP)
- Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP, used primarily for webpages)
- LPR (Line Printer Request, common for printing)
- SMB (Windows file sharing)
Bookmarks