This article explains how to set up a Macintosh to share files on the Internet using Mac OS 9 file sharing, and how a client Macintosh connects to a host Macintosh on the Internet.

Mac OS 9 introduces the ability to share files with other Macintosh computers over the Internet using file sharing.

Software Requirements

At a minimum, the Macintosh sharing files (the "host") must be using Mac OS 9. If both the host Macintosh and the client Macintosh are using Mac OS 9, they can share files with each other. Here are the minimum requirements:

Host: Mac OS 9

Client: System 7.5.3, with Open Transport 1.1.2, and AppleShare Client 3.7.4 software

Setting Up the Host

Set up the host Macintosh the same as you would for file sharing on a local network. If you are not familiar with how to use file sharing, choose Mac Help from the Finder's Help menu. Alternatively, see article 6859: " Mac OS: How to Use File Sharing ".

Additionally, make sure that "Enable File Sharing clients to connect over TCP/IP" is enabled in the File Sharing control panel. See Figure 1.

Figure 1 File Sharing control panel

Connecting to a Host

You must know the IP address of the host to which you wish to connect. The IP address is in this form, for example:

24.93.127.65

Many computers on the Internet, particularly those connected by telephone modem dial-up, have a different IP address each time they connect. Be sure you have the correct IP address for the host Macintosh; you may have to contact a person at the host who can tell you its current IP address. As shown in Figure 1, the IP address of a host that is properly set up for file sharing is displayed in the File Sharing control panel.

Follow these steps to connect to a host Macintosh:

1. Open the Chooser.

2. Click AppleShare.

3. Click Server IP Address; a dialog box appears.

4. Type in the IP address of the host Macintosh.

5. Click Connect.

6. A dialog box appears for logging on to the host Macintosh.