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IP Over 1394/Firewire?

Chanc_Gorkon asks: "Just like to ask the Slashdot community if anyone has a set of step-by-step instructions for connecting two computers via IP over Firewire. Mac OS X Panther supports IP over Firewire, as does Windows XP. I would like to hook my PowerBook to a Windows XP machine, and be able to access the Internet and share files over the link. I am shooting for near full functionality, but the closest I came in my initial trials was being able to set static IP's per Firewire port, and do a FTP between the machines. If I can get this working, I figure this will be a good way of getting my PowerBook on the office network, without having to have a drop put in."

52 comments

  1. ICS by ag3n7 · · Score: 3, Informative

    You need to set up Windows Internet Connection Sharing on the firewire port to allow for that connection to use your LAN drop.

    http://www.homenethelp.com/ics/index.asp can help you

  2. It's no different to any other interface. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Informative

    I've connected my Late 2001 iBook 600MHz to a friends Shuttle PC running Windows XP Pro, without issue. I turned on XP's Internet connection sharing (which includes a DHCP server), told the iBook to dynamically find an IP, and it worked.

    It's all just basic troubleshooting from the point you're at.

  3. Slashdot != Windows Tech Support by gwynnebaer · · Score: 1, Funny

    Gimme a break. File this under "More Stupid Ask Slashdot Tricks".

  4. my experience by heldlikesound · · Score: 2, Informative

    I recently networked two iBooks together using IP over FireWire and was surprised to discover i was only getting about 20k a second, it was quite strange. Anyway, as for HOW to do it, it's simply an network interface option under the Network system pref panel. Anyone else get it working, but not get the speed the were expecting?

    --


    Cloud City Digital: DVD Production at its cheapest/finest
    1. Re:my experience by CptChipJew · · Score: 2, Informative

      I've connected my desktop G4 to my PowerBook a few times.

      It's actually pretty fast. 20mb/sec or more. Getting speeds that slow is probably atypical.

      --
      Vonal Declosion
  5. Buy a $25 hub/switch by madstork2000 · · Score: 2, Informative

    If you want to get your PowerBook on line at the office don't waste your time with firewire, just buy a cheap hub.

    Use the right tool for the job. Firewire probably can be coersed into working, but it was not designed as a netwroking tool. Thus it will definately will be a lot bigger pain in the butt than simply using standard network tools.

    I speak for e experience of trying to get an SLIP connection going between my desktop and my HP 200LX back in the day. I also wasted time with an old notebook and laplink parrellel cables, because I did not want to spend $200 at the time for a PCMCIA network card.

    The times have changed, take advantage of it.

    MS2k

    1. Re:Buy a $25 hub/switch by kommakazi · · Score: 4, Informative

      You are living in the stone age (or at least under a stone) my friend, if FireWire wasn't a viable medium for networking, why is support for it built in to both Windows XP and Mac OS X??? With built it support, it hardly requires ary "coersing" as you say. Just because you had some bad experience with SLIP back in the day doesn't prove anything about FireWire's networking capability/functionality. FireWire is much faster than a standard 10/100 connection, so it's use could be very advantageous in a 2 computer setup tranferring files. I think you are the one who needs to take advantage of these changed times.

    2. Re:Buy a $25 hub/switch by Phexro · · Score: 1

      On the other hand, the poster does state that they want to access the internet, so the local link is not going to be the bottleneck.

      The grandparent is correct. If you can't put in a new drop, you should get a small hub or switch.

      If transfer speed is an issue, a new gigabit ethernet board can be had for under $20.

    3. Re:Buy a $25 hub/switch by kommakazi · · Score: 1

      I realize that it's intended for internet usage, but I was trying to tout the general advantages of using a FireWire connection to the parent of my first post.
      As for the grandparent being correct, I beg to differ...why should the poster go out and buy a small hub or switch when he already has the FireWire cable needed to get the job done in a perfectly acceptable manner? Why would it be "correct" to buy a small hub or switch?
      Once again, about the gigabit ethernet board, why go buy more hardware you already have FireWire ports on both computers that are perfectly capable of doing the same thing?

    4. Re:Buy a $25 hub/switch by Phexro · · Score: 1

      It's clear that the poster would prefer ethernet, except s/he is unable (or unwilling) to install a second drop, and wants to use FW as a replacement. Just because it can be done doesn't mean that it's a good idea, and there are significant disadvantages to using FW instead of ethernet.

      For example, you're dependent upon another computer, which is far more likely to crash than a simple hub or switch, you have to use NAT to communicate with other systems on the LAN, and it's more difficult to get set up, and more difficult to use than ethernet.

      Pricewatch has a 5-port switch listed for $13 with shipping & handling. Though the poster may have a FW cable, $13 seems like a very reasonable price to pay to avoid the hassles s/he has already encountered.

    5. Re:Buy a $25 hub/switch by kommakazi · · Score: 1

      1) I don't see anywhere where it's "clear" that they'd prefer to use ethernet. They merely mention it at the end as a last resort to get a new drop put in.
      2) If he's doing this at work, he's more than likely going to be dependent on a computer that will be on the same desk as his laptop. If it crashes, he can restart it because he will be sitting right there.
      3) Enabling NAT is by no means difficult. You simply check a box or click a button and it's turned on. Wow that was hard. 4) Setting up the FireWire network is just as easy as setting up the ethernet hub/switch, if not easier. You just attach the 1 FireWire cable to both computers. Configuration on the computer is just as easy as with ethernet since it is built into both OSes he is using.
      Lastly, I don't think he was actually having any real trouble with it. He said he got FTP to work, so obviously the FireWire network was set up fine. All he really needed to know was how to enable internet sharing (NAT) over that connection.

    6. Re:Buy a $25 hub/switch by NoMoreNicksLeft · · Score: 1

      Yes, if parallel ports aren't meant for networking, then why are the drivers for p port ethernet devices in windows?

      He certainly is living in the stone age.

    7. Re:Buy a $25 hub/switch by mewyn · · Score: 2, Informative

      What if you can't get an IP for the network?

      Some companies may just have some totally backwards policies on assigning IP addresess. For example, where I work you need to get a FQDN before you are able to get an IP from DHCP, or if you are unlucky enough to be in 90% of the complex, you have to have a statically assigned IP address. You have to go through and call the help desk to get the IP or FQDN before you can hook up the device. In a case like this, if you don't want to be hassled about the IP, you could just do firewire networking. I plan on doing it, as soon as my ancient NT box gets replaced.

      Mewyn Dy'ner

    8. Re:Buy a $25 hub/switch by NanoGator · · Score: 1

      "If you want to get your PowerBook on line at the office don't waste your time with firewire, just buy a cheap hub."

      This is not insightful. Some of us need that 400/800mbits of bandwidth.

      --
      "Derp de derp."
    9. Re:Buy a $25 hub/switch by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Ever heard of NAT, dumass?

    10. Re:Buy a $25 hub/switch by Awptimus+Prime · · Score: 1

      I was also considering the cost to the american workforce while well paid engineers and coders waste their time answering a $25 question for some hack.

      I set up a FW bridge between two of my boxes in less than 5 minutes of pecking around in the systems control panels. It's Windows and Macs, for pete's sake. This is ok, next, next, finish type stuff.

      I'd suggest going with the parent's suggestion. You aren't going to like it once you get it set up. Sure, save money now but it'll cost you later in electricity, sanity, etc.

    11. Re:Buy a $25 hub/switch by Feztaa · · Score: 3, Funny

      This is not insightful.

      You're right, it's informative.

      (it must be true! It was modded that way! ;)

    12. Re:Buy a $25 hub/switch by Phexro · · Score: 1

      1) Poster says, "...this will be a good way of getting my PowerBook on the office network, without having to have a drop put in." Clearly, this is an alternative to using plain ethernet.
      2) That does not make it less frustrating if/when the system crashes. Furthermore, were the poster to use a hub/switch, they would still have one system with network access if the other crashes, instead of being cut off until the host system fscks/scandisks.
      3) NAT is a huge disadvantage if you want to use a LAN, not an advantage.

      If the poster had enough trouble that they had to ask /., it's clear to me that the correct solution is to spend the $13 and get a switch.

    13. Re:Buy a $25 hub/switch by tigersha · · Score: 1

      Ok since you are so bright, does Windows Internet sharing automatically do NAT when you use it or does it forward your DHCP request to the rest of the net?

      Because if it does not NAT could be quite a hassle to setup.

      --
      The dangers of excessive individualism are nothing compared to the oppressiveness of excessive collectivism
    14. Re:Buy a $25 hub/switch by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      of course it does NAT. Otherwise, you would be requesting another ip address, and you wouldn't be SHARING your internet connection, only the physical connection. That is the point...

      And, yes, I'm an AC...I'm way too lazy to register.

    15. Re:Buy a $25 hub/switch by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      You are kidding, a switch costs at most $5. Very often, free after rebate.

  6. What version of OS X? by a.koepke · · Score: 3, Informative

    Are you running the latest version of OS X. OS X 10.3 (Panther) has the IP over Firewire built-in. Before that it was available as an extension. If you are not running 10.3 then update and try again.

    Also just saw this nice tutorial about this. Have a look and make sure you have done all the required steps. Also have a look though the comments.

    --


    (\(\
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    (")")
    *This is the cute bunny virus, please copy this into your sig so it can spread
    1. Re:What version of OS X? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Congratulations on RTFW. Nevermind the article.

      Mac OS X Panther supports IP over Firewire, as does Windows XP

      Just a guess, but I think he knows that Panther supports IP over Firewire. I do believe he is in fact, using it.

      Congratulations, your braindead attempt to post early and karma whore astounds us all. You are truly a Slashdot hero.

  7. real easy by self+assembled+struc · · Score: 0, Redundant

    in windows xp you just turn on internet connection sharing and bridge the 1394 and ethernet addresses. set up the IP of your windows machine as your gateway on your mac.

    done.

  8. Why Drop? by MindStalker · · Score: 1, Redundant

    I don't understand how is running a firewire line between two computers easier than running an RJ45 line? I'm guessing your RJ45 is already used up though receiving your internet connection? So get a simple hub. Case closed.

    1. Re:Why Drop? by bluedream · · Score: 2, Insightful

      Last time I checked, Firewire was 400 Mbps... quite a bit faster than 100 Mbps ethernet. Probably kicks ass with file transfers.

      --
      savethedollhouse.com
    2. Re:Why Drop? by dyte · · Score: 1

      Firewire and Ethernet use different methods to measure speed.
      Firewire can move data at 200 Mbps in each direction (200 Mbps Full Duplex).

    3. Re:Why Drop? by Mournblade · · Score: 2, Insightful

      Except some companies (including the giant east-coast bank that just acquired my company) do not allow hubs or switches at the desktop for security reasons. I confess that I never asked what the specific policy was, since I was in charge of wiring the space before we moved into it 3 years ago. I specified 4 cat5 drops to each workstation (office and cube), with two punched down to the phone system, and two to the network. If necessary, we could steal a 3rd drop for the LAN, but so far, 2 has been enough.

    4. Re:Why Drop? by zonker · · Score: 0

      on the same note, many companies don't like laptops period because they are a security risk. people take them home, install all sorts of software on them and then bring them to work and connect them to the network. like a 2 bit tramp, god only knows what kind of stuff you've just introduced into the system...

    5. Re:Why Drop? by MindStalker · · Score: 1

      Ok, so instead of going through the proper channels you just suggest cheating. This has this exact same security risk as installing a hub but simply trying to go around the rules. And its not like you can really claim you didn't understand, if you can figure out how to get it to work, you obviously did understand. Good luck finding another job.

    6. Re:Why Drop? by Mournblade · · Score: 1

      In no way did I suggest cheating. I said that we wired the space for extra capacity, giving us an extra drop per workstation if needed. The new company is aware of the infrastructure here. They were told about it in planning meetings, and they saw it for themselves when we moved over to their network. ALL drops on the LAN are patched into the switches and monitored. If there's anything I don't understand, it's the *why* of the policy, not the *what*. I confess that I've never asked why they have a problem with hub/switches but not multiple drops at a workstation. Mostly because I don't care. I need two PCs to do my work, and I have them. Pretty simple.

  9. Try this by $exyNerdie · · Score: 2, Informative

    Try this

    If nothing else works, try joining the Apple Developer connection. The link can be found here

  10. Why Firewire? Some suggestions. by cbiffle · · Score: 4, Informative

    A lot of posts have been of the form:

    "Why are you using Firewire for networking? Buy a hub!"

    A couple of points.
    1. A lot of us have Firewire cables lying around but not hubs. Therefore, Firewire: $0. Switch: $25.
    2. Firewire has the potential to be really fast. I know some of the third-party Firewire networking solutions for Mac used to sell well simply because they were 4x the speed of Ethernet -- which makes a big difference if you're transferring, say, massive TIFF proofs. (I personally have not gotten this working, see below.)

    However:
    1. It's a Mac. If you've got a free Ethernet port on another machine, you don't need a hub/switch. Macs detect crossover-vs.-normal UTP cables automatically.
    2. Last I checked, the Firewire IP implementation in Panther wasn't terribly standard -- or, at least, I couldn't get any of my Linux or BSD boxes to recognize it. Might work with XP; should work with another Mac.

  11. You've got it working! by megabyte405 · · Score: 2, Informative

    Now you just need to set up the internet sharing. Try using a proxy server ( analogx.com has a good free once for windows) on the machine that's directly into the ethernet drop, binding the proxy to the address you assigned to the Firewire connection (You did use a private IP, right?)

    You've got IP over Firewire, you just need routing/proxying services. This seems to have mislead some people's responses.

    --
    I recognize people by their sigs. Is that a bad thing?
  12. you'll need this.. by danalien · · Score: 0, Offtopic
    what you need for this is recipt:

    *eth1394 (depends on ieee1394 - and both are in the latest kernels - I know it's in the 2.4.20+ for a fact *use it myself..not eth1394, but ieee1394...*)

    • but Read this site carefully, check your kernel,
    • download a patch & patch it if necessary... the 'usual common sense'-principle...

      so grab a supported/the patched kernel...,and don't don't forget to configure & compile it with these options:

      • 'OHCI-1394 support'

      • 'Ethernet over 1394
        'Raw IEEE1394 I/O support'
        ...ps, and maybe while you're at it, add 'SBP-2 support (Harddisks etc.)' too ...

      (btw, in 2.4.20+ - you'll need to enable "Code maturity level options --> [*] Prompt for development and/or incomplete code/drivers" , or else you won't see the "IEEE 1394 (FireWire) support (EXPERIMENTAL)" all this is under..)

      if you compiled 'all of these things' as 'Modules', don't forget to load up these modules(and try to do them in that order....):

      • ieee1394

      • raw1394
        ohci1394
        eth1394

      elsewise, load only those that are modules .... - and if you compiled all of them into your kernel, just skip all of the above...

      !PS - on some hardware it's also required that you first unload 'ohci1394' before you remove your the Firewire Controller (ONLY for PCMCIA users ...)

      !PS - if you are a really 'unfamiliar with loading & unloading drivers' & 'don't know how to automate these things'.... don't bother, stick with your windows/OS X box... }:-)

    * and you might also want to check these out:
    • DVTS - for some furthur info if you don't manage on your own ( they are implementing a "..DV streams from IEEE1394 over IP.", sorta related, I guess)
    • FIREHOSE - "FIREHOSE gives you a basic data transfer over multiple network devices supporting TCP/IP layers. Stripe multiple 100Mbit, Gigabit, 10 Gigabit, or firewire to give one humungous pipe for firehosing your gigabytes and gigabytes of data." (I guess, also related...)

    --
    I don't claim I know more than I know, and if you know you know more than I know, then by all means, let me know.
  13. Re:Why Firewire? Some suggestions. by elmegil · · Score: 1
    Firewire has the potential to be really fast.

    Point to point, yes. Using one of the machines as a router to the internet, the internet won't get any faster than that 10bT/100bT drop. Unless the original poster is dealing with enormous files (say video) the hassle involved in getting this to work is worth way more than the $25 or so to buy a blinkin switch.

    --
    7 November 2006: The day Americans realized corruption and incompetence weren't addressing 11 September 2001
  14. Speed by metalhed77 · · Score: 1

    Firewire is far faster than 100 base T ethernet.

    --
    Photos.
  15. Easy to do... by dr00g911 · · Score: 4, Informative

    I've had a setup similar to what the poster's looking for for quite some time now

    The basics (under Panther, similar under Jaguar):

    - XP *loves* to bridge all of your networking connections, and it treats firewire as one. Don't let it. Delete the bridging node if it's in your Net Connections panel.

    - Use the Internet Connection Sharing wizard, and set it to share your ethernet over the 1394 connection (firewire in the civilized world).

    - On the Mac, go to your network control panel (prefpane, whatever), Show --> Network Port Configurations

    - Add a New --> Built-in Firewire connection

    - Set it up for DHCP and you should be good to go. You might also disable your built in ethernet, airport and dialup ports for this configuration if you want an easier time debugging the connection.

    The connection works great between my Shuttle box and my Powerbooks. Close to gigabit speeds for local filesharing, speeds you'd expect for 'Net sharing.

    Once the price of gigabit hubs comes down, however, I'll probably never use this connection type again. If my rendering farm gets big enough to require that type of constant bandwidth, I'll probably go gigE or fiber.

  16. Use FireWire disk mode by gotr00t · · Score: 4, Informative
    Though ethernet over 1394 is possible, and is capable of a good speed connection, a better method would be to just use Firewire disk mode on the powerbook - all Apple computers with firewire port come with it.

    First, make sure that both computers are linked by firewire, then, reboot the powerbook, holding down 'T' as it is starting up. It should give you the firewire logo on the screen, meaning that it is in FW disk mode. Then, simply use the powerbook as a firewire hard disk (SBP2).

    1. Re:Use FireWire disk mode by Libraryman · · Score: 2, Informative

      Firewire Target disk mode is great, it is a fantastic way to clone systems, dump a large file (DVD image, DV from firewire cameras, etc.) but it doesn't solve this problem.
      A Mac in target disk mode is still an Apple, and its HD is still in HFS+, not something you can access from a WinXP box.

  17. Very good idea ! See my journal by forged · · Score: 2, Informative

    I wrote my own experience with IP over 1394 some time ago, you can read it here. It's working just fine on my case, slightly better than FastEthernet with ~150Mbits/s practical transfer rates, but not quite as good as GigabitEthernet. If you have a couple of Macs with built-in GigabitEthernet, then you'll be better off plugging a crossover Ethernet cable (Cat6 for Gigabit) between them, configure IP, and enjoy even greater speed.

  18. Huh? by molo · · Score: 2, Insightful

    If you could ftp from one machine to the next over firewire, then IP is working. Sounds like you need to figure out how to setup a NAT or HTTP Proxy. You're barking up the wrong tree.

    -molo

    --
    Using your sig line to advertise for friends is lame.
  19. Dear Slashdot by Zork+the+Almighty · · Score: 3, Funny

    I figured I'd save everyone the trouble of writing their own question, and just post my template.

    I was wondering, has anyone here done $COMMON TASK$ with $INAPPROPRIATE DEVICE$ ? If so, how well did it work ? What problems did you encounter ? I am aware of $APPROPRIATE DEVICE$ for $COMMON TASK$, but I really want to try $INAPPROPRIATE DEVICE$, because of $UNLIKELY TO BE REALIZED BENEFITS$. Thanks.

    --

    In Soviet America the banks rob you!
    1. Re:Dear Slashdot by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      And I am too $BAD CHARACTERISTIC to do my own research or experimentation.

  20. OP: A better way. by Glonoinha · · Score: 0, Offtopic

    I am guessing that the Windows machine is connected to the network via Ethernet, and there is a single Ethernet port in your work area that a little Ethernet cable plugs into on one side, the other side going into the Ethernet jack on your Windows machine.

    Go to Best Buy, or Circuit City, or Frys and buy a small Linksys 4 port 10/100 switch for about $40. Buy an extra Ethernet cable or two. Get a crossover Ethernet cable just in case, save yourself a trip in you need it - buy a red one so you don't have to figure out why it doesn't work in places that regular Ethernet cables go.

    Unplug the Ethernet cable from the Windows machine. Plug it into the switch in the one socket that is set apart from the other four (this is the uplink.) Plug the two new cables (not the crossover) into any two holes in the switch they will fit. Plug the other end of one into your Windows machine, and the other end of the other into the Apple.

    Turn everything on. Voila! Everything pretty much works and you didn't need an extra drop. You can even hide the little Linksys switch under your desk so the IT department doesn't know that you have tampered with the network.

    Last suggestion, network admins can peruse the names of all the machines on their network. I suggest you name the Apple laptop something that looks like it fits in with all the other corporate network machines. I do not know how to do this on an Apple, or even if it applys, but it is worth noting.
    -
    As for making computers communicate over firewire or USB as a way to emulate or replace regular network components ... why, when doing it the straightforward way is so much simpler?

    --
    Glonoinha the MebiByte Slayer
    1. Re:OP: A better way. by Chanc_Gorkon · · Score: 1

      Switches and hubs are a no no. Yes they can tell. I can make it hard by natting the to and spoofing the MAC address of the PC on the switch...but that wasn't the point of the post. I need to move massive amounts of files. Sharing works ethernet jack over the firewire is just an extra item. The primary is I want to move stuff....really fast. Firewire beats a 10/100 switch.

      --

      Gorkman

    2. Re:OP: A better way. by Glonoinha · · Score: 1

      Gigabit networking?

      Adding a gigabit NIC to the Wintel box would be trivial, but I am not sure about availability of gigabit networking on your specific instance of Mac hardware - but if it works you can get a crossover cable to run between the two cards (no intermediate hub/switch necessary) and just hardcode the ip addresses for those cards. It becomes your own little private sub-net, and I believe that once you have done that it is also trivial to share the Wintel box's connection to the outside world.

      Doing this would move the bottleneck from the network to the hard drive, back where it belongs - gigabit theoretical wire speed is roughly ... 90MB/s and even my fastest hard drives peak sustained read throughput is only half of that.

      --
      Glonoinha the MebiByte Slayer
    3. Re:OP: A better way. by Chanc_Gorkon · · Score: 1

      What employer would buy you a gig card for your desktop? Only stupid ones right now. The desktop at work is off limits for modification as well. This is a COMPANY machine man! When firewire machines come on campus, it would be far easier to setup firewire for sharing internet access.

      --

      Gorkman

  21. Target mode under Linux? by no_such_user · · Score: 1

    This is great, but how can I put my linux box in firewire target mode?

    No, really... how? This would be a *huge* benefit to us!

    1. Re:Target mode under Linux? by bash_jeremy · · Score: 1

      Well target mode isn't a feature of MacOS, it's actually part of the firmware. Any Mac that has firewire built-in, has firewire target mode.

  22. offtopic but by Ravenrage · · Score: 0

    how do i set up a dial in acct on win98? i have dsl and want to dial in while out and access the web too