Bugbyte's 2001 New Beetle -Mac Mini Install - Page 8

Fuse314 · 11-06-2005, 03:36 PM

Have you gotten the VNC with your ad-hoc network to run?

If you are using an ad-hoc network connection, you usually have no DHCP-Server (that's the one managing the dynamic IP-Addresses), so you will have to manually set the IP-Addresses in both PC's Network settings:

Try this:
- Set your mac mini's wireless card to ad-hoc network and set an ip-address manually (for Example 192.168.2.5 with a subnet mask of 255.255.255.0, no gateway address is needed in this configuration)
- Set your home PC(or mac ...)'s wireless card to the same SSID name you have set for the ad-hoc network on your mac mini and set the ip-address manually (for Example 192.168.2.6 with a subnet mask of 255.255.255.0, gateway is also not neccessary)

Now you should be able to connect to the running VNC Server on your mac mini by connecting to 192.168.2.5 .

The only drawback of this method is, that you have to change your network configuration every time you want to switch from ad-hoc to your access point and vice-versa :-(

HTH
[==] Fuse

Bugbyte · 11-06-2005, 06:47 PM

Thanks very much for the advice. I haven't gotten it to work in ad-hoc. Part of that problem is that I don't know what constutes "ad-hoc" in the Mac world. By that I mean that there isn't a setting to go into ad-hoc. You either connect to a visible network or you don't. You do have the option to create your own network, which I suspect is "infrastructure" mode.

However, I do think I can set up a "location" on the Mini and I do know how to specify the I.P. address. I'll take a shot at it from that angle.

Basically, what I need is to have the car running with both computers booted and a monitor on each with somebody who knows better about networking than I do. I may ask someone at work if they're willing to do it.

Willy-Mach1 · 11-06-2005, 11:28 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by Bugbyte

Thanks very much for the advice. I haven't gotten it to work in ad-hoc. Part of that problem is that I don't know what constutes "ad-hoc" in the Mac world. By that I mean that there isn't a setting to go into ad-hoc. You either connect to a visible network or you don't. You do have the option to create your own network, which I suspect is "infrastructure" mode.

However, I do think I can set up a "location" on the Mini and I do know how to specify the I.P. address. I'll take a shot at it from that angle.

Basically, what I need is to have the car running with both computers booted and a monitor on each with somebody who knows better about networking than I do. I may ask someone at work if they're willing to do it.

Actually I think that the create your own network option is the Mac way of saying ad-hoc. Usually Infrastructure mode is when you are connecting to an access point, thus connecting to some kind of "network infrastructure".

Give it a try with the create your own network and let us know how it goes. I'll try to give it a shot if I have the time, if my girlfriend let's me borrow her Powerbook

And using the "location" options is definately way to go for changing network settings. I wish windows machines had an option like that without aftermarket applications or using scripts.

Jeep5 · 12-02-2005, 01:15 PM

Very nice setup man, I'm planning to do that with my jeep but I'm still trying to figure out placement for my mini. Are you still using your PC in there or did you just go all out with the mac?? And if you are, are you using some sort of KVM to switch between them?

Bugbyte · 12-02-2005, 03:09 PM

Both computers are still in the car. I'm too cheap to pay $70 for a KVM, so I thought of using VNC to access the PC in the back. This works fine.....at home on my wireless access point. In the car, no luck so far. To be fair, I've been working on a couple of other items at the moment but I need to get back around to fixing this.

Gamz · 02-14-2006, 10:46 AM

I know this thread is quite old, but did you find any problems with your battery draining with your Mac in sleep mode?

Thanks

thecolor · 02-14-2006, 12:16 PM

Bug: Have you considered this option:

http://www.orangeware.com/endusers/wirelessformac.html

Apparently they make a driver that adds to the airports abilities.
Now,I've yet to get my machines in my car, but if the problem has not been resolved by then I may give it a whirl. On the other hand, I may also just stick a relatively inexpensive router in my car to pick up wireless wherever I am, and with a few ports on the back networking to any other machine in the car is a snap (PC or MAC). In addition to that, if you ever bring another machine with NIC or wireless capability, you can instantly connect to the router hidden in your car.

That in fact might be the nicest option as you will not have speed issues over at least a 10/100 NIC connection.

Mind running another wire in your car?

Bugbyte · 02-14-2006, 08:16 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by Gamz

I know this thread is quite old, but did you find any problems with your battery draining with your Mac in sleep mode?

Haven't had any problems with sleep. There was a single instance where the P1900 somehow got out of synch with the Mini and ran the battery dead but I don't consider that normal. It sleeps and wakes great! About 3 seconds from car start to music.

thecolor · 02-14-2006, 10:04 PM

How long have you been able to leave it sit (without a recharge (running the car)) and still be able to start it. (the car)? Having the 'puter in sleep that is.

Bugbyte · 02-15-2006, 05:56 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by thecolor

Bug: Have you considered this option:

http://www.orangeware.com/endusers/wirelessformac.html

Mind running another wire in your car?

Well, I made this really nice dock that works well and all, but the ONE THING I left out was an ethernet cable. I mean, with wireless and all, I figured why bother? Possibly an oversight I regret now.

I've moved on and ordered a USB KVM switch so I can get these things working together.

Quote: Originally Posted by thecolor

How long have you been able to leave it sit (without a recharge (running the car)) and still be able to start it. (the car)? Having the 'puter in sleep that is.

I've left it over 3 days with no problems. The P1900 has a low voltage cutoff at around 11.5 volts so it won't run the battery dead. You can reprogram it to cutoff at a higher voltage.

If I'm going to be out of it for more than a weekend, I shut it down or remove it from the car.

thecolor · 02-15-2006, 06:46 PM

3 days... hmm. This might sound crazy, but is there anyway I can request a test (of course totally on your schedule). I'm very interested in the likelihood of being able to leave it on always for constant communication, etc. Of course a car is typically driven at least every other day, unless alternate means afford them self, however I'm the type that likes to have as many options as possible.

And man!!!, ya forgot the nic jack, I must admit, wireless is nice, but ultimately wired is fastest (still) (way to much redundancy in wireless connections to make them that fast. Even on my 108mb wireless router, I don't get it. It will say it does, but with wireless you have to have redundant packets sent to make sure the whole bit gets across, otherwise corruption.

More so than wired. Don't get me wrong, I love my wireless options, cell phone, wi-fi, Bluetooth, etc... but if I can get a wired connection without to much hassle, I'm all over it.

I may eventually just have a backup solar recharge for a secondary battery so it has that always on saftey feature.

ScubaX · 02-16-2006, 01:31 PM

If with your wireless your looking for more speed, accuracy and distance you may want to consider 802.11n. While the final standard has not been approved, Belkin does offer pre-N products. Even with redundancy they will achieve 108mbps. They are also backwards compatable. And are actually suppose to hit 600mbps if both connections are 802.11n.

From IEEE P802 Task Group n meeting:

Quote:

IEEE P802.11 - TASK GROUP N - MEETING UPDATE:
Status of Project IEEE 802.11n
Standard for Enhancements for Higher Throughput
January 2006, Kona, Hawaii, US
Task group n has voted unanimously to confirm selection of a joint proposal for high throughput wireless local area networks. This proposal will amend and extend the IEEE 802.11(TM) WirelessLAN standard to incorporate new technologies for increasing the throughput of wireless local area networks up to 600 Mbps.

thecolor · 02-16-2006, 09:00 PM

I would love to give it a whirl, although I just recently forked the doe for this baby. Oh well. When it's old enough for me to care we will be much further past 108mb.

Sides, in my next house I will be wiring everything in fiber, so until wireless can beat the speed of light, here I come lighting.

thecolor · 02-20-2006, 04:19 PM

Bug, Hope you don't mind me posting this reference here, as you seem to have been the real go getter in the installation process and have the most frequent visits, I figure it would be a good place to get the word out.

I recently ran into a story and purchased a secondary Mac Mini Power supply for $49 from Apple and wanted to share that they are now available.

I've posted a small spot in this forum: http://mp3car.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=70270 on the deal.

Please post any further comments about that product either on that post or a new one, since this is about Bugs setup.

Thanks