Mac OS X: Connect to the Internet, troubleshoot your Internet connection, and set up a small network

Internet connection and troubleshooting

Here are three typical Internet connections. The DNS issues section below applies to all three types.

1. PPP, also known as "dial-up" or "plain old telephone service (POTS)"

These articles explain how to connect to the Internet or troubleshoot your service if you use a modem with an analog telephone line.

Mac OS X: How to Connect to the Internet via PPP (Dial-Up Access)
Mac OS X: Troubleshooting a Dial-Up/PPP Internet Connection
Mac OS X: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) for PPP Modem Connections


Connecting to the Internet via PPP and a compatible GPRS mobile telephone

See Macintosh: How to Connect to the Internet Using a GPRS Mobile Telephone.


Tip: Unexpected PPP dial-up?

If your computer automatically connects to the Internet when you do not expect or want it to, see these articles:

Mac OS X: How to Disable or Enable Automatic Modem (PPP) Connections
Mac OS X: Some Services Cause Modem Connection During Startup


2. Ethernet connection from cable modem, DSL, or LAN

These documents explain how to connect to the Internet or troubleshoot your service if you have a cable modem, digital subscriber line (DSL), or a local area network (LAN). You use your computer's Ethernet port or an AirPort base station to connect to these services.

Mac OS X: Connecting to the Internet via Cable, DSL, or Local Area Network (LAN)
Mac OS X: Troubleshooting a Cable Modem, DSL, or LAN Internet Connection

3. PPP over Ethernet (PPPoE)

Read these documents if your cable or DSL Internet service provider requires you to connect to the Internet using PPPoE.

Mac OS X: Connecting to the Internet With PPPoE
Mac OS X: Troubleshooting a PPPoE Internet Connection
Mac OS X: DSL/PPPoE Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)


DNS issues - "Server Could Not Be Found", webpages load slowly

DNS-related alert messages

It's possible to successfully connect to the Internet but not be able to load webpages or do other things that use the Internet. You may see messages such as:

• "The server could not be found."
• "The specified server could not be found."
• "A connection failure has occurred."
• "Connection attempt failed."
• "Name servers not responding."

Delay before connection

In some cases, webpages might load, but you have to wait quite a bit before they do. This could be caused by DNS issues, too.

The domain name system (DNS) server, which is provided by your Internet service provider or network administrator, translates names like "www.apple.com" to their numerical IP addresses. For more information, see these articles:

Mac OS X: Slow Startup, Pauses at 'Initializing network' or 'Configuring network time'
Mac OS: Troubleshooting 'A connection failure has occurred', 'The specified server could not be found' or Similar Messages
Mac OS: Long Delay Before Web Pages Start to Load, Then Load Suddenly at Normal Speed


Troubleshooting Web browser issues

If your Web browser can connect to the Internet but has other issues, such as quitting unexpectedly or becoming unresponsive ("freezing") there are other steps you can try.


Setting up Mail

You can read all about setting up Mail, the email application included with Mac OS X.


Internet service provider specific information

America Online (AOL) (U.S. customers)

To get AOL software for Mac OS X, use AOL Keyword "upgrade", or go to the America Online website. If necessary, start your computer up from Mac OS 9 to download the software. You cannot initiate a modem connection to AOL from the Classic environment.

Mac OS X: Setting Up AOL Is Different From Other Internet Service Providers
How to Switch Between Mac OS 9 and Mac OS X
Mac OS X: Cannot Connect to AOL in the Classic Environment

EarthLink (U.S. customers only)

If EarthLink is your Internet service provider, you can get more information from the EarthLink Mac OS X support page.


Creating a small network

You can create a simple Ethernet network for your home or office, including a wireless network based on AirPort.


File Sharing

Learn how to share files with other Macintosh computers. Mac OS X also offers a number of ways to share with other platforms.


Using your computer in different locations

If you use your computer in different locations, at home and school, for example, you can easily set up your Internet connections to match your locations and port configurations.


Setting Internet preferences

You may have used the Internet control panel in Mac OS 9 to enter settings such as your email address, preferred mail application, and preferred Web browser.

In Mac OS X 10.2.8 or earlier, choose System Preferences from the Apple menu, then choose Internet from the View menu.

For Mac OS X Panther or later, you set Internet preferences in the included Internet applications.