Create and manage network locations
A network location is a group of settings for a specific network port (your computer’s Ethernet port, modem port, or wireless networking port, for example). The Location menu in Network Preferences lets you save and quickly switch between multiple network locations.
By default, your Mac uses the Automatic location, which automatically provides settings for any network ports that it detects are available. (A network port, also known as a network interface, is a way your computer connects to the Internet or a network—such as a modem, Ethernet, or Wi-Fi card.)
In many cases, you can just use the default Automatic location and don’t need to set up any additional locations. For example, if you use your portable computer with a Wi-Fi connection both at work and at home, you can just use the Automatic location, and the settings appropriate to each place will be used.
If you need to use the same network interface with different settings, you need to set up separate locations. For example, if you use your Ethernet port configured manually at work but via DHCP at home, you need to switch locations.
Open Network preferences for me
Create a network location
Choose Apple menu > System Preferences, then click Network.
Click the Location pop-up menu, choose Edit Locations, then click the Add button
.Enter a name for the location, then click Done.
Enter settings for each network port you want to use in that location.
Click Apply.
Switch to a different network location
Do one of the following:
Use the Apple menu to switch locations: Choose Apple menu > Location, then select the location you want to use.
The Location menu item appears only if you’ve created additional network locations.
Use Network preferences to switch locations: Choose Apple menu > System Preferences, click Network, click the Location pop-up menu, choose a location, then click Apply.
Remove a network location
Choose Apple menu > System Preferences, then click Network.
Click the Location pop-up menu, choose Edit Locations, then select the location you want to remove.
Click the Remove button
, click Done, then click Apply.
Rename a network location
Choose Apple menu > System Preferences, then click Network.
Click the Location pop-up menu, then choose Edit Locations.
Double-click the name of the network location you want to rename.
Enter a new name, click Done, then click Apply.
Copy a network location
Choose Apple menu > System Preferences, then click Network.
Click the Location pop-up menu, choose Edit Locations, then select the location you want to copy.
Click the Action pop-up menu
, then choose Duplicate Location.Enter a name for the location, click Done, then click Apply.