OS X Lion: Share your computer with others on your network

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Share your computer with others on your network

You can set up your computer to share files, folders, and other services with users on your network. You can share a website you host on your computer, or a printer connected to your computer. You can even share your computer’s screen.

Use the information on this page to help you set up your computer to share the services you want with the users you want to share with.

DVD or CD sharing

If you have installed the DVD or CD Sharing Setup software, you can allow users of other computers to access your DVD or CD drive. This can be helpful if the other computer doesn’t have an optical drive, or if you want to provide access to your optical drive to other computers on your Ethernet or wireless network.

Share your DVD or CD drive

File sharing

You can set up your computer to share your entire computer with everyone, or restrict the sharing service to allow specific users access to only certain folders. You can share files using Apple Filing Protocol (AFP), File Transfer Protocol (FTP), or Server Message Block (SMB) protocol.

Share files with others on your network

Screen sharing

You can set up your computer so that others can share your screen. While your screen is shared, a user of another computer sees what’s on your screen and can open, move, and close files and windows; open applications; and even restart your computer.

Share your screen with other computer users

Printer or scanner sharing

If you have a printer or scanner connected to your computer, you can allow others on your network to use it.

Share your printer

Web sharing

If you have a website on your computer, you can allow other users on your network to access it.

Share a website on your computer

Remote login

If you allow remote login, you can use Secure Shell (SSH) to log in to your computer from another location.

Allow a remote terminal to access your computer

Remote Apple events

You can set your computer to respond to events sent from other computers on a network.

Allow remote Apple events

Xgrid

Xgrid allows computers on a network to work together in a grid to process a job.

Set up your computer as an Xgrid agent

Internet sharing

If your computer is connected to the Internet, you can share its connection with other computers on your local network.

Share your Internet connection

Bluetooth sharing

If your computer is Bluetooth enabled or you have a Bluetooth USB adapter connected to your computer, you can share files with other Bluetooth enabled computers and devices.

Share files using Bluetooth

Last Modified: Oct 31, 2013
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