We created iGet to be extremely easy to use, for almost any level of Mac user. We think we've largely succeeded in that goal, but we're frequently told that the biggest stumbling block is not how to use iGet itself, but rather how to set up the Mac's Internet connection in a way that makes it possible to connect back to it via the Internet. With cable or DSL modems, routers, IP addresses, and firewalls all in the mix, it can indeed get complicated.
These tutorials are designed to illustrates some techniques for setting up your Internet connection so that you can use iGet to access your files back at home or back at the office when you are on the road.
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Basics: IP Addresses, Hostnames, and Network Connections
Start here if you are need a basic primer on Internet connections. This brief tutorial explains the basics of IP addresses, hostnames, and how they work. It also discusses internal IP addresses, which can only be used on a local network such as your home or office network, but cannot be used to connect from outside locations. -
Setting Up Dynamic DNS
Most ISPs provide a dynamic IP address. This means that your public IP address changes from time to time. This makes it hard to connect back to your Mac, because you never know if the address might have changed. By setting up dynamic DNS, you can get a hostname—that is, a non-numerical address like "mymacbook.example.net" that always connects you back to your Mac, even when the IP address has changed. -
Multiple Macs Behind a Router/Firewall: Port Forwarding
If you have multiple Macs sharing an Internet connection, you typically have a router, Airport base station, or similar device. That device has the real IP address, and then it shares the connection with the Macs behind it. To enable iGet to connect back to your Macs which are "behind" the router/firewall device, you typically need to set up port forwarding as described in this section.