NOTE: an alternate version of the show has been created that fixes some of the audio problem towards the end of the show. thanks camuel! click to download or listen.
Back to My Mac either just magically works or it doesn’t at all. There are several reasons why it doesn’t just work:
Older Router
Configured incorrectly
Double Router
Weird wired or plugged into the wrong connection.
ISP or BOFH blocking ports.
Back to My Mac users guide.
The secret to getting it to work is to use an Apple router like a Airport Extreme or a Airport Express. However, other routers work just fine. here is a list of compatible routers listed by Apple. just because your router is not on the list doesn’t mean that it won’t work.
A case for not using Back to my Mac and more thoughts on that. and here’s redux.
Apple article on Back to My Mac security. A list of all the ports in use or might be in use on a Mac.
Back to my Mac ports include UDP port 4500 & 5900 and TCP port 443. [one missing port goes here]
general steps:
some gateways are dumb as rocks and just pass on all requests. others are full on firewalls that may or may not allow you to configure them. sometimes there will be nothing you can do and your only options is to upgrade to a new gateway.
if you have a single router connected to your gateway or your gateway is also the router:
Turn on UPnP.
if that doesn’t work
some internet gateways are actually routers. some of them don’t allow you to poke holes in them. they might also be very old and don’t support UPnP. in that case you may need a newer router. but before you do that: upgrade the firmware on your router and or upgrade the firmware on your wireless router.
manually configuring your router:
the documentation for your router will give you the steps you need to enable specific ports. you can always find it online.
other problems
double routers
cable plugged into WAN side on the second router.
one router that doesn’t have UPnP turned on
firewall turned-on without specifying the BtmM ports.
some internet service providers block ports automatically to prevent “server like things” from being run. check your TOS, EULA or tech notes. calling or emailing support might be a good idea as well.
when all is lost
bribe your BOFH with his favorite beverage.
June 11th, 2008 at 12:16 pm
Bribing the BOFH doesn’t always work…. however, bribing the lucky PFY with admin access, that’s possible
Great episode
June 12th, 2008 at 9:24 am
Sigh - the info on Preview as just so good and presented so clearly it has made major changes in the way I work.
But this episode wasn’t just a “conversation already in progress,” it was a “conversation interrupted.” Think Winona Ryder in the loonie bin.
Guys, this stuff is sequential, but you were bouncing all over the place. I’ve had to put a “router” on my DSL line as the DSL modem because the new DSL modem ATT/SBC provides is a one port router. So that bumped my Airport back. It used to feed the logon info to the old dead router, now it is just a bridge.
I, and I presume WE, could use some help with these things.
So how about trying again with some specific, and sequential info:
1. What to do if you have a direct internet connection through a cable or DSL modem
2. What to do if you have all Apple gear on that direct connection;
3. What to do if you have a “router” between your Apple router and the cable or DSL modem.
4. I should type etc. here, because there’s a bunch more.
Won’t miss a show. Just wish they were all as helpful and direct as the ‘cast on Preview!
June 12th, 2008 at 2:41 pm
fair enough. I think that solutions to specific problems would be better served as by a how-to-fix page much like the one I wrote for making a Dell 1320c work from a Mac.
the way this version of the MacBreak Tech website is set up really doesn’t support this kind of thing. it’s something that we are going to change.
June 13th, 2008 at 10:33 am
What about the mac mini? What is it’s future? I thought it would updated for the show.
June 13th, 2008 at 8:18 pm
Guys,
If you want a (new) good read on Back to my Mac you will want to check out Glenn Fleishman’s book “Take Control of Back to My Mac” and “Take Control of Screen Sharing in Leopard”
You can learn more about them here: http://www.takecontrolbooks.com/back-to-my-mac.html
You can even purchase and download it as an eBook.
July 1st, 2008 at 11:14 am
http://images.apple.com/dotmac/docs/L358808A_BackMac_UG.pdf
link doesn’t work anymore
July 1st, 2008 at 11:39 am
the link to the PDF for Back to My Mac is fixed.