Hello everybody I hate to be a bore; but I wonder, could somebody possibly explain to me please just how CD/DVD sharing is supposed to work on the new Mac Mini, MacBook Air, etc. under Lion? We've been told, I think incorrectly, that we might be able to have our Mac Mini server boot from a DVD using CD/DVD sharing. I am by no means an expert in these matters hence my question. But I'm very skeptical for a number of reasons:
1. I don't believe this is possible using the type of network that we use. Ours isn't the typical residential style network that uses NAT addressing in the 192.168.*.(* or 10.0.*.* range. Our networks require explicit addressing and if that doesn't exist, that's the end of the story, the TCP/IP connection isn't going to work. However, I know that there are other protocols as well but I still think they rely on an automated network which ours are not. We could probably enable DHCP at our router; but that could prove disruptive in other ways and it's something we're unwilling to do. Quite apart from anything else, it's yet another security block. If somebody were to manage to infiltrate our network by guessing the WEP2 Enterprise pass phrase which, given its length and characteristics, I think is unlikely, they would then require explicit IP addressing in order to be able to do anything with our network. But now I am babbling; so on with the matter in hand. 2. It is my understanding that there are firmware issues involved because we can't even get the machine to boot from a DVD drive connected to it via USB with either a Snow Leopard or a Lion DVD in the tray. If that won't work I really don't see how DVD sharing is going to work even if there is an active network connection. I believe that the 2.0 GHZ I7 quad core Mac Mini Server and the new I7 2.7 GHZ client version of the mid 2011 Mac Mini as well will only boot either from its internal HD or via the boot ROM downloading a copy of Lion or Lion Server, dependent on which Mac Mini you have, from the Apple website. That latter option would be difficult for us since as I keep saying, we don't use NAT. So, if anybody can enlighten me further I would be grateful. Currently we are toying with the idea of upgrading some of our other hardware which represents another investment in Mac Access Dot Net. But only if it's going to be really beneficial and only if it's going to give us the flexibility we need. Gordon keeps talking about going the Mac Pro route and, if indeed there is no other way to boot the Mini, I think that's something we're going to have to seriously investigate either later this year or early next. Thank you most kindly for any input. Lynne <--- Mac Access At Mac Access Dot Net ---> To reply to this post, please address your message to [email protected] You can find a monthly formatted archive of all messages posted to the Mac-Access forum at the following URL: <http://mail.tft-bbs.co.uk/pipermail/mac-access/index.html> The Mac-Access mailing list is guaranteed malware, spyware, Trojan, virus and worm-free! Please remember to update your membership options periodically by visiting the list website at: <http://mail.tft-bbs.co.uk/mailman/listinfo/mac-access/options/>
