Mixed home networking environment

Can anyone explain to me the best configuration for a home network if I am using a mixture of different computers, including Win 7, 8, and a new-ish Mac? The Mac has Lion.

I am just wondering if anyone knows if Macs are compatible with Homegroups or Workgroups or Domains? I am a little rusty on my understanding of their differences exactly.

I also have a router that I am planning on using with a network drive option for an external HDD. I have a couple mobile devices as well but I'm not very worried about their compatibility.

Any insight would be appreciated. Thanks!

b100d said:

1. Can anyone explain to me the best configuration for a home network if I am using a mixture of different computers, including Win 7, 8, and a new-ish Mac? The Mac has Lion.

2. I am just wondering if anyone knows if Macs are compatible with Homegroups or Workgroups or Domains? I am a little rusty on my understanding of their differences exactly.

I also have a router that I am planning on using with a network drive option for an external HDD. I have a couple mobile devices as well but I'm not very worried about their compatibility.

Any insight would be appreciated. Thanks!

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1. Use HomeGroup on Windows 7 and Win8. Share with HomeGroup members. If you want to share more than possible with HomeGroup, then share the folders/files from your Username folders or share a given username folder as a whole. Be sure that the Users folder is shared with everyone. On the PC's be sure network discovery is on, and don't turn on password protected sharing unless sharing won't work properly otherwise. On the Mac, don't do anything special; just be sure file sharing is on.

2. Don't use a domain. All computers should be in the same workgroup. Use "Workgroup." Macs are compatible with HomeGroup, but can't, and don't need to be, HomeGroup members. If you have significant problems, then it won't be with the Mac.

TYVM for the info, I will try this and let you know what I find.

You are very welcome. Don't expect everything necessary to go perfectly. Post back with problems.