Switch AppleTalk between AirPort and Ethernet

Apr 04, '05 09:51:00AM

Contributed by: The_Keymaker

AppleTalk can only be active on one port at a time, so if you switch from wired to wireless often, it can become a bit annoying to switch locations or to manually modify the AppleTalk settings everytime you change. AppleTalk switching is really clunky at present -- I wish Apple would come up with something more Mac-like.

This solution isn't much help, but I find it more convenient than switching locations from the Apple Menu. If it's set up correctly, you can turn AirPort on and off as needed using the AirPort status icon in the menu bar, and AppleTalk will be automatically switched for you. I find toggling AirPort from the AirPort status icon in the menu bar easier than digging into the Location menu under the Apple Menu. As an added benefit you only need one location (e.g., "Automatic") to make this work.

Here's how I've set it up.

On your "Automatic" location (or the location setting of your choice), arrange the Network Port Configurations (System Preferences > Network > Show > Network Port Configurations) so that AirPort is first in the list, and Built-in Ethernet is second. You can drag them to arrange them. Configure the AirPort and Built-in Ethernet settings on this location for your wireless and wired network settings, respectively. Be sure to tick the checkbox to "Show AirPort status in menu bar" under the AirPort tab of the Network preference pane.

Next, with AirPort on, set AppleTalk to Active on the AirPort configuration. Now when you are plugged into the wired LAN, simply turn AirPort off from the status icon in the menu bar. AppleTalk will automatically switch to your Built-in Ethernet connection. When you un-plug from the wired network to go wireless, simply turn AirPort back on and AppleTalk will switch back to your AirPort connection.

[robg adds: This previous hint explained how to do the same thing using some shell scripting...]

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