Adding MacBook pro to network

[hologram]

Here's a basic, probably silly question, but I have to ask...
I have a desktop iMac with an external drive connected by USB.
I'm thinking about buying a MacBook pro. I'm sure that when I add it to my wi-fi network the iMac will show up, but what about the external? Since it's plugged in to the iMac does it become part of the network and will it show up on the MacBook?
I'd like to be able to work on documents, download things, etc. from the laptop directly to the external and work on them there, having access to them from both drives.

 

[DHagan4755]

Here's a basic, probably silly question, but I have to ask...
I have a desktop iMac with an external drive connected by USB.
I'm thinking about buying a MacBook pro. I'm sure that when I add it to my wi-fi network the iMac will show up, but what about the external? Since it's plugged in to the iMac does it become part of the network and will it show up on the MacBook?
I'd like to be able to work on documents, download things, etc. from the laptop directly to the external and work on them there, having access to them from both drives.

It's not automatic. That would be a security risk. You will need to setup File Sharing in the Sharing pane of System Preferences. You will have to add the external drive as a shared folder & choose users who can access it — preferably not accessible to guest users.

 

[hologram]

Thank you, that's exactly what I wanted to know.👍