Mac Mini 1TB Server (A1347)

[NickInMN]

I recently got one of these to use as a build server for developing iOS apps. As I started looking at the specs I noticed it has an Airport Extreme card in it. It has a fresh install of MacOS Sierra on it. Now to my question. If I were to plug this into my router, could I set it up to act as a wireless router? Right now I have a consumer grade Linksys wireless router that I have to reboot all the time. It would be great if I could eliminate that. I will be using it as a server for other things so it will be on all the time anyway, I figure I may as well get some use out of it.

Please excuse my ignorance, this is my first piece of Mac hardware. If there is an existing step-by-step guide, or a good reason not to do what I am asking please let me know.

 

[mcnallym]

Short Answer is no, don't do it.

If you really must then

http://www.macworld.co.uk/how-to/ma...-hotspot-share-your-wired-connection-3653936/

talks through how to do it.

 

[jpietrzak8]

BTW, on that Linksys router: have you checked if new firmware is available for it? I was recently pulling my hair out trying to get my mother's computer working with hers, until I finally checked the router for updates. A few minutes later, everything was working fine...

 

[NickInMN]

Short Answer is no, don't do it.

If you really must then

http://www.macworld.co.uk/how-to/ma...-hotspot-share-your-wired-connection-3653936/

talks through how to do it.

Just to satisfy my curiosity, why is this a bad idea?
[doublepost=1492713780][/doublepost]

BTW, on that Linksys router: have you checked if new firmware is available for it? I was recently pulling my hair out trying to get my mother's computer working with hers, until I finally checked the router for updates. A few minutes later, everything was working fine...

The router I have has reached end of life and Linksys will no longer provide firmware updates for it.

 

[treekram]

To be clear, the 2014 Mini and the last Airport Extreme share the same (or similar) Broadcom BCM4360 chip, but they don't have the same WiFi circuit boards and they have different antennas. If you use the Mini as a hotspot, don't expect the same router performance as an Airport Extreme (or similar WiFi routers). If you're the only person who's going to be using the hotspot and you're within a smallish distance, that may work, more people, more distance, maybe not.

 

[NickInMN]

Good to know. The Mac Mini I have is a mid 2010 model.

 

[Celerondon]

Just to satisfy my curiosity, why is this a bad idea?
...

Why is this a bad idea? The method is not horrible, it simply is not ideal. I tried this system with my 2012 and it worked but I quickly moved to install a proper router in the system.
Why?

1. The 2012 (or 2010) mini lack AC Wi-Fi performance
2. A Mac mini is a poor router because it lacks ports (My AE has gigabit connections to the mini and some networked storage.)
3. A Mac mini has inferior antennae compared to an Apple AirPort Extreme or other dedicated Wi-Fi router
4. My Mac mini had to be on at all times - (Perhaps a non-issue during server duty)
5. The firmware in a dedicated router provides a simple way to manage multiple networks, users, and configurations - (i.e. the dedicated router is more versatile)
6. A mini that is performing as a router cannot use the Wi-Fi feature for other tasks - AirPlay link feature

 

[California]

I used to do this with a 2009 Mini... in a place that had only hard wired internet.

Used it as a wifi router.

Not ideal but it DID work.

P.S. you have to configure the Mini so it does not go to sleep, which should not be a big issue with the 2010 Mac Mini server if you are using it as a server.