Broadband Setup Guide for Apple Mac

If you've got an Apple Mac computer running OS X, you can use these instructions to help set up your PlusNet broadband service for the first time. We suggest that you make your first connection using a wired (Ethernet or USB) connection, by following this guide.

Once you've got your service working you can then make a wireless connection if you want to. A video tutorial explaining how to connect your Apple Mac to a wireless router is available, which you may find helpful to follow.

Watch Installing Apple AirPort [Video Help]

Before starting your broadband setup

• Make sure that your broadband service is enabled.
• Make sure you remove any previously installed broadband equipment from your Mac
• Have your broadband username and password available. We send you this in an email when your broadband service is activated. Note that your username is different from the one you chose for your account. See our Broadband Settings page for more information.

Fitting microfilters

Plug the microfilters into your broadband-enabled telephone socket. Microfilters stop any interference from other telephone equipment affecting your broadband service. For more information read our Guide To Fitting Microfilters.

Important: Take care extra when plugging your microfilters in. Microfilters plugged into the wrong places are a common cause of broadband faults. Your broadband hardware should always be plugged into a microfilter. If you have any equipment attached to extension sockets on the same line, they should also be plugged into a microfilter.

1. Connect your microfilter to your broadband enabled telephone line. You should also connect a microfilter to any extension on this line that is in use. This includes extensions used with fax machines, alarms or satellite equipment.
2. Connect your broadband router or modem to the microfilter plugged into your phone line, and then connect the modem to your Mac's network port using the Ethernet (RJ-45) cable.
3. Connect the power supply to your modem or router and plug the power supply into an available power socket.
4. Turn on your modem.
5. From the Apple menu, choose System Preferences.
   
   

   System Preferences

6. In the System Preferences window, click Network to display its preferences.
   
   

   Network Setup

7. From the Show drop-down menu, choose Built-in Ethernet.
   
   

   Selecting 'Built-in Ethernet'

8. Click the TCP/IP tab, and choose Using DHCP from the Configure IPv4 drop-down menu. The DNS server addresses are 212.159.13.49 and 212.159.13.50.
   
   

   Optional DNS Server addresses

9. Some routers or modems will automatically configure the Ethernet settings when you connect up. If you see information next to the "IP Address" and "Subnet Mask" sections, you can open up your web browser because your hardware has been automatically assigned most of its connection settings.

   Once you've accessed your router setup screens, enter your username and password.

   Username: username@plusdsl.net
   Password: Your standard PlusNet password

   Almost all hardware purchased in the UK is already setup with the right connection settings. You should not need to change these yourself. In the event that you do need to check them or change them, the broadband settings you need are provided below:
   
   Data Circuit Information: VPI = 0 (Virtual Path Identifier) VCI = 38 (Virtual Channel Identifier)
Data Link Encapsulation: PPPoA
PPP Properties: VC Multiplexed


10. Now click Connect to start to use your broadband account and access to the Internet. To go online just open your browser or email program.

Congratulations, your Apple Mac is now broadband enabled!