How to Use Multiple ISPs on One Computer (Macintosh)

Internet service providers (ISPs) offer various unique features. You may want to use more than one to most effectively use the Internet. Fortunately, using multiple ISPs isn't as complicated as you might think.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Internet Service Providers
• Macintosh Computers

1. Purchase and/or download the installation software for each ISP you want to use.

2. Install the first ISP, following the distributor's instructions.

3. Install the remaining ISPs one at a time, placing the software for each in a separate folder.

4. Keep track of each ISP's access number as well as your username and password for each account.

5. Save each ISP's settings in the TCP/IP control panel. If you're entering TCP/IP information manually (from information the ISP gave you), duplicate the first "configuration," or group of settings, then make the changes for the second ISP and save that configuration as a new file. If each ISP's software configures the control panel automatically, don't let the second installer overwrite the first settings. Save the first configuration under a different name if the installer doesn't ask if you want to overwrite or not.

6. To use a particular ISP, activate its configuration in the TCP/IP control panel, then open the Remote Access or PPP control panel and input the appropriate access number, username and password.

Tips & Warnings

• For most ISPs, the only difference in the TCP/IP control panel will be different addresses for the name servers.

[kbear2]

on 9/25/2008 This info is for System 9 which was surpassed by OS X nearly 8 years ago. Please update your Mac information to this century.