If you have an older Mac or printer that doesn't support Ethernet, you can use a bridge to connect the older device to your Ethernet network. It requires the Mac connected to the Internet be on all the time, and if that Mac crashes or need to reboot, the other Mac can't access the Internet at all. It enables multiple wireless Macs to communicate with one another. It provides an Ethernet jack to connect the wireless Macs with all the devices on a wired Ethernet network. The two most interesting base stations are the Apple AirPort Base Station and Farallon's NetLINE Wireless Broadband Gateway.
Most people still connect to the Internet via a modem.
Luckily, the cable or telephone company almost always includes the cable modem or DSL modem, so you won't need to buy one. By default, though, all three of these types of connection serve only a single Mac. There are numerous hardware routers from companies like Netopia, Asante, Linksys, and MacSense. LocalTalk, wired Ethernet, and wireless Ethernet network Install the appropriate Ethernet card in the Performa. Make sure to install any necessary driver software that comes with the card as well.