Network preferences are an essential part of managing how your Mac connects to the internet and other networks. In macOS, the Network Preferences pane allows you to configure settings for Wi-Fi, Ethernet, and other network interfaces. This article will guide you through the process of accessing and configuring network preferences on your Mac.

Accessing Network Preferences

To access the Network Preferences on your Mac:

1. Click on the Apple menu in the top-left corner of your screen.
2. Select "System Preferences" from the drop-down menu.
3. In the System Preferences window, click on "Network."

Configuring Wi-Fi Settings

Once you are in the Network pane, you can configure your Wi-Fi settings:

1. Select "Wi-Fi" from the list of network interfaces on the left.
2. Click the "Advanced" button in the lower-right corner to access more options.
3. In the Wi-Fi tab, you can manage preferred networks, set up proxies, and configure TCP/IP settings.

Example: Adding a New Wi-Fi Network

To add a new Wi-Fi network manually:

1. Click the "+" button under the list of preferred networks.
2. Enter the network name (SSID) and select the security type.
3. Enter the password for the network.
4. Click "OK" to save the settings.

Configuring Ethernet Settings

If you are using a wired connection, you can configure Ethernet settings:

1. Select "Ethernet" from the list of network interfaces.
2. Click "Advanced" to access more settings.
3. In the TCP/IP tab, you can configure settings such as using DHCP or manually entering an IP address.

Example: Setting a Manual IP Address

To set a manual IP address for your Ethernet connection:

1. In the TCP/IP tab, select "Manually" from the "Configure IPv4" dropdown menu.
2. Enter the IP address, Subnet Mask, and Router (gateway) address.
3. Click "OK" to save the settings.

Using Terminal for Network Configuration

For advanced users, macOS provides command-line tools to configure network settings. One such tool is networksetup.

Example: Changing the Wi-Fi Network via Terminal

To switch to a different Wi-Fi network using Terminal:

1. Open Terminal from the Applications > Utilities folder.

2. Use the following command to connect to a Wi-Fi network:

   networksetup -setairportnetwork en0 "NetworkName" "Password"

   Replace "NetworkName" with the name of the Wi-Fi network and "Password" with the network password.

Conclusion

Configuring network preferences on macOS is straightforward using both the graphical interface and Terminal commands. Whether you are managing Wi-Fi or Ethernet settings, macOS provides flexible options to ensure your network connections are set up according to your needs.