September 22, 2026

The mac mini -- network setup

I want a static IP, namely "chispa" at 192.168.0.8.

This is in system settings, network, ethernet, details, then TCP/IP
It just happens -- no need to restart services or reboot.

Start a sshd server

Settings, General, Sharing Find remote login and turn it on

Again, this "just works". No need to use sudo, su to root, or restart services.

hosts file

By golly, there is an /etc directory with a hosts file I add two entries using: 
sudo vi /etc/hosts

SMB mounts

Use Finder, Cmd+K to get the "connect to server" window.
Type smb://host
click Connect
The word is that NFS is much faster -- but opinions vary.

Start a vnc server

Settings - General - Sharing - Screen sharing.

Now I need a vnc client on linux: 

dnf install tigervnc
Then: 
vncviewer chispa

An independent VNC session?

It prompts me for a user/password and then I get a display, the same session that is on the Mac console! MacOS does not allow a new or separate virtual desktop via VNC like linux does. But someone describes this scheme: 
For an unattended device the way I do this is make a dummy generic account on the Mac,
  enable 'Remote Management' not 'Screen Sharing', and then do the following

- VNC as your account, at this point you are on the MacOS login screen and interacting with the physical session

- Login as the dummy generic account, now you are interacting with the dummy accounts physical session

- Close your VNC session out and establish a new one, again as your account.
  Now you will have a virtual session as your account while the physical session is still the dummy generic account

- If desired logout the dummy generic account using terminal (sudo pkill -9 -u 

This is working on MacOS 15.3.1
Have any comments? Questions? Drop me a line!