Hooking two computers together

  • Thread starter Thread starter Dave Smith
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Dave Smith

I hope this question isn't too stupid to answer, but here goes:

Can I connect two computers and share files etc. simply by connecting
their ethernet cards with a length of cable, or do I need a router?

Thanks for any help.
 
Can I connect two computers and share files etc. simply by connecting
their ethernet cards with a length of cable, or do I need a router?
Click to expand...

Just for file sharing, etc that's all you need.. a coupla foot long cat5
crossover cable.. should be able to buy one pre-made or cut to length from most
computer/electronics stores.. make sure you get a crossover cable.. (usually
all red or red ends)

If in future you need to connect a third PC, you will need to buy a hub or
switch.

Regards,
Chris
 
I hope this question isn't too stupid to answer, but here goes:

Can I connect two computers and share files etc. simply by connecting
their ethernet cards with a length of cable, or do I need a router?

Thanks for any help.
Click to expand...

A length of cable will work if either of the NICs is a
Gigabit adapter, otherwise as Skeleton Man posted, you'd
need a crossover cable. A router, in and of itself is not
for connecting (any) PCs together in a LAN, it's just that
many/most consumer-grade routers also happen to have a
switch integrated into them... for 3 or more systems you'd
need such a switch (whether it be a stand-alone switch or
integral to a router) or a hub. Routers are for connecting
a LAN to a WAN, you're only dealing with a LAN connection
between the two.
 
Yes you can. You need a crossover cable. I think you can get these at most best
buy and Office depot for sure.
 
You can get by, if you are only joining TWO computers, by buying what's
called a CROSSOVER cable and plugging it into each computers network jack.
 
Dave Smith said:
I hope this question isn't too stupid to answer, but here goes:

Can I connect two computers and share files etc. simply by connecting
their ethernet cards with a length of cable, or do I need a router?

Thanks for any help.
Click to expand...

I have two PCs connected with a crossover cable and, not only can shared
files/folders be accessed in either direction but, using Windows Internet
Connection Sharing, they both use the one broadband connection. When both
are on line neither user is even aware that the other is there, it's that
good.
 
I have two PCs connected with a crossover cable and, not only can shared
files/folders be accessed in either direction but, using Windows Internet
Connection Sharing, they both use the one broadband connection. When both
are on line neither user is even aware that the other is there, it's that
good.
Click to expand...
Thanks very much to everyone who replied.

Buccaneer, so, I can see how if one comp has a wireless connection,
they can share internet across the crossover cable, but how can both
share a broadband connection otherwise? Does one have to have two
ethernet cards?
 
I hope this question isn't too stupid to answer, but here goes:
Thanks very much to everyone who replied.

Buccaneer, so, I can see how if one comp has a wireless connection,
they can share internet across the crossover cable, but how can both
share a broadband connection otherwise? Does one have to have two
ethernet cards?
Click to expand...

Not necessarily. A lot of DSL modems use a USB connection rather than
Ethernet.

CK
 
Thanks very much to everyone who replied.

Buccaneer, so, I can see how if one comp has a wireless connection,
they can share internet across the crossover cable, but how can both
share a broadband connection otherwise? Does one have to have two
ethernet cards?
Click to expand...

I you have a broadband connection then you should get a router. Routers
provide a hardwire firewall in addition to allowing you to attach multiple
machines to your broadband connection. Most routers also have a built in
ethernet switch and for just a few dollars more you can get one that also
has an 802.11b/g connection. A non-wireless router cost < $50, wireless
will add another $20 to the bill.
 
CK said:
Not necessarily. A lot of DSL modems use a USB connection rather than
Ethernet.

CK
Click to expand...

Exactly right. My host machine has a USB ADSL Modem and the client, my
wife's machine, uses the 1mb connection via Internet Connection Sharing. I
believe that the client also has no need for a firewall as it uses the hosts
one, although I prefer the belt and braces method (belt and suspenders if
your in the States) and keep a firewall on both.
 
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