Networking info?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Mark
  • Start date Start date
M

Mark

Am familiar with physical differences between serial,
parallel, Cat5 cables but when using network setup wizards
it's not clear what cable the wizard is referring to and
when to use each. Am working on two projects:
1. Transferring files from Wme to Wxp machine. Currently
using onboard NIC on both PC's and CAT5E crossover cable.
Does DirectConnection option with serial or parallel cable
do the same thing?
2. Have had fewer internet spyware, etc, problems with Wme
PC than the Wxp PC (has firewalls /spy removal software).
Wish to use Wme PC to access internet then connect Wxp PC
to the Wme machine with networking. Will the CAT 5E
crossover cable do this or do I need a different cable to
network the 2 PC's?
Looking for good websites that explain network from an "if
you want to do this, then do that" perspective, without
too much theory. Any help?
Thanks
 
OK. One can network [or connect] two PC in many ways: here's a quick list
based upon a chronological sequence.

1. Serial Port
2. Parallel Port
3. Ethernet Port
4. Infra Red Port
5. USB Port
6. Wireless Adapter

As for speed one reads high to low:

3, 6, 1, 5, 4, 2 [there'll be some argument, but this is based on the faster
methods now available].

Use whatever of these you have, because it's going to be cheaper than buying
new products and given that most Desktops have an Ethernet Adapter [Network
interface Card - NIC] and that the cables are cheaper than any other, I'd
shoot down that road. The 'crossover' cable is needed for PC to PC, Straight
Through is for connetion to Hub / Switch.

Prior to the widespread use of NICs [when they cost $100] one would buy
'Laplink' software and Serial to Serial or Parallel to Parralel cables for
this purpose: XP offers the cable connectivity and includes the software
that one used to pay for.

PC to PC direct and not by way of Hub / Switch / Router is pretty much the
same. Microsoft calls Serial or Parallel cable connection 'Direct Cable
Connect' as the NIC imposes other capabilities and one uses TCP/IP for the
communication protocol. Physically they all look the same.

Today the essence of home networking is 2 or more PCs connected via CAT5
ethernet cable, where there are more then one can use a Hub or Switch to join
them all. TCP/IP takes care of the information being identified by the PC as
'that's mine' even though all the PCs 'see' the data flying around. So
basically one PC requests data and another sends it.

This serves well when extending outside the home network to the Internet for
Email or Browsing. XP has excellent Internet Connection Sharing - not
provided for without 3rd party applications previously [OK Me did have it but
it really wasn't that successful] and one uses cable modems or ADSL to get
better performance.

Both the 'braodband' modems can connect through the Hub / Switch using
ethernet or into the 'gateway' PC via a USB port. Again, ethernet is faster
in a LAN environment however the Ineternet Connection speed is slower than
Ethernet or USB capabilities and you don't loose. Just choose which one out
of convienience rather than anything else. In fact most Broadband modems
offer both connections.

The 'nice' thing is that the USB cables are more flexible and can be tidier
around your desktop.
 
Hi.
This might help with Direct Connect: http://www.ezlan.net/direct.html
As far as Sharing Internet connection:
Basic Options for Internet Connection Sharing -
http://www.anandtech.com/guides/viewfaq.html?i=105
Hubs, routers, switches, DSL, LANs, WANs...? -
http://www.anandtech.com/guides/viewfaq.html?i=48
The page above was written by me ages ago. You might ignore the prices and
Brand recommendations. The principles however are still the same.
Connection Diagram: http://www.ezlan.net/~network/router.jpg

Authentication: http://www.ezlan.net/broadband.html

Jack (MVP-Networking).



BAR said:
OK. One can network [or connect] two PC in many ways: here's a quick list
based upon a chronological sequence.

1. Serial Port
2. Parallel Port
3. Ethernet Port
4. Infra Red Port
5. USB Port
6. Wireless Adapter

As for speed one reads high to low:

3, 6, 1, 5, 4, 2 [there'll be some argument, but this is based on the faster
methods now available].

Use whatever of these you have, because it's going to be cheaper than buying
new products and given that most Desktops have an Ethernet Adapter [Network
interface Card - NIC] and that the cables are cheaper than any other, I'd
shoot down that road. The 'crossover' cable is needed for PC to PC, Straight
Through is for connetion to Hub / Switch.

Prior to the widespread use of NICs [when they cost $100] one would buy
'Laplink' software and Serial to Serial or Parallel to Parralel cables for
this purpose: XP offers the cable connectivity and includes the software
that one used to pay for.

PC to PC direct and not by way of Hub / Switch / Router is pretty much the
same. Microsoft calls Serial or Parallel cable connection 'Direct Cable
Connect' as the NIC imposes other capabilities and one uses TCP/IP for the
communication protocol. Physically they all look the same.

Today the essence of home networking is 2 or more PCs connected via CAT5
ethernet cable, where there are more then one can use a Hub or Switch to join
them all. TCP/IP takes care of the information being identified by the PC as
'that's mine' even though all the PCs 'see' the data flying around. So
basically one PC requests data and another sends it.

This serves well when extending outside the home network to the Internet for
Email or Browsing. XP has excellent Internet Connection Sharing - not
provided for without 3rd party applications previously [OK Me did have it but
it really wasn't that successful] and one uses cable modems or ADSL to get
better performance.

Both the 'braodband' modems can connect through the Hub / Switch using
ethernet or into the 'gateway' PC via a USB port. Again, ethernet is faster
in a LAN environment however the Ineternet Connection speed is slower than
Ethernet or USB capabilities and you don't loose. Just choose which one out
of convienience rather than anything else. In fact most Broadband modems
offer both connections.

The 'nice' thing is that the USB cables are more flexible and can be tidier
around your desktop.






Mark said:
Am familiar with physical differences between serial,
parallel, Cat5 cables but when using network setup wizards
it's not clear what cable the wizard is referring to and
when to use each. Am working on two projects:
1. Transferring files from Wme to Wxp machine. Currently
using onboard NIC on both PC's and CAT5E crossover cable.
Does DirectConnection option with serial or parallel cable
do the same thing?
2. Have had fewer internet spyware, etc, problems with Wme
PC than the Wxp PC (has firewalls /spy removal software).
Wish to use Wme PC to access internet then connect Wxp PC
to the Wme machine with networking. Will the CAT 5E
crossover cable do this or do I need a different cable to
network the 2 PC's?
Looking for good websites that explain network from an "if
you want to do this, then do that" perspective, without
too much theory. Any help?
Thanks
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