USB Crossover Cables

[Mike Reshetar]

I would like to network two computers here. In a straight line they are
about 7 feet apart. I was told I could use a USB crossover cable to
accomplish this. Both computers have net cards, however, in one there are no
open slots to add a second. If I use a cable the total length would probably
be 20 some feet long.

My question(s) are:

Will a crossover cable work?
Is there a limitation on length?

Thank you.

Mike

 

[Den]

Mike

When you say 'Both computers have net cards', I assume that you mean that
both computers have ethernet cards. If this is the case you need a
cross-over cable to connect between the Ethernet ports: this is *not* a USB
cable. You need a RJ45 - RJ45 cross-over (ask your store for a cat 5
crossover cable!)

D

 

[Phil Thompson]

In a straight line they are
about 7 feet apart. I was told I could use a USB crossover cable to
accomplish this. Both computers have net cards,

have net cards ? use ethernet crossover ??

http://www.itreviews.co.uk/hardware/h141.htm
http://www.aten-usa.com/main.php?loc=products&Item_ID=849

suggests there's more to it than conecting two USB ports together,
which makes sense as you need something on there saying "I am a device
and this is what I do" for the computer to respond to.

Phil

 

[Mike Reshetar]

Your right about the cards. However, one of the computers is using the
Ethernet card for the cable modem. I am try to go without a router of any
type. Probably a big mistake on my part.

Thanks for the cable info though, that cleared one question.

Mike

 

[Mike Reshetar]

Thanks Phil. I'll take a longer look at the URL's you provided. The initial
look indicated some of the things I was looking for. I noticed in one of
them they said the cables were 6 feet in length. Do you if the length of
cable is a restriction. I realize that the longer the cable to slower the
transfer rate.

Mike

 

[D.Currie]

There's a definite problem with longer USB cables, and you'll have a hard
time finding them in lengths other than 6 and 10(? i think?) feet. You can
add extensions, but after a certain length -- and it's less than 20 feet --
you'd need a cable with a signal booster or some such thing, and that's
going to be hard to find and expensive, to boot.

If you have a spare USB port, you can get a usb/Ethernet device and you'll
be set to network the 2 computers with Ethernet. In that case, cable length
isn't going to be an issue.

Thanks Phil. I'll take a longer look at the URL's you provided. The initial
look indicated some of the things I was looking for. I noticed in one of
them they said the cables were 6 feet in length. Do you if the length of
cable is a restriction. I realize that the longer the cable to slower the
transfer rate.

Mike

 

[Mike Reshetar]

I have spare USB ports on both machines. From what has been told to me so
far, I am going to have to go with the USB/Ethernet device.

Many thanks.

Mike

There's a definite problem with longer USB cables, and you'll have a hard
time finding them in lengths other than 6 and 10(? i think?) feet. You can
add extensions, but after a certain length -- and it's less than 20 feet --
you'd need a cable with a signal booster or some such thing, and that's
going to be hard to find and expensive, to boot.

If you have a spare USB port, you can get a usb/Ethernet device and you'll
be set to network the 2 computers with Ethernet. In that case, cable length
isn't going to be an issue.

 

[D.Currie]

They're very handy to have, too. You can network a computer without cracking
open the case, which can be a good option.

 

[Mike Reshetar]

The Ethernet Device is the route I am going to take.

Thanks to all who responded.

Mike