how do i set up a network between two computers without a router or hub?

Question

i have a dell with xp and a gateway with ME and i want to just run an ethernet cable or sumthin like that can anyone tell me the networking for dummies version

i need a little more detail on the how thanks for the what though

Answer 1

First, you'll probably have to get rid of ME. Millenium Edition was a blunder (IMNSHO) by microsoft and doesn't do many of the things 98SE and XP can do. But you can give it a try:

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/networking/expert/crawford_02july01.mspx

Answer 2

You're best off using a router - it solves several problems, such as assigning IP addresses, and dealing with the cable type.

In order to directly connect two computers with an ethernet cable, you need a so-called "Null hub" cable - basically it's a cable with two of the wires crossed over from what you'd usually use to connect to a hub or a switch.

You'll also have to configure IP addresses for the two computers. Windows XP will assign an automatic IP address (looks like 169.254.x.y, where x and y are two numbers which vary from computer to computer). I'm not sure Windows ME has this feature. Your best bet is to assign static IP addresses to both computers (e.g., 192.168.1.1 and 192.168.1.2).

A router will have DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol) build into it - which is just a fancy way of saying that it can automatically assign IP addresses to your computer. This would save you the manual configuration and also give you the ability to share an Internet connection easily between the two computers.

(Note that switches and hubs do not have DHCP servers on them)

Answer 3

Just get a "crossover" Ethernet cable to connect the two together. Both ME and XP support APIPA so you don't need to configure IP addresses or anything like that. Make sure that the workgroup name is the same for both machines and that they have unique names.

Answer 4

I'd seriously get a router. It is so much less hassle to configure, and the crossover cable people have been mentioning will cost as much as a cheap router (if you know where to go) and two standard Ethernet cables.

Answer 5

1. Need to Have NIC Card on Both Machines, Install the valid Drivers for those NIC Cards
2. Connect Cross Cable to each other
3. Assign a Valid same range Ip address to each one
it can be (192.168.0.1 for PC1, 192.168.0.2 for PC 2)
then open command prompt ping 192.168.0.1 or the IP address of the other machines if you are getting reply then you are connected

Njoy
Mahesh G

Answer 6

It's really easy, You DON'T need any Router or Hub.

First buy a crossover cable. And ensure your both PC has one LAN Card.

Now plug the crossover cable to the LAN (RJ45) socket of your both PC.

Go to the properties of "My Networking Places"
Right Click on the dial up that you use to connect to the Internet, go to properties, go to Advance tab, Click on sharing, press OK.
It will ask you that the LAN IP Address will be 192.168.0.1 after sharing, click on Yes.

Now go to the second PC go to the properties of "My Networking Places". right click on Local Area Connection click on properties, there you can find "Internet Protocol(TCP/IP)"-- Double click on it , Assign IP address= 192.168.0.2
Subnet Mask=255.255.255.0
Gateway=192.168.0.1
DNS=192.168.0.1

Now come to your First PC connect to the Internet through the Dial up and you are done.

If you need to share files too, then go to my computer, Right click on that drive you want to share, click on "sharing and security"
you can give the permission to change files or not there.
View the shared Drive from My networking places by double clicking on it, there you can find on Left side "view workgroup computers" click on it. It will show you your both computers.