quickest and chepaest to connect 2 computers

[alm4rr]

Hi

I wannt to connect a laptop with a desktop and wondering whats the easiest, cheapest, and fastest method.... Would it be to wire the computers together with cat cable (with the ends all changed up to allow direct plugging)? Or is USB just as good for XP machines....

Any tips are appreciated
Thx

 

[Wizkid]

Just buy a crossover cable and network them. This will work well and is very versatile.

 

[JackMDS]

May be this can Help.

Link to: How I connect two computers to exchange files (No Network or Internet Sharing)?

:sun:

 

[alm4rr]

Thx for link and the name of the cable!
cheers
:beer:

ill prob get this cable!

 

[WPFossil]

Yes, crossover cable is definitely the way to go.

 

[cbehnken]

may not even need a crossover cable. Many modern network cards will automatically detect when you connect two devices together with a straight through cable and will flip the appropriate wires internally.

 

[erwos]

"may not even need a crossover cable. Many modern network cards will automatically detect when you connect two devices together with a straight through cable and will flip the appropriate wires internally."

This is referred to as auto-MDI/MDI-X, I believe. If both computers happen to have gigabit ethernet, they should be fine with any sort of cable. If not, well, it's not like a $6 crossover cable is going to break anyone's bank.

-Erwos

 

[alm4rr]

ah k

New question:
hernet cab
Could I use a hub to branch 2 computers off my cable modem or would I have to get a router?
If it's just a hub, would I still be able to network the 2 computers (with regular ethernet cable all around)?
:thumbsup:
thx

 

[JackMDS]

Link to: AnandTech - FAQ. Basic Options for Internet Connection Sharing

Link to: AnandTech - FAQ. Hubs, routers, switches, DSL, LANs, WANs...?

Link to: AnandTech - FAQ. What do I need for wireless Networking?

The pages above were written by me a while ago. Ignore the prices and the Hardware recommendations, stick to the principles.

Link to: Diagram of Broadband Connection with Cable/DSL Router.

Log to this page it has a lot of links to instructions to Windows Network Settings, and Sharing.

Link to: Windows Network - Installing & Sharing.

:sun:

 

[alm4rr]

thx