Basic Network Question.
Discussion
Please can you help me?
I have a desktop PC and a laptop PC. What is the simplest way to network (not wirelessly) the two together for file and printer sharing?
I was amazed when I asked this question in PC World and they struggled to even understand my question, let alone come up with a solution.
Any info on the hardware/cables required and rough prices would be very much appreciated.
Thanks
I have a desktop PC and a laptop PC. What is the simplest way to network (not wirelessly) the two together for file and printer sharing?
I was amazed when I asked this question in PC World and they struggled to even understand my question, let alone come up with a solution.
Any info on the hardware/cables required and rough prices would be very much appreciated.
Thanks
Plotloss said:
You need a network card in each machine and a crossover network cable between the two.
Cards should be no more than a tenner each, cable less than a quid.
Cards should be no more than a tenner each, cable less than a quid.
Thanks Plotloss, I was just about to edit my post to say that both machines had an ethernet adapter installed.
Is it as simple as connecting the two with an ethernet cable and running the network wizard on winXP? (sorry for my ignorance but I am very slowly learning about these things)
Plotloss said:
It needs to be a crossover cable.
After that its a case of allocating each a unique ip address and you're pretty much away.
After that its a case of allocating each a unique ip address and you're pretty much away.
Depends, if they both have gige adaptors (if they're both newish machines then they should have!) then a straight ethernet cable will do the trick, if they are 100mbs then you'll need a crossover cable, then and as plotloss says, assign each an ip address from the same subnet and you should be good to go!
Matt
An upgrade from that is to buy a small "switch" (four port, say) and two network cables. Cables go from PC to "switch" (or "hub"
. If you have broadband you should consider buying a "modem/router" which will have a Broadband "modem" and four port "switch" built into a single box. It will also handle dishing out IP addresses automatically for you. This may also present an advantage as many modern printers can now be connected directly to a "switch". This is good as you do not need the PC the printer would otherwise be connected to to be switched on to access it.
All of the above options more expensive than the crossover cable mentioned below - but present advantages you may want...
. If you have broadband you should consider buying a "modem/router" which will have a Broadband "modem" and four port "switch" built into a single box. It will also handle dishing out IP addresses automatically for you. This may also present an advantage as many modern printers can now be connected directly to a "switch". This is good as you do not need the PC the printer would otherwise be connected to to be switched on to access it. All of the above options more expensive than the crossover cable mentioned below - but present advantages you may want...
MooSchmoo said:
Plotloss said:
It needs to be a crossover cable.
After that its a case of allocating each a unique ip address and you're pretty much away.
After that its a case of allocating each a unique ip address and you're pretty much away.
Depends, if they both have gige adaptors (if they're both newish machines then they should have!) then a straight ethernet cable will do the trick,
Matt
Well you learn something new everyday, so how come no need for a crossover with gb ports?
tuffer said:
MooSchmoo said:
Plotloss said:
It needs to be a crossover cable.
After that its a case of allocating each a unique ip address and you're pretty much away.
After that its a case of allocating each a unique ip address and you're pretty much away.
Depends, if they both have gige adaptors (if they're both newish machines then they should have!) then a straight ethernet cable will do the trick,
Matt
Well you learn something new everyday, so how come no need for a crossover with gb ports?
Depends if they're auto MDI/X or not... Not all chipsets are autosensing.
zumbruk said:
Don said:
An upgrade from that is to buy a small "switch" (four port, say) and two network cables. Cables go from PC to "switch" (or "hub"
Fine point: A switch and a hub are different things.
Even finer point: I take it when you say switch you're actually referring to a high speed switching bridge there. Cut through or store and forward, layer 2, 3 or 4?
BliarOut said:
zumbruk said:
Don said:
An upgrade from that is to buy a small "switch" (four port, say) and two network cables. Cables go from PC to "switch" (or "hub"
Fine point: A switch and a hub are different things.
Even finer point: I take it when you say switch you're actually referring to a high speed switching bridge there. Cut through or store and forward, layer 2, 3 or 4?
Well, quite, but if one teaches the noobs the wrong terminology in the beginning, it makes it *really* hard to answer their questions when it doesn't work. The meaning of the word "router" is already becoming confused by the marketing twonks.
Don said:
zumbruk said:
Don said:
An upgrade from that is to buy a small "switch" (four port, say) and two network cables. Cables go from PC to "switch" (or "hub"
Fine point: A switch and a hub are different things.
I know. But for the purposes...
Lets not even get started on proper use of quotation marks then
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