FireWire network/LAN ??????

[arfur]

HI

Is it possible to set up a small LAN , 2 computers, for gaming with Firewire technology?
if so, what hardware and software is needed?
I have both Win 2000 Pro and Win 98 SE.

Thanks for any help at all

cheers

Arf

 

[lobadobadingdong]

with just 2 computers you should only need one of these. although there may be a simple cross over cable that can also do the job, but I've never seen one in firewire.

 

[gunrunnerjohn]

I'd seriously recommend you pick up a couple of NICs and a crossover cable. The whole bunch shouldn't cost more than $25-30 on www.pricewatch.com. Networking was made to run over Ethernet, and it's a lot easier to get it running that way. DON'T attempt a direct connection of either USB or Firewire, bad things usually result! You need a special cable with the proper drivers and isolation if you really insist on connecting that way.

 

[cmetz]

arfur, it should be a matter of plugging a cable from one PC to the next, Windows XP comes with simulated Ethernet over 1394 drivers I believe. However, you are best off using 100Mb/s Ethernet and a crossover cable.

 

[arfur]

Thanks for the input chaps,
you're probably right, best to stay with the tried and true.
.....blue.

Cheers
Arf

 

[eelw]

Actually, a firewire peer to peer network is simple and troublefree to setup when using WINXP. I've never tried a firewire network with a WIN98 machine though.

For my 100BaseT network, I usually get a transfer rate around 60-70 Mbps. As a comparison, I get sometimes upto 200Mbps with my firewire network. The only downside with firewire is the cable length limitation.

 

[arfur]

What about Win 2000 Pro?
and what are the issues that make firewire more difficult than conventional network?
I only plan a two computer LAN, vertually next to each other, so that I can Race and dogfight with my kids.

Arf

 

[no0b]

Bump, I'm thinking of setting up a firewire network between my laptop and my com puter I would rather do it with cat 5 but I need to do something differently and I'm too cheap to buy a switch.

On my laptop there is a firewire port thats unusualy small and on my desktop I have the audigy 2 firewire port do I need any special connectors or just a cable to go from my laptop to my desktop?

/edit my firewire connector on my laptop is 4 pin and on my computer(audigy) its 6 pin can I just use a 6pin large connector to a 4 pin small connector cable?

 

[no0b]

Bumpity