I'm very new to networking...I have two computers and...

[rgf]

Both of my computers are running Windows 98. I just installed two Dlink 10/100 nic cards. Is it possible to get them connected with a single fastcat 5e cable? Will it work or do I need a hub? Thanks

rgf

 

[obenton]

Either a hub or a "crossover" cable. You'll find instructions at www.homepclan.com along with links to other good networking sites.

 

[rgf]

Thanks I will take a look.

rgf

 

[coopa]

i thought that a list of good sites are:

http://www.homepclan.com/index.htm
http://www.practicallynetworked.com/
http://coverage.cnet.com/Content/Features/Howto/HomeLAN/index.html

also- if you havent baught the cabble yet, and you want something cheap go for the crossover cable. if you want some thing easy and better but way more expensive go for a cable router like the Linksys BEFSR41 4-Port Etherfast Cable/DSL Router. for around $100 and also you must get the cables. (2) another advantage of this is that the router also is a firewall.

 

[BCYL]

coopa:

He never said he is trying to share a broadband connection... If he is not sharing a cable/DSL connection there's no reason for him to spend the money and get a router...

 

[rgf]

No, I won't be getting cable for a long while. My cable service only has download cable service and upload via analog modem. They told me it won't be until next December until they have two way cable modem service. I thought it would be a good idea to install a Dlink 10/100 nic card. It was really cheap! I went to CompUSA and bought 2 Dlink 10/100 pci cards at $9.99/card. The manager had to honor the sales tag. They were getting ready for next weekend one week too early. The manager said that he had missed a tag, but he said he would sell them at the price on the sales tag. What a deal!

rgf

They were originally $29.99 each. Sales tage $19.99 - $10.00 discount = $9.99 each

 

[coopa]

Sorry, my bad, should not have guessed.

that is a good deal on the nic's though.

 

[AL77]

rgf, yes check out those sites, you will definitely get some insight into networking. I agree with the others: Cat 5(e) Crossover cable for a peer to peer or PC to PC connection (e.g. brand: Belkin, you can find it in almost any computer store). With only two computers in a network, the hub will add absolutely no functionality.

The 'crossover cable method' is by far the easiest and cheapest method of connecting two computers. If you decide that you want to add more computers to the network in the future, then you can go with either a switch (a "smart" hub if you will, doesn't have the redundancy), or a router with switched ports.

Just FYI, I used a crossover cable to connect two PCs earlier this year (one computer is a host in a software internet connection sharing setup, so there is a lot of data/packets always passing between the two systems), and the system could be on for days with hundreds of thousands of data packets sent back and forth between the two with hardly ever any data errors. I might see maybe, and I stress maybe, a miniscule 1 or 2 data errors in a time-span of a few days, but one of the systems is really slow for gaming (PPro 200) so the error could have been caused by a lack of processor power in intense gaming situations, but, with this conjecture, the same thing would happen with a hub. Either way, the error rate is completely insignificant.

So the crossover method is very reliable IMO, just get a name-brand crossover cable, I used Belkin. The reason I'm going on and on about this is because one website, http://www.homepclan.com mentioned by someone already (otherwise good, just have a problem with one point they make), claims the crossover method is unreliable.

Quote from their site: "Many first timers feel the need to build their network without the use of a hub and use a crossover cable instead. I do not recommend building your network this way. Often times the use of a crossover cable will result in data errors, loss of connectivity, or the network may not work at all"

I don't know where they are getting their data from, it doesn't seem accurate based on my experience. The crossover method is fine and has worked perfectly for me. The PCs I've set up have been running fine for 6+ months. Either way, if you choose otherwise, don't get a hub, get a switch.

Regards,
Al

Edit: minor details added

 

[AL77]

First double post

 

[Inosuke]

Question is do you want to know more about networking?

If so get the hub, or a switch, or a router and have fun.
If you just want connectivity, then do crossover.

My 2 cents,

Inosuke