Question - Connecting Laptop to Desktop

[KarsinTheHutt]

Both my systems are equiped with NICs. Can I simply connnect them with a standard Ethernet cable?

 

[Biggs]

Yes but you have to use a cross cable.

 

[KarsinTheHutt]

What's the difference btween a patch cable and a cross cable?

 

[Rio Rebel]

Check out the networking forum for some good in-depth info.

A cross-over cable, like the name implies, crosses some of the wires inside the cable. It allows two NICs to communicate with each other without a hub or switch.

You can always get a hub or switch, and use a patch cable. If you connect 3 or more, you'll have to use one. But two computers can be connected using the cross-over.