Questions about crossover cables

[etalns]

Hi; I'm currently going on vacation adn me and a friend of mine are planning to hook our computers up while we are there, I Was wondering if it is possible for us to basically set up a lan using a cross-over cable and play lan games of halflife etc as we will have no connection to teh internet. Also, is it possible for me to do file transfer through the crossover cable?

 

[inqztive]

The easient way to set up a LAN is using a HUB. But if you don't want to spend on a HUB you can use cross over cable. the limitation is you can connect only two computers and no internet connection unless you have more than 2 LAN ports on one of the computers.

 

[WebDude]

You shouldn't have any problem. Windows allows networking through the serial or parallel port with a cross-over cable. The exact steps necessary to enable it will depend on the version of windows you're running. Once networked you can do anything you would normally do in a network setting (transfer files, etc.).

WebDude

 

[etalns]

It wont be connected to the internet, just the two computers between each other. I also have a hub so I can use that if need be,. but do I just set the workgroup teh same between the two computers and basically set it up lik ea normal lan?

 

[John]

Yes, all you need is a xover cable and then configure the lappys to see each other.

 

[inqztive]

Yeah, just set it like normal LAN and configure both the computers as part of same workgroup (the name of the workgroup would have to be the same). I don't think you would like to use a serial or parallel (900kbps) port connection because they would be really slow compared to a LAN (10/100 MBPS) port.

 

[Woodchuck2000]

<< The easient way to set up a LAN is using a HUB >>


Not really - Just plug a crossover cable in at both ends and go... It has limitations, but for 2 PCs and sheer ease of use, you cant beat a crossover.



<< Windows allows networking through the serial or parallel port with a cross-over cable >>


No it doesn - you must use "Direct Cable Connection" and a null modem or parallel cable to use the serial or parallel port. And then any games have to specifically support Direct Cable Connections (older games do, newer ones dont) You can do file transfers, but they are painfully slow.



<< It wont be connected to the internet, just the two computers between each other. I also have a hub so I can use that if need be,. but do I just set the workgroup teh same between the two computers and basically set it up lik ea normal lan? >>


Exactly - If all you need is communication between 2 PCs, then a crossover cable is ideal. It's networking as usual - have fun and enjoy your holiday