Simple Home Network using two NICs and no hub

[Bestill]

Is it possible? No hub. Just a NIC in each comp and a cat-5 cable. If possible, can someone point me in the direction of more information? Thanks.

 

[Sukhoi]

You just need a crossover cable.

 

[Bestill]

I'm new to networking. What is a crossover cable? Can I just use two NICs, one cat-5, and software?

 

[Poof]

No.

The straight through wires will end up being XMIT (NIC 1) -> XMIT (NIC 2) rather than XMIT (NIC1) -> RCV (NIC2) and vice versa.

Go to ebay or even FS/T here and see if you can find one for like $5 - $10 then! 😛

 

[Quad]

go to your local comp shop. pick up a crossover cable (aka "cross-wired cable&quot😉

connect both computers directly (nic to nic) using the crossover cable

should work fine

 

[JackMDS]

Straight, and Crossover are two methods of connecting the pins on RJ-45 plugs that attached to a Cat5 Network Cable.

There is no advantage or disadvantage (or the best) it must be connected right or the Network will not work.

The Rules of Connections for Hub, and or Switch are the same:

NIC to NIC - Crossover Cable.
NIC to Hub - Straight (regular) Cable
NIC to Uplink - Crossover Cable.

Hub (regular) to Hub (regular) - Crossover Cable.
Hub (regular) to Hub Uplink - Straight (regular) Cable.
Hub Uplink to Hub Uplink - Crossover Cable
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Cable/DSL entry on a Cable/DSL Router (WAN) is an Uplink connection.
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If your Modem came with Straight Cable:
Modem to NIC - Straight (regular) Cable
Modem to Hub - Crossover Cable.
Modem to Uplink - Straight (regular)Cable.

If your Modem Came with Crossover Cable:
Modem to NIC - Crossover Cable.
Modem to Hub - Straight (regular) Cable.
Modem to Uplink - Crossover Cable.

Unfortunately, there is no standard in Cable/Modem units, so the connection depends on how the manufacturer wired them.