Networking computers

DJ_Izumi · Post by **DJ_Izumi** » Mon Jan 12, 2004 7:41 pm

Crossover cables, the coolest thing you can make using only a steak knife and masking tape.

Corran · Post by **Corran** » Mon Jan 12, 2004 8:00 pm

I'm sure it looks weird...

I imagine there would be crosstalk, reflection, and loss doing it that way too

Though I doubt you would really notice it much on a short cable.

madbunny · Post by **madbunny** » Thu Feb 05, 2004 1:19 am

Thre other options:

1) You could go OLD school and get a null modem cable. Then you just run a cable from one computer to another (the printer ports if I remember correctly) get some free software and you are on your way, for about 5 bucks. It's slow as hell though.

2) You can do the same thing with USB ports, get kit and there you go.

3) Lots and lots of floppy disks.

Realisticly, just go get a 4 port router, it'll act like a firewall for a cable or dsl modem, and you can hook up extra stuff, like other peoples computers for a lan party. You can even get wireless versions for not too much more these days, and skip most of the wires.

godix · Post by **godix** » Thu Feb 05, 2004 2:17 am

Incidently, one aspect I notice no one else touched on, check with your internet provider to make sure two computers are allowed on the internet. Some companies falt out deny it, others charge more for it, and some don't care either way. If it's one of the first two then use klinkys method and a proxy software (so the ISP won't detect two different IPs accessing the internet) and if it's the later then stick with a hub, a router is serious overkill for two computers and klinkys method works but can get a bit confusing if you have problems remembering which network connection leads to the other computer and which leads to the cable modem.

If I lost you with some of these terms I recommend <a href="http://computer.howstuffworks.com/home- ... ffworks</a>. That should give you a decent overview of what we're talking about without throwing a bunch of useless (from a practical standpoint) info about collision detection, packets, etc.

On a totally unrelated note, my wife just walked in and is now pestering me to use the emoticons despite the fact she knows I hate them. So please ignore the following, it's just here to get her to shut up.

*insert emoticon of man stabing his wife*