Setting up a LAN

[Ijineda]

My mate and I want to set up a small LAN consisting of only 2 computers; we both have XP Home, a network interface card, but NO idea how to set up this thing. Can anyone tell me what I need (switch? hub?) and how it works?

Thank you!

[ctjoyce]

Well if you have a multiple port router, you both just plug into that, and game. Also if its just the two of you, you should be able to plug directly into each others systems.

Cheers
Cameron

[Brett_Henderson]

The quickest, easiest way to get two computers talking and sharing is with a CAT5 cross-over cable (not a regular cable used with hubs/routers)..

Just connect the two directly (card to card (or onboard LAN)) and run the networking wizzard on both. It's pretty simple.

Allow file and printer sharing when you set it up.. and then later you can litterally share both computers entirely. By default.. "Shared Documents" is the only folder that's shared.. but you can open up anything you want. Right-click on any drive or folder.. take properties and look at the "Sharing" tab..  There's a heirarchy involved (you can't share a folder that's inside an un-shared folder or on an unshared drive/partition).

Since only people I know are near my computers.. I just open everything up. If you're on one computer and remember a specific file you need on the other.. Just navigate to it like you would if you were sitting AT that computer.

Sharing the internet connection is easy too.

[Tom.]

Guide there on how to make them http://www.makeitsimple.com/how-to/dyi_crossover.htm

[Brett_Henderson]

You can do that  ^^  if need be .. Like if you need a long, or custom length cable.. but ready-made cables are out there and you can string them together using cheap, male-male connectors.

If it's going to be a long, complex connection (around / through walls or on different floors).. You might wanna just get an inexpensive, wireless router..

[Ijineda]

Ok, thanks for the replies! Furtunately, my girlfriend has a router that she doesnt need  :D so we

[ctjoyce]

Yes their is. On most routers there is one jack for the internet connection, and then about 4 others for people to set up a network.

Cheers
Cameron

[Ijineda]

I put in the internet connection to the jack named "WAN", then there are 4 ports left...so I get one and my mate the other. nothing happens...  ??? and the internet connection is gone. heeelp!