In simple terms we can say networking makes connectivity and sharing easy between two computers. Two or more computers can be connected to each other but ever wondered why do we feel the need of connecting Pc’s? The answer is simple: it’s because when we want to have easy and quick sharing of files and resources or when we want to indulge ourselves in a network game over a weekend and the list of examples goes on.
But the questions that arise are:
1. What are the basic requirements to connect two Pc’s?
2. How to connect them?


Things that you will need:

Network Adapters:
Network adapters are the basic requirements for networking as it provides interface and a network connection.

Ethernet Cross Over Cable:
You can easily purchase cross over cable from any computer hardware store, it is also known as Cat5 Ethernet cable. It connects two computers directly to one another in other words we can say it provides direct connection.

How To Connect Two Pc’s?

Now when you have both the things start connecting both computers together with the Ethernet cross over cable to the Ethernet card in your computers. When you are done connecting two Pc’s using cross over cable, it is time to set up the networking properties on each computer so that they can start communicating with one another.

We will help you understand how to link two Pc’s using Windows VISTA and Windows XP; follow these five basic steps:

Step 1:

Windows XP:
Select ‘Start’
Go to ‘Control Panel’, select ‘Network and Internet Connection’.

Windows VISTA:
Select ‘Start’
Go to ‘Connect to’ then ‘Network Computers and Devices’ and select ‘Network and Sharing Centre’.

Step 2:

Windows XP:
In ‘Network and Internet Connection’ select ‘View Network Connections’ and search ‘Local Area Connection’, its status should be ‘connected’.
Right click ‘Local Area Connection’ and then select ‘Properties’ (a dialogue box will appear).

Windows VISTA:
In ‘Network and Sharing Centre’ select ‘Manage Network Connections’ and search ‘Local Area Connection’, its status should be ‘connected’.
Double click ‘Local Area Connection’, and then select ‘properties’ (a dialogue box will appear).

Step 3:

Windows XP:
In LAN properties dialogue box select ‘Internet Protocol (TCP/IP)’ and press ‘Properties’ (a dialogue box will appear).

Windows VISTA:
In LAN properties dialogue box select ‘(TCP/IPv4)’ and press ‘Properties’ (a dialogue box will appear).

Step 4:

Now in ‘Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) Properties ‘OR’ (TCP/IPv4) Properties’ dialogue box:
Set up IP address on both computers.

For example:
192.168.1.R
(Here R can be any number selected from 1 till 255; it is recommended to use ‘1’and ‘2’ if you are connecting two computers).

Set up the Subnet Mask on both computers.
255.255.255.0
(Subnet Mask is same for both computers).

Step 5:

Press ‘OK’ and you are done with the connection of two computers.

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