How to Link Two Computers Using IP Addresses

There are many ways to link two computers together, in order to transfer data from one to the other. One of the easiest ways, however, is to use a basic Ethernet network, if both computers have network cards installed and configured properly. Learn how to link two computers using IP addresses and a crossover cable, hub or switch.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Two computers with network cards
• An Ethernet crossover cable, hub or switch

1. Obtain a crossover cable, switch or hub. If a crossover cable is used, keep in mind that a crossover cable differs from a standard Ethernet cable, and the two should not be confused. In a crossover cable the transmit and the receive pairs do not run straight through the cable. Instead, the transmit cables are connected to the receive cables, forming a closed loop between the two computers.

2. Plug the crossover cable into the network card on both computers, or use a cable to connect each computer to the hub or switch. Ensure that the “Link” indicators on each network card show a connection.

3. Turn on both computers and boot them into Windows.

4. Click the “Start” button on the first computer, and then select “Control Panel.” Double click the icon named “Network Connections.”

5. Right-click on the icon that represents the wired network adapter, which will usually be labeled as “Local Area Connection.” Select “Properties.”

6. Click on the item labeled “Internet Protocol (TCP/IP),” and press the button labeled “Properties.”

7. Select the option marked “Use the following IP address.” For the IP address enter 192.168.0.1, and for the subnet mask, enter 255.255.255.0. Repeat Steps 2 through 7 on the second computer, but enter 192.168.0.2 for the IP address and 255.255.255.0 for the subnet. Click the “OK” button in that dialog, and the “Local Area Connection Properties” Box to apply the changes on each machine.

8. Double-click the icon labeled "System" in the Control Panel on each computer. Click the tab marked “Computer name.” Press the “Change” button, and enter the same workgroup name on each computer. The name must be no more than 15 characters long. Press the “OK” button, and reboot both machines. The two machines should now be linked to each other, as long as the IP addresses are correct, and you should be able to transfer files between them.

Tips & Warnings

• A router may also be used to connect the computers, but the router may need its setting changed as well, in order to work with both computers correctly.

[Jantu]

on 9/24/2008 Well, David, I used your instructions above and lost the internet for 5 days while I waited for my ISP to come to the rescue. The problem is with the addresses. Firstly you should suggest that the reader check all his current LAN connections and note the addresses already in use. Don't use that address. You will not have to add an address to main computer, only to the joined computer. If the ISP address is 192.168.0.1 (mine was 192.168.1.1 and a 0 would not work)then the address on the other computer can be 192.168.0 (or 1). 2 or 3 or 4 etc. up to 8. Voila, you are in business. Jantu