How to Network With Cross Over Cables

Setting up a network using crossover cables isn't complicated.

A home network is a task the novice network administrator can take on with little previous experience. A really simple network connection can be created using crossover cables, a host computer and an additional guest computer. This type of simple network will enable users to share documents, music, videos, printers, photos and Internet access, and even expand the hard drive capacity of a single computer. The example below will assume each computer is using the Windows Vista Operating system and is not sharing an Internet connection.

Things You'll Need

• Computers, 2
• Network cards, 2
• Crossover cable, 1

Instructions

Preparation

1. Install the network cards into each computer. Designate one computer the "Host."

2. Plug in the cat5 RJ45 plugs of the crossover cable into a network card on each of the computers.

3. Turn on each computer. A green light should be visible on each network card. Wait for the computers to continue the login process and the desktop is visible before continuing.

Network Configuration Part I

1. Click Start, Control Panel, Network Connections on the "Host" computer and the available network connections will display.

2. Select the Network Connection for the host computer (It may be something like Local Area Connection 1, 2, 3), right click and select Properties. The "Local Area Connection Properties" dialog box will display.

3. Click "Internet Protocol Version 4 TCP/IPv4" in the display box to highlight it and then press the Properties button. The Internet Protocol Version 4 Properties dialog box will display.

4. Enter the following information in the designated positions. IP Address: 192.168.1.3, subnet mask assignment: 255.255.255.0, and Default Gateway: 192.168.1.1.

5. Click "Use the following DNS server Addresses," and type the following for "Preferred DNS Server:" 192.168.1.1. Then click "OK" and "OK" to save and finish.

Network Configuration Part II

1. Click Start, Control Panel, Network Connections on the "Guest" computer and the available network connections will display.

2. Select the Network Connection for the "Guest" computer (It may be something like Local Area Connection 1, 2, 3), right click and select Properties. The "Local Area Connection Properties" dialog box will display.

3. Click "Internet Protocol Version 4 TCP/IPv4" in the display box to highlight it and then press the Properties button. The Internet Protocol Version 4 Properties dialog box will display.

4. Enter the following information in the designated positions. 192.168.1.4, subnet mask assignment: 255.255.255.0, and Default Gateway: 192.168.1.3.

5. Click "Use the following DNS server Addresses," and type the following for "Preferred DNS Server:" 192.168.1.3. Then click "OK" and "OK" to save and finish.

Testing

1. Click "Start" on the "Host" computer and type "cmd" in the search box. The cmd dialog box will display.

2. Type "ping 192.168.1.4" and wait for a reply. If a reply is received, then the network has been successfully set up and running. If no reply is received, check the cables and then check the IP settings to make sure the correct information was entered.

3. Repeat Step 2 above on the "Guest" computer, but type "ping 192.168.3.

References

• "Hardware Secrets.com": How to Build a Network Using a Cross-Over Cable
• "Windows Reinstall.com": Windows Networking -- Setup Direct Connection Network
• "Windows Tutorials -- Herong's Tutorial Notes": Crossover Cable Networks