Connecting two computers to each other (non-networked)

[Draw]

Hi,

I wanted to know if I could hook up two PCs running Linux. What I want
to do is, PC-A is supposed to work as a full fledged general purpose
computer, and the other, PC-B, is supposed to work as a peripheral of
PC-A. I am thinking I will be using a USB connector to do this. First
of all, is this possible, if yes, would I have to know something about
the two computers in terms of possible compatibility issues
etc..Limitations, in terms of what purpose PC-B could serve as
peripheral of PC-A.
I look at it, in this case, as a two link daisy chain. Please let me
know what you think. Is there also some place where I could find
specific technical information about how to do this?

Appreciate all the help. Thanks.

Draw

 

[Noozer]

Hi,

I wanted to know if I could hook up two PCs running Linux. What I want
to do is, PC-A is supposed to work as a full fledged general purpose
computer, and the other, PC-B, is supposed to work as a peripheral of
PC-A. I am thinking I will be using a USB connector to do this.

Why USB? Just find a piece of string and tie each end to a computer... That
will connect them fine.

Now, if you DID want to use networking, then you should look into beowulf
(sp?) clusters.

 

[Paul]

Hi,

I wanted to know if I could hook up two PCs running Linux. What I want
to do is, PC-A is supposed to work as a full fledged general purpose
computer, and the other, PC-B, is supposed to work as a peripheral of
PC-A. I am thinking I will be using a USB connector to do this. First
of all, is this possible, if yes, would I have to know something about
the two computers in terms of possible compatibility issues
etc..Limitations, in terms of what purpose PC-B could serve as
peripheral of PC-A.
I look at it, in this case, as a two link daisy chain. Please let me
know what you think. Is there also some place where I could find
specific technical information about how to do this?

Appreciate all the help. Thanks.

Draw

I think in standard terminology, you are looking at a client/server
relationship between the two machines, and some sort of networking
standard.

It is possible to network with many things. I have seen a USB box
with at least two ports on it, and it supports networking. (There
is a special chip in that box, and you cannot just arbitrarily do
that with USB.)

You can also network with Firewire ports. And good ole Ethernet is
a pretty standard way to do it too.

If you wish to expand the number of PCI cards in a system, there
are expansion boxes like this. There is a PCI bridge card installed
at each end of the cable, and that is how your PC and the expansion
chassis get connected together. The penalty with a scheme like
this, is increased "first cycle latency" though the cable and
adapters.

http://www.mobl.com/expansion/products/pci_expansion/7slot6466/index.html

But lobotimizing one machine and slaving it to another, is not
really part of the PC architecture.

Paul

 

[Draw]

Its networking yees, in a way, but I want one to act as a peripheral of
the other, now, thats different from a client server relationship in a
networking concept right?

Thanks, Draw

 

[Noozer]

Its networking yees, in a way, but I want one to act as a peripheral of
the other, now, thats different from a client server relationship in a
networking concept right?

Not really... I guess you could create your own connection and driver
software etc. but it would be kind of dumb considering that the networking
is already available.

 

[Grinder]

Its networking yees, in a way, but I want one to act as a peripheral of
the other, now, thats different from a client server relationship in a
networking concept right?

What, specifically, are you hoping to do by connecting these machines?

 

[DaveW]

Sorry, but your idea is not well thought out. What do you mean that you
want one computer to be a peripheral of the other??? You can network them,
but that is the extent of your options.

 

[kony]

Why USB? Just find a piece of string and tie each end to a computer... That
will connect them fine.

LOL. Duct tape would look more ghetto.

 

[kony]

Its networking yees, in a way, but I want one to act as a peripheral of
the other, now, thats different from a client server relationship in a
networking concept right?

Thanks, Draw

I could be polite, but it would only be a disservice rather
than getting straight to the point.

It doesn't matter what you'd like to do, because that's not
how systems are designed to work.

Two hosts connect by networking, the only question is what
interface you'd use to network them. Ironically enough,
people have thunk on this in the past and voila, we have
network cards for the purpose. They are mission specific to
do this thing computers can do, the best way possible they
are designed for this sole purpose. Get a couple if your
boards don't have integrated network adapters.

 

[Ken Maltby]

Hi,

I wanted to know if I could hook up two PCs running Linux. What I want
to do is, PC-A is supposed to work as a full fledged general purpose
computer, and the other, PC-B, is supposed to work as a peripheral of
PC-A. I am thinking I will be using a USB connector to do this. First
of all, is this possible, if yes, would I have to know something about
the two computers in terms of possible compatibility issues
etc..Limitations, in terms of what purpose PC-B could serve as
peripheral of PC-A.
I look at it, in this case, as a two link daisy chain. Please let me
know what you think. Is there also some place where I could find
specific technical information about how to do this?

Appreciate all the help. Thanks.

Draw

However you have them communicate, any functions performed at
either computer will require and depend on the software on that
machine. If you intend to try distributed processing ( an encoding
/rendering "farm" perhaps) you would have to work out a number
of critical timing factors and it would make much more sense to do
this using an established structure with all the needed features - A
network or LAN. It has become child's play to setup a Gigabit
LAN.

If you just want to control two computers from one point, a KVM
setup might be all you need.

Luck;
Ken