crossover network doesn't work

[Adrian]

Hi,

I got two computer, one is using Windows 2000, then other is WinXP, both
using Netgear FA311 network card. And I just bought a cat 5 cable. When I
tried to connect two computers directly using a single cable without any
switch or hub in between, they can't be connected, and I checked the network
connection, it said the network cable is unplugged. I have check the
hardware, there's no problem with the connection.
Other information may be helpful: 1) WinXP is the one connected to the
internet with a cable modem. 2) All the gateway, ip address and subnet had
been setted correctly. 3) I tried to ping the loop back address, there's is
response, so there's no problem with my network card. 4) I tried the cable
with my friend's network, it worked fine with the single cable and no
switch. So what should I do? Thanks in advance.

Adrian

 

[Pegasus \(MVP\)]

Hi,

I got two computer, one is using Windows 2000, then other is WinXP, both
using Netgear FA311 network card. And I just bought a cat 5 cable. When I
tried to connect two computers directly using a single cable without any
switch or hub in between, they can't be connected, and I checked the network
connection, it said the network cable is unplugged. I have check the
hardware, there's no problem with the connection.
Other information may be helpful: 1) WinXP is the one connected to the
internet with a cable modem. 2) All the gateway, ip address and subnet had
been setted correctly. 3) I tried to ping the loop back address, there's is
response, so there's no problem with my network card. 4) I tried the cable
with my friend's network, it worked fine with the single cable and no
switch. So what should I do? Thanks in advance.

Adrian

To get some misconceptions out of the way:
- There is no point at all to ping another machine unless Win2000
reports that the cable is connected.
- Pinging Localhost does not prove anthing.

Your first job is therefore to get Win2000 to recognise the
network connection. Try this:
- Set both adapters to 10 MBits/s half duplex.
- Check each adapter in the Device Manager.
- Disable, then enable each network adapter.
- If unsuccessful, reboot the machines.
- If still unsuccessful, borrow a laptop with a network adapter
that has been tested elsewhere, then test the connection
from each PC to the laptop.

When successful, start looking at your IP addresses.

 

[Adrian]

hi,

Thanks for the prompt reply.
I have setted to 10 MBits/s half duplex, but nothing's happened, can I ask
what's that for?
I have tried to enable and disable the network adaptor, but still doesn't
work.
I have tried to reboot many times, but no use at all.
I don't have a laptop, but I tried to bring one of my PC to my friend's home
and tried to connect with his network, and it works fine. So is that mean
the network card on the other PC is dead? but the windows can detect it, and
seems ok.

 

[Pegasus \(MVP\)]

Forcing the network adapter to run at 10 MBits/s half duplex
ensures that you will get a connection even with poor wiring.
When things are sorted out, you put it back to "auto".

You are a little vague in your description of the test you ran
with your friend's PC. Assuming that your own PCs are
called A and B, and that your friend's PC is F, I would
expect to see the following:

- Connecting A to F: Connection is good / bad / intermittent
- Connecting B to F: Connection is good / bad / intermittent
- Connecting A to B: Connection is bad

You need to go about these things in a strictly systematic way.
If you find that A to F works fine but that B to F fails then
you know that B's network adapter needs to be replaced.
Just because Windows can detect the adapter does not mean
that it works - the final proof is in transmitting packets successfully!

 

[Richard G. Harper]

Is the cable a crossover cable? If not then you will get a cable-disconnect
error.

--
Richard G. Harper [MVP Shell/User] (e-mail address removed)
* PLEASE post all messages and replies in the newsgroups
* for the benefit of all. Private mail is usually not replied to.
* My website, such as it is ... http://rgharper.mvps.org/
* HELP us help YOU ... http://www.dts-l.org/goodpost.htm

 

[Guillermo]

I think that you are using a regular cat 5 cable and not the crossover cable
that you are supposed to use to connect two computers without a hub.
Buy a crossover cable or make one.
The way to figure out what kind of cable you have is to look at the
connectors at the ends.
If the order of the wires is the same in both ends, then you have a straight
cable, appropriate to connect a computer to a hub.
If the order is such the wires 1,2,3,6, match wires 3,6,1,2 of the other
end, then you have a crossover cable, that is used to connect computer to
computer with no hub.


guillermo

 

[Adrian]

Hi
I only tested one computer (A) with my friend's computer (F), and it works
fine. I try to bring my other PC to test with my friend see how it goes.
BTW, I heard somebody said I need a hub, otherwise my network card will
'burn', why is that? Also, Are u meaning that the reason why it's shown as
unplugged is because one of the network card is bad?

Thanks
Adrian

 

[Pegasus \(MVP\)]

You can connect two PCs in two ways:

a) You connect them directly with a so-called crossover cable.
Guillermo wrote how to determine the type of cable you have.

b) You run a straight CAT5 cable from each PC to a hub
or switch.

Do not believe the fairy-tales about network cards burning if
left unplugged. It's a load of rubbish.

If Windows 2000 says that a cable is unplugged then this is
a rough diagnostic tool to tell you that something is wrong.
It could be the cable or the card.

 

[Adrian]

Hi
I guess you are right, my one is a regular cat 5 cable, but how come it
works on my friends' network? I just don't get it... I tried to plug the
cable into the network card directly with no hub, and it works fine. But
just not work in my network...
Why?

Regards,
Adrian

 

[Pegasus \(MVP\)]

You need to be a little more careful with your posts.
Stating explicitly in the Subject line that you have a
crossover cable, when in fact you have a straight
cable, is badly misleading all those respondents who
are trying to help you. I have a habit of taking
nothing for granted but I usually assume that posters
have some idea of what they are talking about.

 

[Guillermo]

The hubs or switches usually have an uplink port, which is the one that you
connect to the wall or another hub, as opposed to a computer (basically does
the job of crossing over the cable). Now I know that some hubs automatically
detect what they are connected to, so basically their ports are either
normal or uplink depending what you are connecting them to.
So I think there is a chance that his network card itself has that
capability........ That it can detect what it is connected to and
automatically choose the option that makes the computer being connected.....
Never heard of it before, but nowadays anything can be found in the market.
And that will be my only explanation of why you can connect your computer
directly to your friends computer with a straight cable.
In any case, I recommend you get either a crossover cable or a hub.


guillermo

 

[Adrian]

That's a great explanation, thx a lot.
I am sorry for any confusion, I was going to buy a hub with a straight
cable, but the sales told me that I can buy a single cable to setup the
cross over network, but he didn't tell me that I need a crossover cable...
sorry about that.
Just wondering do I need to set the speed lower? coz I saw that the transfer
rate is 100MB, while with the hub it's just 10MB, will it damage my network
card at all?

Thanks

 

[Guillermo]

your card won't get damaged.
If you have a modern hub (by modern I mean 2000 and later .........for sure
the hub supports 100 Mbits/s (which is NOT 100 MBytes per second).
I would just set the speed to defaults and see how that works. I've never
had to change anything in order for it to work.


guillermo