Networking

[David Kelsey]

I want to network two machines in the same office using XP and XP Pro,
preferably at the lowest cost. Where would be the best place to go for
advice on kit for this please?

David Kelsey

 

[Guest]

If it is purely 2 xp machines you want to communicate with then get yourself
a cross-over cable. this will then let the 2 machines communicate. if you
want a server or network printer involved at a later date, buy a hub and some
cat5 cables.

Stewart.

 

[David Kelsey]

Thanks Stewart. What about using a USB A-A cable? Does this work well
enough?

David

 

[Guest]

Never done it with USB cables. let me know how it goes if you try it that way.

 

[Bob I]

NO! NOT A-A because both ports are powered, use PC-PC cable instead.

 

[David Kelsey]

Thanks Bob - I'm glad I asked. Do the PC_PC cables have fewer connections?

David

 

[Bob I]

I haven't researched it but suspect that the power supply
wire/connection is unused to prevent "cross connecting" power supplies.
There may be more differences but would have to look up the cabling
specs to know.

 

[Ken Blake]

In

I want to network two machines in the same office using XP and
XP Pro,
preferably at the lowest cost. Where would be the best place
to go
for advice on kit for this please?

Right here is fine. You need a NIC (network interface card) for
each computer, if they don't already have them, and a length of
crossover cable to reach between them.

Total cost should be around US $25--$10 for each NIC and around
$5 for the cable. All the software you need is included as part
of Windows XP.

 

[David Kelsey]

Thanks Ken. Does this mean you don't favour using USB to link the computers
with just a cable? I only plan to use it for file transfers, as the
peripherals can run from one or the other, not necessarily from both.

David

 

[Ken Blake]

In

Thanks Ken. Does this mean you don't favour using USB to link
the
computers with just a cable? I only plan to use it for file
transfers, as the peripherals can run from one or the other,
not
necessarily from both.

You're welcome, David. I know very little about using USB in this
way, and I'd prefer not to comment. Let others who know more
address your question.