Peer to Peer Networking

How to Build a Network Using a Cross-Over Cable

We can build a small network between two computers using a very cheap
networking cable, called cross-over cable. This can be a terrific solution for an inexpensive way of
putting together only two computers for allowing them to share files, printers and Internet access.

Two network cards installed on one of the computers. The first card will be connected to
your broadband modem and the other card will be used to connect this computer to the other
computer, thru a cross-over cable. This is why some high-end motherboards have two on-board
network cards: they allow you to share your Internet connection without needing to install a
broadband router, by installing one of the ports to your broadband modem and the other to the
other computer (with broadband internet connection).

If you don’t have or don’t want broadband Internet access you won’t need two network
cards on one of the computers. So dial-up users will need only one network card at each
computer. Another situation you could build this simple network without Internet access is when
you want to connect two computers just for copying files, like copying all files located on your
hard drive to another computer, for example (without broadband internet connection).

Limitations of Peer to Peer Network

 The computer that has the broadband Internet connection will need to be always turned
on.
 You will be able to interconnect only two computers.

 If you want to share your printer between your two computers, the computer that has the
printer installed will need to be turned on if you want to print a document from the other
computer.

Installation
The installation of this kind of network is very simple. First you will need to install a
network card on each computer.

The second and final step is really simple: just connect each end of the cross-over cable to
each computer and that’s it! Your network will be assembled!

But your network won’t be working. You will need to configure the network connection on
your computers.

PCHS Trainer Marikina Polytechnic College, Marikina City Lesson 47a

Danilo S. Ibarrola Personal Computer Hardware Servicing Page 1 of 4
 Peer to Peer Networking

Configuring The Computers

Configuring a network using a cross-over cable on Windows XP and Vista is really
simple, as these operating systems allow you to create your own network with just one mouse
click.

This is done at the TCP/IP configuration settings of each computer.

Go to Start, Control Panel, Network Connections. There you will see your Local
Area Connection.

The network card on your client computer.

Right click the Local Area Connection and, from the list that will show up, choose
Properties. Then Local Area Connection Properties dialog box will appear. There double click
“Internet Protocol (TCP/IP)”.

PCHS Trainer Marikina Polytechnic College, Marikina City Lesson 47a

Danilo S. Ibarrola Personal Computer Hardware Servicing Page 2 of 4
 Peer to Peer Networking

Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) Properties will appear. There you need to check if “Obtain
an IP address automatically” or “use the following IP address” and “Obtain DNS server address
automatically” or “Use the following DNS server addresses” options.

You configuration of your first computer will look like this:

 Select Use the following IP address

 IP address: 192.168.0.1
 Subnet mask: 255.255.255.0
 Default gateway: 192.168.0.1
 Select Use The Following DNS server addresses
 Preferred DNS server: 192.168.0.1

You should configure the other computer like this:

 Select Use the following IP address

 IP address: 192.168.0.2
 Subnet mask: 255.255.255.0
 Default gateway: 192.168.0.1

PCHS Trainer Marikina Polytechnic College, Marikina City Lesson 47a

Danilo S. Ibarrola Personal Computer Hardware Servicing Page 3 of 4
 Peer to Peer Networking

 Select Use The Following DNS server addresses

 Preferred DNS server: 192.168.0.1

PCHS Trainer Marikina Polytechnic College, Marikina City Lesson 47a

Danilo S. Ibarrola Personal Computer Hardware Servicing Page 4 of 4