How to connect 2 computer without using router

I understand that 2 computers can be connected using ethernet cable without using any router.
What are the steps necessary? e.g. configuration to change if you want internet access thru the other computer and sharing of folders...

Any precautions???

 

Use cross cable to connect both computers.
Set samiliar subnet for both computers, for instance: 10.0.0.1 and 10.0.0.2.
Gateway is not require. As long as you have both computers in same subnet.

 

I am not familiar on how to configure the subnet... How is it done?

 

How do you determen the subnet #

 

Go to command prompt and type ipconfig. You can manually set your ip settings by rightclicking on your network card in network connection. Hit TCP/IP properties and there should be a choice to either do it autmatically or set it manually.

 

I would suggest you to read:-

http://www.learntosubnet.com/
http://www.3com.com/other/pdfs/infra/corpinfo/en_US/501302.pdf

These are very details and free source guidance on Subneting and Networking.

 

Hi,
The easiest way for me is:
1. Buy crossover cable but try also with ordinary UTP cable if you have it because the newer network cards do crossover automatically.
2. Connect them
3. Choose one to be "the main" computer let's call it A.
4. On A go to Internet Explorer Tools - options - Connections (here you choose your Internet connection) - Settings - Properties - Advanced and there you can see checkmark for Sharing this connection with others. Choose Local area network in the combo if you can see it. Otherwise just Apply.
5. It will set A to 192.168.0.1
6. DHCP will automatically set the B to a number above 192.168.0.1 (192.168.0.2 for example) with gateway set to 192.168.0.1.

This is also good because when you want to connect another comp - you just add a hub or switch in between and all computers connectued to it will have their IP automatically and will be able to use Internet when A is on and connected.

Be sure to set permissions for other users and share what you want them to see. Disable simple sharing in Windows Explorer (on Win XP Pro) if you want more advanced options. On XP Home is quite straightforward.

There is also the wizard in Windows that helps you do the procedure and it will set the A and all other computers over a USB stick. You can find it in Help. It also works.

Other ways people suggested also work - but manual setting isn't a good solution in a long run. I will leave it to you.

Hope it helps,