Both computers require a NIC card, once you have that, simply connect the crossover cable between the two machines, configure them with the same subnet mask, and like ip address ranges, ie:

Computer 1: IP: 192.168.1.100 - SUBNET MASK: 255.255.255.0
Computer 2: IP: 192.168.1.101 - SUBNET MASK: 255.255.255.0

Once you have done this, verify they both have the connection, and they should be able to communicate to each other.

To verify the connection, after setting addressing up, open a command prompt and attempt to ping one machine from the other.

Using my example, assuming you are on computer one, you'd just type:

ping 192.168.1.101

If you get 4 packet replies, and no drops, you are all set.

The reason you must use crossover cables is because of the send and receive wires on a cat 5 cable. Cx cables are used to connect similar devices, so that the send and receive wires are switched on opposite ends of the cable. Straight through cat5 connects dissimilar devices, such as hubs and NICS, or switches and NICS.

If you've ever seen a HUB, you may have noticed the small "uplink" button on them. This is for uplinking a connection to either another hub, or a CABLE/DSL modem.

If you're following what I've said, you'll understand why, the reason being, that because a hub and another hub are similar devices, they require a crossover connection, pressing this button allows you to use a straight through cable as a crossover, by switching the send receive inside of the hub itself, instead of the cable. Just a little extra information.


Good luck