How do I use a network switch to connect two PCs?

Question

I've been searching the internet and I can't get a straight answer anywhere. So I have a tp-link 5 port switch connected to two pcs via ethernet cables. How do I view and exchange files between them using the switch? A step by step set of instructions would be nice. :)

I had another question how ever. So like, can I use the switch to share a internet connection between the two computers simultaneously? The last time I asked this question around the web majority was saying no. But right now I see a lot people claiming to have done that. Is it possible? If so, how?

Answer 1

You'll need to set up file sharing to view and exchange files. http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-vista/file-sharing-essentials Here is a video. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rP3eR3aNxEw



Windows 7 and 8 supports homegroups that might make your file sharing setup easier. http://www.addictivetips.com/windows-tips/simple-windows-7-file-sharing-step-by-step-procedure/



As far as Internet access goes,



Without getting too technical.



You need a device that can share your one Internet connection with multiple devices. Most commonly a simple wireless router is used. http://www.amazon.com/s/?_encoding=UTF8&linkCode=ur2&camp=1789&creative=390957&field-keywords=wireless%20router&url=search-alias%3Daps&sprefix=wireless%20ro%2Caps%2C490&tag=excharge-20



A router connects two separate networks and manages the traffic between them.



In most home network applications the router connects your local group of computers and devices known as the LAN with the Internet, commonly called the WAN or Wide Area Network.



If you don't have a router, another option is to set up Internet Connection Sharing (ICS). You can set up ICS on a PC with a Internet connection and connect it to another PC. This requires two network cards in the first PC. The Internet connection can be Ethernet or WiFi. http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-vista/using-ics-internet-connection-sharing. This method also requires the first PC to be active any time you need to access the Internet on the second PC.



Good Luck...

Answer 2

First question: Yes, you can do that provided you configure the IP addresses on each machine manually...



Second question; NO, to use two or more machines at the same time on an Internet service, you must use a router. No way around that simple fact of life.... You can have two machines connected to a switch, and power up only one at a time, but not both at the same time. People that say otherwise do not know networking at all... You must use a router...

Answer 3

The answer to your question on connecting the two computers through a switch is that you need to set up manually assigned IP addresses. Make sure that you use private IP addresses, you can use the IP address of the other computer as the default gateway. 192.168.x.y are one of the ranges of private IP addresses. You can use ftp to transfer files between the two. One of the computers should be using a FTP server application that you can download off of the Internet.



If your ISP allows more than one IP address, and many of them do, then it is possible for a layer two switch to allow more than one computers to share a link to the Internet. In that case your ISP will have a connection to a router that will connect you to a DHCP server. If your ISP only allows one IP address then you will need to connect through a home router set up as a gateway and it will perform the NAT function to allow more than one device to share the IP that is provided by the |SP.

Answer 4

I presume the two your computers are utilising the same working device, living house domicile windows XP? Assuming all else is effective (volatile assumption) as you're announcing connectivity is effective: a million. Have the two the computers contained in the same workgroup. 2. make certain the two the computers have living house domicile windows record-sharing help in community connection properties (remarkable click connection, decide on on properties to view settings) 3. Optionally, have the username by which you attempt to connect exist on the machiine which you attempt to attach to as nicely (it ought to have a distinctive password). If there is not any substitute/hub between the two computers, then the two your community playing playing cards could choose to be waiting to motorized motor vehicle-adjusting for a on the 2nd-by cable; or your cable could choose to be crossover style, no longer on the 2nd-by style.