How to connect one computer to another

Contrary to the previous articles written on this subject, there are more than two ways to connect two computers. You can most definitely connect computer using the two other articles means. You do not need a router though, it's quite possible to connect two machines with no extra hardware be they Layer 2 or Layer 3 devices. The use of a router is merely a better way to go about connecting devices with less chance of data compromise.

First lets break down the types of cables:
1. Straight Through, this is the most typical cable used for network purposes. It is by it's very name a cable that connects the same on both ends, making the wires inside "straight through".
2. Crossover cables, these cables have switched pairs on the ends allowing for them to do their own communication. Using crossover cables eliminates the need for a router, a simple hub can be substituted in this case.
3. Rollover cables, these cables are exactly opposite on their ends, these cables are also known as console cables as they're used to connect to the console ports of higher end network devices. You're not likely to ever have a use for these in your home.
Now lets go over the basic network equipment
1. Hubs: A hub is a network device that is considered "dumb", this means that it has no capability of routing packets on it's own. They have no operating system and work solely on the idea of passing electrical current from one place to another.
2. Routers: A router is basically a smart hub, it has the capability to route packets to the correct destination. It uses an operating system and tables to direct the network traffic to the proper computers. A router is a much better choice for networking, however in a pinch a hub can be substituted so long as there isn't a need for VLANs and subnetting. I won't get into what those are as you really don't need them at this point.
Wireless routers work on the same principles as a normal router, they simply have the capability of spreading information through radio waves.
Crossover Method:
Two computer can be hooked together through a crossover cable by setting the IP address and gateway addresses opposite on the two computers.
Example:
Computer 1: IP 192.168.1.1 Subnet Mask 255.255.255.0 Gateway 192.168.1.2
Computer 2: IP 192.168.1.2 Subnet Mask 255.255.255.0 Gateway 192.168.1.1
You can do the same thing by connecting them to a Hub.
Obviously this method will allow no connection to anything outside of the two computers though.
The other method which has not been created yet is connecting two computer directly with wireless connections.
Wireless Method:
You can use one computer to create an Ad-Hoc network and then simply join the other computer to that network.
Using the wireless method described above you can go through some advanced configuration to set up internet sharing through the wireless network. This involves 1: Connecting Computer 1 to the internet via LAN cable
2: Setting up the Ad-Hoc network
3: Connecting Computer 2 to Computer 1 Wireless network
4: Setting up internet sharing on computer 1 to share to wireless network
Hopefully if this didn't clear up any extra possibilities for networking two computer it at least gave some incite to someone.
Happy Networking

source by helium