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wired ad-hoc network

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by rapers

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I am going to be setting up a network for a church on an extremely slim budget with two old pc's. They are running Windows 95 (first release) and the computers are running a Pentium 75 cpu. Old stuff. I am looking at adding an NIC card to each and then running the cable between the two cards to link them. I have a network at home using a wireless router and my home computers are Windows 98 so I have done some work with setting up a network. I just haven't done an ad-hoc network. Is it possible to set this up as a wired network like this? I figure with the cost being a big factor, if I can avoid a hub that will save some money for them. Is there anything special I need to do with Windows 95 to make this happen? Do I need some additional software to manage this? Also, would it be possible to later on add a third computer to this ad-hoc network?

8 replies

by timwalsh

If you are going to connect the 2 computers directly, you will need to use a cross-over cable instead of a straight through cable.

by thechas

As Tim said, to connect just 2 computers using NICs, all you need is a cross-over cable.

You can either buy one, or terminate your own.

I believe that cross-over wiring is detailed in the TR download on network cable wiring.

You will need to install a networking protocol such as TCP/IP.

To add a 3rd computer, you will need at least a hub or switch.
I would spend the money for the switch now, and then use straight cables between the 2 PCs. That way, you won't need to change anything when you add the 3rd PC.

Here's an 8 port Switch for $20.
http://tinyurl.com/bp8l

Why are you networking the 2 PCs?
For file sharing?
For resource sharing?
This affects how you need to set things up.

Chas

by rapers

I will be setting up the network to share files. My guess, though, is that I will also end up sharing a printer among them. At this time there is no internet access to share, and there definitely will not be a DSL line in the near future. I also am pretty sure we will be networking three computers.

by curlergirl

Just an added tip - for connecting just 2 or 3 computers with no Internet connection, it would be a lot easier to use NetBEUI instead of TCP/IP as your network protocol - less setup time since Win95 doesn't have automatic IP addressing capabilities. Setting up your workgroup, etc., in Win95 is exactly the same as in Win98. I'd go ahead and get the hub or switch so you can use straight through cables - there are lots of very inexpensive units our there on the market. Hope this helps!

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