Each computer owner must one day begin to look for the answer to the question of how to configure a local area network between two computers. A similar way of connecting several computing systems is still incredibly in demand, despite its venerable age (this year it turns 47 years old).
This is not surprising, given the extremely low cost of deploying a network, the availability of hardware configuration, and the decent transmission speed of digital information by modern standards. In addition, the use of wires as a carrier medium allows for high reliability of data exchange.
Materials and equipment
As you know, a local network of computers can effectively solve the problem of organizing communications between computing systems. You just need to purchase a special cable (usually a twisted pair cable ) with connectors installed at the ends, connect them to the outputs of the network cards of two computers and, of course, configure. It is desirable that the cards support the same standards. All modern boards already contain integrated network adapters.
Note that when connecting multiple systems using a switch, hub or router,
the network card settings will be different than when a local network is established between two computers. However, the principle is the same, so we will consider a simpler option later.
How to set up a local area network between two computers
So, the cable is purchased, and the connectors are connected to the computer connectors. Just note that the segment length should not exceed 100 meters (for 100 Megabits). In addition, the problem of direct and reverse crimping of connectors has long been a thing of the past, so this issue may not even be raised (sometimes this feature is sometimes remembered for some reason). The next step is to configure the network card itself. To do this, go through the control panel or by selecting "Properties" of the "Computer" shortcut in the "Device Manager", where in the displayed system list, select the item "Network Adapters". Here you should configure the exact adapter to which the cable is connected.
In the item "Advanced" you need to force "Speed and duplex" to the required mode. It is noticed that with auto-negotiation, transmission may slow down. Well, since we are considering how to configure a local network between two computers, the same steps should be performed on a different computing system.
Correct addresses
The next step is to open the "Network Control Center" (properties of the monitor icon next to the clock in the system tray) and select "Change adapter settings" in the list on the left. Here you need to call the properties of the network card that was previously configured in the "Device Manager". Further, if the question is how to configure a local area network between two computers, the Protocol of the 6th version can be disabled by unchecking the corresponding entry - it is needed for the Internet, and so far the vast majority of small systems successfully work without it, using the proven fourth time. It remains to make changes to TCP / IP 4: double-click and select "Use the following address." Here you need to register 192.168.0.1, and set the network mask to 255.255.255.0. No further changes are required. On another computer, the IP address will be different - 192.168.0.3. The rest of the settings are identical.
If the network is down
Sometimes you have to exhibit the same working groups. To do this, call the "Computer" properties and proceed to the "Advanced settings". In the window that appears, select the tab “Computer Name”, then “Change”, and then register the name of the workgroup there. It is important that it is the same on both computers.