Local area networks have long been used at home to combine several computer devices into a single whole. And if earlier, say, in offices to create a network you had to buy expensive equipment, today you only need computers, cables and routers for this. How to create a local area network between two computers will be discussed later. Connection options can be offered at least two.
Options for combining terminals or laptops
So, how to make a local area network between two computers with Windows 7 on board or with any other operating system of this family? Connection can be established either directly through a cable, or through a router (router, ADSL modem) using a wireless connection.
In the first case, to connect the terminals you will need a special network cable or the so-called twisted pair cable. It is better to immediately get a crimped cable with special connectors that will be inserted into the network cards of both computers. The main disadvantage is that additional cords will appear in the apartment. Much more convenient is connecting via a router using wireless technology. In this case, the setup looks simpler.
LAN between two computers via cable: initial steps
To begin, consider a direct connection when the terminals are already connected by twisted pair. To start creating a local network between two computers, you need to check the so-called workgroup. It must be the same on both terminals.
To do this, through the PCM on the computer icon (in Windows 10 it is located exclusively in the "Explorer"), you need to call the properties and go to additional system parameters.
On the computer name tab, enter any name for the name of the user terminal (in Latin only). The specified group can also be changed, since the default is usually set to MSHOME or WORKGROUP. However, if the groups on the connected computers are the same, you can not do such things. But to change the name after pressing the corresponding button, you can also enter an arbitrary name (again, exclusively in Latin).
IPv4 Configuration
With groups sorted out. The solution to the question of how to make a local area network between two computers at home involves setting up a special IPv4 protocol, which is needed in order to identify each terminal on the network.
You can, of course, leave automatic reception of addresses, but in our case it is better to write static (permanent) addresses starting with the combination 192.168, after which, for example, 0.1 is entered for the first computer and 0.2 for the second.
You can leave automatic retrieval for DNS server addresses, but if something doesn’t work, you can use free Google addresses, which, as a rule, consist of combinations of eights and fours.
Pay special attention to proxy settings in additional options. Its use for local addresses needs to be disabled (by default it usually is, but as they say, you never know).
After saving the changes, you still need to make the terminals visible on the network.
To do this, in the networks section, you need to go to additional sharing options and for each computer activate the network discovery points and enable automatic configuration on other devices.
Sharing folders
Computers seem to be connected to the network, but folders and files are not shared. At this stage, the solution to the problem of how to create a local area network between two computers is to open it (popularly called “sharing folders” - from the English share). To do this, select the desired directory and through RMB go to its properties, and then use the advanced settings button. In a new window, open sharing, and in permissions, check the boxes next to the necessary rights.
After saving the settings, go to the security tab, click the change and add buttons, add a group (“All”), and then in the security settings window set the necessary full or partial access rights for the group. After applying the settings and the appearance of general directories in the "Explorer", the terminal must be rebooted. Such actions must be performed for all directories that are supposed to be included in the public folders. After the restart, folders on the network can be used subject to the established rights.
A local network between two computers through a router: initial configuration of the router
Now let's move on to the wireless network. First, you need to pre-configure the router by entering its web interface through any Internet browser by entering the address 192.168.0.1 (or 1.1), as well as the login and password (admin).
Here you should go to the network section and configure the wireless mode and enter the data provided by the provider. For convenience, you can use the so-called guest network (optional). This is true if you often receive guests, but do not want to give them a password from your network.
Actions on user terminals
The next step in working on how to create a local area network between two computers involves creating a home group, as opposed to the work group that was used in the first case.
To do this, in the networks section, select your connection and make sure that it has the status of a home network, not a public one. Change the settings if necessary. Next, opposite the selected network, click the readiness for creation hyperlink, and in the new window use the create group button.
In the next window, select the types of documents that will be shared, then use the link to change additional access parameters and disable password mode.
At the end of all steps, reboot both terminals.
Checking the connection to the router
Connection verification can be done through the command line. At one of the terminals, enter the ipconfig command and remember the parameter assigned to IPv4. After that, on the second computer in the command console, enter the ping command and enter the address of the first terminal after a space. If the packet exchange has begun, everything is in order. Your network is working.
IP Protocol Settings
On the question of how to configure a local area network between two computers, it is worth noting separately that automatic receipt of addresses during a wireless connection is a prerequisite, since routers do not work with static addresses. If you experience problems, as in the first case, try changing the DNS addresses, and if necessary, disable the use of IPv6. It is possible that the provider does not support its use, and conflicts arise precisely on this basis.
Additional settings
Setting up shared access to directories does not differ in any way from the steps described above. If there are crashes, errors or prohibitions when “sharing” folders, change the protection level of access to the computer in the antivirus, and at the same time disable the built-in Windows firewall (firewall), although the system does not recommend this.
What to use?
How to create a local area network between two computers in two versions, it seems, is already clear. But which one to prefer? According to user reviews on the Internet, most of them are still inclined towards a wireless connection, since in this case no cables are needed, and the setup looks simpler, because almost all parameters are set automatically. The only negative is the limited number of simultaneously connected computer or mobile devices (it all depends on the model of the router). As for the routers themselves, models with a data transfer rate of 100 Mbps of the TP-Link series line are quite suitable for the home. They are relatively inexpensive and provide high-quality communication. You can, of course, purchase more expensive equipment, but what's the point if 3-4 devices are connected to the network? And for access to open folders, a speed of, say, 1 Gbit / s is absolutely unnecessary, except for Internet access, and then mainly for downloading heavy content with a very large volume.