Setting Up a Small Network The simplest possible wired network is two computers connect...

Setting Up a Small Network

The simplest possible wired network is two computers connected together using a crossover cable. In a crossover cable, the send and receive wires are crossed so that one computer can send and the other computer receive on the same wire. At first glance, a crossover cable looks just like a regular network cable (also called a patch cable) except for the labeling (see Figure 15-67). (In Chapter 16, you learn how to distinguish between the cables by examining their connectors.)

Do the following to set up and test the network:

1. Connect two computers using a crossover cable. Using the Network and Sharing Center, verify your network is up. What is the IP address of Computer A? Of Computer B?

2. Join the two computers to the same homegroup. Then use Windows Explorer to view the files on the other computer shared with the homegroup.

3. Convert the TCP/IP configuration to static IP addressing. Assign a private IP address to each computer. What is the IP address of Computer A? Of Computer B?

4. Verify you can still see files shared with the homegroup on each computer.