Connecting computers is the perfect way to share resources and data. Creating a private network helps to share resources and to communicate easier and faster. How to connect two computers to share data? Read on to find out how you can connect two computers using various operating systems. It is recommended, that you have a better understanding of Private Networks and its resourcefulness before moving on to read out how you can create a private network in a hassle free manner.
HOW TO CONNECT TWO COMPUTERS?
Step 1: Plug in an Ethernet cable
The Ethernet is one of the most used methods to connect two computers. Ethernet cables help to make a direct connection between the Ethernet ports of computers. Some computers might require a special type of cable, commonly called as the crossover cable in order to make the connection. The specialized cable, which is wired in reverse, switches the internet ports of the computers, such that the input of one is connected to the output of other.
Due to the presence of Auto-Medium Dependent Interface Crossover (Auto-MDIX) in computers nowadays, crossover cables are not necessary to be used, as the Ethernet port will be automatically configured.
Check the documentation of the system in order to figure out if crossover cable or a simple Ethernet cable will do the job on your computer.
Step 2: For Windows Vista, 7 or 8 OS computers
The process of connecting the two computers differs from OS to OS. The steps mentioned below will be used to understand how this can be achieved in Windows Vista, 7 or 8 operating systems.
- Connect the computers in question, using a crossover cable. One of the computers should be using Windows Vista, 7 or 8.
- If you are using a Windows Vista and a Windows 7 computer, use the Windows 7 to follow the below-mentioned steps.
- Click on the Start button, click on Control Panel, and click on the Network and Sharing Center.
- Select your network. In the network map shows in the Network and Sharing Center, you will now need to click on the Unidentified Network icon. For more than a single network, the icon will be named as Multiple Networks.
- Enable network discovery. You will probably be asked an administrator password and username, so input it if required into the computer.
Step 3: For Windows XP Computer
For the Windows XP, follow the below-mentioned steps.
- Open the Control Panel from the start menu.
- Double click on System and you will get a range of icons. Click on the Computer Name tab. Enter the name of each computer and the name of the workgroup. It must be noted that the name of the computer is different while that of the home group should be the same.
- Now, click on Network Connections from the Control Panel tab. Connect the computers using the crossover cable and if the status is shown as Disconnected, your cable is ruined or has not been seated properly.
- Right click on the Network Connection icon and select properties and click the Advanced tab.
- Click on Windows Firewall Settings and click on the Exceptions tab.
- Make sure that Printer and File sharing icon has been selected.
- Wait for some time and the IP addresses will appear in the Network Connections window.
- The same process is to be repeated for two computers, which are both Windows XP.
Step 4: For Macintosh OS X computer
Follow the below-mentioned steps to hook up a Macintosh OS computer.
- Hook the computers using an Ethernet cable. On the absence of an Ethernet port, use the USB to Ethernet adapter.
- Click on the network preferences panel and select on Show Network Port Configurations. Make sure that the icon of Built-in-Ethernet has been checked. Active Ethernet will;l be shown in the Network Status pane of the Network System Preferences panel.
- Activate Personal File Sharing from the Network System Preferences panel.
- Click on Network icon on the sidebar and look up for the name of the computer that you have set up. Click on it and input the password.
- All the available volumes will be showcased using another dialog box. Select the required volumes and the icons of the selected volumes will appear on your sidebar as partitions of memory.
Step 5: Creating a Macintosh Computer as a Server
- Share computers as servers by clicking on Connect to Server. You need to click the IP address of your target machine from the server list. If the IP address is not found, browser the IP addresses by typing it into the Server Address field.
- Click on connect and input the password on the password dialog that will appear.
- A dialog box, with the volume selections of the target Mac, will appear on your computer. These icons that appear on your desktop can be utilized as any other drive of your computer.