Crossover cables

If you only have two computers, you do not have to have a router. You can use a crossover cable to connect the two computers together and create a network. You still have to setup the network, but you don't have to have a router. If you are just going to share files between the two systems, then a router is not needed. If you are wanting to get on the internet on both systems, you can still do that but there is some downfalls using a crossover cable than using a router. There are different types of modems and the availability of setup will vary because of them. I will explain below.

Cable or DSL modem with only an Ethernet adapter (No USB connection available)

Computers have only one Ethernet port available (unless the computer is a server)
- The Cable or DSL modem will use the only available Ethernet port
To get an additional Ethernet port will require installing an additional port which will require the following
- A network card
  - An available PCI slot, PCMCIA, or USB slot (depending on the type of Ethernet card you purchase)
    - If you do not have an empty PCI slot, you will have to use an Ethernet card that uses USB
      - If you have no empty USB slots, you will have to purchase a USB Hub.
        
        If you do purchase a USB hub, here is some important information for you to know.
Costs (this is an estimate only and may not be accurate depending on availability, specifications and other factors.)
- Network cards (This is only an expense if your system does not have one, or you need to add an additional card)
  - PCI version - $20 and up
  - USB version - $30 and up
  - PCMCIA version - $40 and up
- Crossover cable
  - $7 and up (depending on the length of cable)
- Cable or DSL modem
  - $70 and up
- USB Hub (if needed)
  - $10 and up
Advantages
- No purchase of a router required which can save you $30 to $100
Disadvantages
- The computer that has the Cable or DSL modem connected to becomes a server.
  - Cannot turn the server off or the other computer will not be able to access the internet.
  - Cannot reboot (Restart) the server or the other computer will not be able to access the internet.
  - The second computer uses some of the resources of the server and may slow the server down.
- Network card
  - If you have to purchase an additional network card to be able to connect both the Cable or DSL modem and the other computer, will add cost to the setup
  - The cost of the network card may be close to the cost of the router and therefore may be more economical to go that route
  - If you have to purchase a USB version and need a hub, that will be an additional expense as well.

Cable or DSL modem with both USB and Ethernet connections

Costs (this is an estimate only and may not be accurate depending on availability, specifications and other factors.)
- Crossover cable needtodo
  - $7 and up (depending on the length of cable)
- Cable or DSL modem
  - $70 and up
- USB Hub (if needed)
  - $10 and up
Advantages
- No purchase of a router required which can save you $30 to $100
Disadvantages
- The computer that has the Cable or DSL modem connected to becomes a server.
  - Cannot turn the server off or the other computer will not be able to access the internet.
  - Cannot reboot (Restart) the server or the other computer will not be able to access the internet.
  - The second computer uses some of the resources of the server and may slow the server down.
- If your USB ports are occupied, you may have to purchase a USB hub
  - The cost of the hub may be close to the cost of the router and therefore may be more economical to go that route