Computer and Software Support


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)
  • 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