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I've got 2 pcs setup with WLAN - however when I copy files between the machines it takes forever (obviously, since I run 801.11g).

So I thought, why not just connect them directly with a cable (my wireless router is the other end of the house, that's why I don't use cables to that)

However how should I configure the LAN connection on each machine, so I can use it for transferring files between them, whilst using my WLAN to access the Internet ?

I was thinking about letting one machine be gateway, but then Windows pops up with a lot of warnings (basically it says this won't work when you're using two disjoint networks)

And now I'm at a loss as to what to try.

quack quixote
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Steffen
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3 Answers3

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I've connected Windows computers and servers directly together using static IP addresses like this:

Machine 1:

IP Address: 10.0.0.1
Subnet mask: 255.255.255.0
Default gateway: (blank)

Machine 2:

IP Address: 10.0.0.2
Subnet mask: 255.255.255.0
Default gateway: 10.0.0.1

(You may need to choose a different subnet if 10.0.0.X is already used for another network.)

Disconnect the cable that will be used to directly connect the machines.

On each machine:

  1. Type ncpa.cpl at the command prompt.

  2. Double-click on the network adapter that will connect via the cable.

  3. Double-click Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) to edit properties. [Use IPV4 on Windows 7/Vista]

  4. Select Use the following IP address.

  5. Enter the machine's IP Address, Subnet Mask and Default Gateway.

  6. OK out.

When both machines have been configured, plug the cable into the network adapters. The URLs \\10.0.0.1\ and \\10.0.0.2\ should now allow access to shared folders on the machines.

I use this method to connect my Windows 7 machines to a Windows Home Server by setting the server up like machine 1. It saves a lot of time for large backups!

Jonathan Webb
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0

I am using the following approach on Windows Vista.

  1. set up computer A using wireless to your router.
  2. connect computer B to computer A over Ethernet (wired)

Then on computer A choose "Start" -> "Settings" -> "Network Connections". Click on your wireless connection, then press ctrl-click on your Ethernet Local Area Connection; once these two interfaces have been highlighted choose "Create Network Bridge" after right clicking.

Now both computer A and computer B are sharing the wireless interface on computer A.

If you are using a consumer router then you may want to configure computer B with a static IP address (because its DHCP request will look identical to computer A's DHCP request as they come from the same wireless interface). So if computer A is assigned 192.168.0.3, for example, set computer B to 192.168.0.23 (you will have to play with this until you get a free IP).

Note that this technique always requires computer A to be on if you want computer B to access your wireless router.

PP.
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If just you're transferring files from machine to machine, turn off one of the machines' wireless adapter, forcing that path to use ethernet.

JRobert
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