What network cable?

[mindrot]

Hi...

I'm getting a second PC and need to connect it up to my first pc. It'll mostlikely connect through my router/modem, which the first PC is connected to.

I'm just not too sure what sort of cable to get as I see that there are various types of cables (crossover, patch, etc.). I see my XBox 360 is connected to my router via a patch cable.

One other really silly question. Would my router/modem act as a network addaptor for the PCs so that they can see eachother across the network (share files, etc between them)? Or would it only be act as a modem for the second PC?

Thanks

 

[J.B]

Patch and crossover are usaully the same thing. Most modern equipment has auto sencing ports anyway. But crossover is what is normally used and is pretty much what you'd get if you ask for a bog standard network cable.

the router would act like a hub for all your internet traffic, your two machines would be able to see each other and share files.

 

[tolien]

Patch cables are usually straight through, and there's only a need for a crossover cable if you're connecting two machines directly.

To connect a machine to a switch (which is what you're really doing - the router part is separate though built-in), a patch cable is what you really want. Any type of cable should work with a reasonably modern switch and/or network card though.

Would my router/modem act as a network addaptor for the PCs so that they can see eachother across the network (share files, etc between them)?

Depends on the router, but they should see each other.

 

[E1mo]

I use patch cable everywhere, haven't seen a piece of equipment that doesn't have auto-sensing ports in a while now. Even if one device has an auto-sensing port you should still be able to do device-device with a patch cable.

 

[mindrot]

Thanks all . Much appreciated. That's helped quite a bit