In this guide, we will go through ways on how you can connect to other computer.
Let’s say the other computer is in your home and you need to establish a connection for file transfer and sharing. This is a very simple process. We will use a switch or router to accomplish the connection. Usually, the switch is used for dividing an Internet connection between computers. But in this case it will be used as a bridge between two computers.
First of all, we’ll need the switch. It is not expensive to buy and should cost around $10 to $20. Also we can use the switch located on a wireless router or ADSL router. So, we have here a switch and two computers. Let’s first power up the switch and connect all computers to the switch. We can use for it standard LAN cable. After that, the computers must be configured to have IP addresses.
Let’s configure the first computer with IP 192.168.1.3 and subnet mask 255.255.255.0. Let’s do the same for the second computer but with the IP address 192.168.1.4. Now, depending on the operating system, both the computers need to be restarted. After that, we go on the first computer to Network Places. There, you will be able to see Neighborhood Computer with its name. Now, if there is a directory with set permission, you will be able to access the directory and files there and download or upload.
Software applications are available to get remote computer support and share files, etc. The most popular here is TeamViewer. You can find more about this software application here.
This is almost all that can be said about connection through a switch. Now is your turn to explore your connection further.
When two computers are connected to the router, they are automatically connected to a switch also. So you need to just go to My Computer and then Network Places and the Neighborhood Computer should already be there.
We don't explain direct connections between two computers with a LAN cable here because that is always a nightmare. Windows operating systems don’t communicate properly if they are not the same, due to which there will be a problem in connecting Vista with XP. So, it is better to connect the computers with a router or switch.
What programs should you use to communicate between computers? For file sharing and transfer is all right to use a file manager in Windows like Windows Explorer or the My Computer. TeamViewer is the best program for remote computer support or work on remote computer. This program enables you to use remote computer, transfer files or make a voice conversation. But, in this case, we need to connect both computers to the Internet to be able to use this software. There are also loads of software applications to connect two computers and it is your choice which one you use.