How to Connect Two Computers with an Ethernet Cable: Step-by-Step Guide

Connecting two computers with an Ethernet cable is a simple yet effective way to establish a direct network link between them. This guide walks you through the process, including the necessary steps to set up the connection, configure network settings, and test the connection.

What You Need

Standard Ethernet Cable: Cat5e or Cat6 cables work well for direct connections. Most modern Ethernet interfaces can auto-sense and adjust, so a crossover cable is not usually necessary. Two Computers: Both should have Ethernet ports available for the connection.

Steps to Connect

Connect the Ethernet Cable

Plug one end of the Ethernet cable into the Ethernet port of the first computer. Plug the other end of the cable into the Ethernet port of the second computer.

Configure Network Settings

Windows

Open Control Panel > Network and Internet > Network and Sharing Center. Click on Change adapter settings and right-click on the Ethernet connection, then select Properties. Select Internet Protocol Version 4 TCP/IPV4 and click Properties. Choose Use the following IP address and set the following IP configurations for both computers: Computer 1: IP Address: 192.168.1.1, Subnet Mask: 255.255.255.0 Computer 2: IP Address: 192.168.1.2, Subnet Mask: 255.255.255.0 Click OK to save the settings.

macOS

Open System Preferences > Network. Under the left sidebar, select Ethernet. Set Configure IPv4 to Manually. Enter the following IP configurations for both computers: Computer 1: IP Address: 192.168.1.1, Subnet Mask: 255.255.255.0 Computer 2: IP Address: 192.168.1.2, Subnet Mask: 255.255.255.0 Click Apply to save the changes.

Test the Connection

Open a command prompt on Windows or terminal on macOS. Use the ping command to test the connection: From Computer 1: type ping 192.168.1.2 From Computer 2: type ping 192.168.1.1 If the connection is successful, you should see replies from the other computer.

Additional Tips

Firewall Settings: Ensure that firewalls on both computers allow communication over the network. File Sharing: If you plan to share files or resources, enable file sharing on both computers.

This setup allows the two computers to communicate directly over the Ethernet connection, providing a reliable and often faster alternative to WiFi. Follow these steps, and you’ll be able to establish a functional network link with ease!