By using Lifewire, you accept our, Connect Two Computers Directly With a Cable, Connect Two Computers With a Cable Through a Central Infrastructure, Home Networking With Broadband and Wireless Routers, How to Connect Two Routers on a Home Network. Being simple to set up and use, consider infrared if your computers support it, and you lack the desire to invest effort in Wi-Fi or Bluetooth. This is really a variation on an old idea -- diskless workstations -- which are computers that contain memory and a processor but no disk storage. Network computers take this idea one step further by also minimizing the amount of memory and processor power required by the workstation. You can use this kind of network to share files, a printer or another peripheral device, and an internet connection. On the next screen, enter the local address starting with ‘\\’ and then add the path to the folder you want to access. Infrared connections work between two computers, do not require a fixture, and are reasonably fast. HomeRF technology became obsolete several years ago and is not a practical option for home networking. If you need to access a computer on your network, you need its local network address. One of the strongest arguments behind network computers is that they reduce the total cost of ownership (TCO)-- not only because the machines themselves are less expensive than PCs, but also because network computers can be administered and updated from a central network server. A computer with minimal memory, disk storage and processor power designed to connect to a network, especially the Internet. Read More », Networking fundamentals teaches the building blocks of modern network design. If you want to check if the address is correct, paste it into the location bar in File Explorer. Your email address will not be published. Open File Explorer and go to This PC. Wi-Fi can be used either with or without a network fixture. Several types of fixtures exist for home networking: Implementing this method often entails an additional up-front cost to purchase more cables and network infrastructure. Open This PC and click ‘Add a network location’ at the top. Your email address will not be published. A network computer is an inexpensive personal computer designed for a centrally-managed network -- that is, data are stored and updated on a network server -- and lacks a disk drive, CD-ROM drive or expansion slots. It can be your user folder or anything else. Includes Top... Read More », Have you heard about a computer certification program but can't figure out if it's right for you? Click Next. However, it's a general-purpose solution that accommodates any reasonable number of devices (for example, ten or more). If you’re looking for other ways to quickly access this same location, you can right-click the network location and select ‘Pin to Start’, or ‘Pin to Quick Access’. This type of cabling, called Direct Cable Connection in Microsoft Windows, offers lower performance but the same basic functionality as Ethernet cables. Read More », Computer architecture provides an introduction to system design basics for most computer science students. You will likely prefer this approach if you intend to expand your network in the future. Ordinary USB 2.0 or newer cables with Type-A connectors can connect two computers directly to each other. In recent years, wireless solutions have increased in popularity for home networking. With two computers, Wi-Fi networking minus a fixture (also called ad-hoc mode) is especially simple to set up. A network computer depends on network … The idea behind network computers is that many users who are connected to a network don't need all the computer power they get from a typical personal computer. Consider Bluetooth if you have an interest in networking with handheld devices and your computers lack Wi-Fi capability. You need an Ethernet crossover cable, a null modem serial cable or parallel peripheral cable, or special-purpose USB cables. Alternatively, USB hubs work well, while powerline and phoneline home networks offer a unique form of central infrastructure. Can Two Routers Be Used on the Same Home Network? If you often need to access a computer on your network, it might be easier to just add it to This PC. You can also create a shortcut to the location on your desktop and move it anywhere else. You can enter the address in the run box and the device will ‘open’ in File Explorer. The conventional method to network two computers involves making a dedicated link by plugging one cable into the two systems. Learn how your comment data is processed. Also, Ethernet technology offers the most general-purpose solution, allowing networks with more than two computers to be built later. If you ever want to remove the network computer from This PC, all you have to do is right-click it and select Delete or Remove. Wi-Fi connections can reach a greater distance than wireless alternatives. An MIT graduate who brings years of technical experience to articles on SEO, computers, and wireless networking. This process works for network computers as well as other network devices e.g., media servers located on the network. Stay up to date on the latest developments in Internet terminology with a free newsletter from Webopedia. Select ‘Choose a custom network location’. How to sync configuration files on Linux with Syncthing, How to run the disk cleanup tool on Windows 10, How to add Steam games to the Start Menu on Windows 10, How to connect a Bluetooth device on macOS, Bloqueo de Netflix acerca de la VPN: cómo funciona y cómo evitarlo. You may prefer this option if you have Ethernet cables readily available, and network speed is not a concern. If you need to access a computer on your network, you need its local network address. Join to subscribe now. Each computer has a functioning network interface with an external jack for the cable. You may prefer this option over others if your computers lack functional Ethernet network adapters. In order to add a local computer to This PC, you’re going to need to find its local address and you need to pick a folder for it to open to. Bluetooth technology supports reasonably high-speed wireless connections between two computers without the need for a network fixture. If you often use the run box to access various locations or apps on your system, entering the local address each time you need to access a system on the network can be tedious. A computer with minimal memory, disk storage and processor power designed to connect to a network, especially the Internet. You can enter the address in the run box and the device will ‘open’ in File Explorer. The network settings on each computer are appropriately configured. Here’s how you can add a network computer to This PC on Windows 10. The computer will appear under the Network section. On Macs, Windows, and Linux systems, you can use ipconfig to get the local address. Give the device a name and click Next, and then Next again. Bluetooth is commonly used when networking a computer with a consumer handheld device like a cellphone. Instead, they can rely on the power of the network servers. If you find mention of an alternative wireless technology called HomeRF, you can safely ignore it.

Most desktop and older computers do not possess Bluetooth capability. Use this handy list to help you decide. If you often need to access a computer on your network, it might be easier to just add it to This PC. In the window that opens, click Next. The conventional method to network two computers involves making a dedicated link by plugging one cable into the two systems. Rather than cable two computers directly, the computers can be joined indirectly through a central network fixture. From A3 to ZZZ we list 1,559 text message and online chat abbreviations to help you translate and understand today's texting lingo. Serial and parallel cables are never used to network more than two computers. The idea behind network computers is that many users who are connected to a network don't need all the computer power they get from a typical personal computer. Network computers designed to connect to the Internet are sometimes called Internet boxes, Net PCs, and Internet appliances. If you look at the navigation bar on the left, you will see that the computer also appears under This PC when you expand it. Learn different types of networks, concepts, architecture and... Read More », Learn about each of the five generations of computers and major technology developments that have led to the computing devices that we use... Read More », MSISDN - Mobile Station International Subscriber Directory Number.

The standard Ethernet solutions are generally reliable and offer high performance. The Ethernet method is the preferred choice as it supports a reliable, high-speed connection with minimal configuration required. Required fields are marked *. To make dedicated connections with Ethernet, USB, serial, or parallel cables requires that: One phone line or power cord cannot be used to directly connect two computers for networking. Michael Heine is a CompTIA-certified writer, editor, and Network Engineer with 25+ years' experience working in the television, defense, ISP, telecommunications, and education industries. Infrared networking existed on laptops years before either Wi-Fi or Bluetooth technologies became popular. You need an Ethernet crossover cable, a null modem serial cable or parallel peripheral cable, or special-purpose USB cables. If one of your computers possesses an Ethernet adapter, but the other has USB, an Ethernet crossover cable can be used by first plugging a USB-to-Ethernet converter unit into the computer's USB port.