Can I take two computers (laptops both) and plug them together directly from one nic to another with a "standard" ethernet cable? Or do I need a crossover cable or something to do that? And if I have the correct cable, will the two machines do some sort of peer-to-peer networking more or less automagically or will it be difficult to set up? One runs FC2, the other Mac OS X 10.3.7.You will need a crossover cable or a small four to eight port hub with a cable from one Linux laptop to the hub and another cable from the Mac to the hub. You will need to configure networking on both the Linux box (system-network-config or System Preferences -> Network) for the Ethernet card to exist on a private network for the connection to the hub. You will also need to setup the Mac for Network connection.
When I say a private network, you will need to use private IP space for the network. Most small networks are setup on like the following:
Computer #1 (most likely your Linux laptop), IP address, 198.168.1.1, subnet mask 255.255.255.0 (or 198.168.1.1/24) with a gateway address of 198.168.1.1. Computer #2 (your Mac) would be setup with an IP address of 198.168.1.2, subnet mask of 255.255.255.0 with a gateway address of 198.168.1.1 (I may have the first octet of the IP address incorrect, but you should have a general idea of what needs to happen.)
Good luck with your new network.
James McKenzie
