HOW TO: How to create a LAN?

Thinking of connecting your PCs at home or office to share data and printers between them with a static connection but unsure of the steps or the equipment required to make the connection possible? You got the right URL! Forget the routers and any other equipment 'cos we will tell you the simplest and the cheapest way to connect two PCs together with a simple cross-cable connection that would not even cost you Rs 100 for the whole connection.

Material Required:

1. Two PCs running Windows (ofcourse)  
2. Cross-over cable 
   For this you can get a ready-made ethernet cable from the market or you can make one yourself too, using your DIY skills. For making your own cable of personalised length and quality, you would require
   • cat 5e or cat 6 Lan cable
   • RJ 45 connector (to be connected at both the ends of cable) and

   

   RJ 45 Connector

   • RJ 45 Crimping tool
   You can google for the guide on how to make a cross-over cable.

Ethernet Cable (cross-over)

Procedure:

1. Connecting the PCs.
   Keep both the PCs at considerable distance such that length of wire taken is sufficient to connect each of them. Now insert the either ends of the cable to the Ethernet port at to back of each PC.
2. PC Settings.Now in order to make the connection successful, we need to alter some settings of the network card of both the PCs.
   Firstly, both the PCs must have a Unique Name and a Common Workgroup. Check How to Change Computer Name and Workgroup in Windows.
   Assign a unique Computer Name to each PC and a Common Workgroup from the above Guide.
3. Network Settings.
   i. Open Control Panel.
   ii. Click on Network and Sharing Centre.
   
   
   
   iii. Then under your active networks, Click on Ethernet.
   
   
   
   iv. Click on Properties in the Ethernet Status pop up window.
   
   
   v. Scroll down to Internet Protocol version 4 (TCP/IPv4) option. Select it and click on Properties.
   
   
   vi. In the new pop up window, click on Use the following IP address: radio button and enter the unique IP Address and Subnet Mask in each computer's settings.
        For Example: Type 192.168.0.1 in IP address column of First Computer and 192.168.0.2 of 2nd Computer. Keep the Subnet Mask option common as 255.255.255.0 on both computers.
   
   
   
   vii. Keep the default Gateway Field blank and then DNS options as it is.
   viii. Click Close Twice and you are done! :D
   
   
   
   Happy Sharing!
   If you get any issue creating LAN or sharing files through the connection, just post in the comments section below! :D
   
   Please  Hit +1, if that was helpful to you!
   
   -Aman Khurana
   Tech do Pyaza!