Networking 2 compy's...

[VTEC]

Me and TC have been looking at getting 1 or more 486's and I was wanting to network them together. I just want to maintain a stable connection between the two 486's. But...since it's 1/4 past 2 in the morning and I ran out of Pepsi, I forget if you can maintain an active connection between two comp's without active internet access. This is of course with 2 ethernet cards (and the networking cables) I want to basically run DOOM one on network play and possibly get a few more as well as a HUB and set up a Doom network in my house. Will this work without an active internet connection? I'm pretty sure it will. But like I said lol its now 2AM and I ran outta fuel :o so get back to me on this one when ya can...Thanks

[smurfy]

Absolutely, you don't need to connect any of the machines to the internet to get a small LAN up and running.
2 machines = 2 machines, 2 NICs, Crossover Ethernet cable.
3 or more machines = 3 machines, 3 NICs, Hub and straight through Ethernet cables.

BUT a SWITCH is better option than a HUB as it will help in avoding packet collisions but since you are using old machines the game performance will probably not be adversely affected by packet collisions anyway.

[ceh383]

Just make sure you get the correct NIC's. The 486's probably don't have PCI slots, so you'll need ISA NIC's.

[VTEC]

Thanks for your help. Yeah I was pretty sure, but I didn't want to spend a whack of cash on the networking hardware and software to only find out I was too have an internet connection..Thanks once again.

[VTEC]

Alright, I've got it basically figured out. I will network 2 486's for me and TC and run basic filesharing and network Doom play. Can you give me suggestions for network cards? preferrably the cheapest ones that will run on windows 95 and basically install themselves or come with a driver.

[ceh383]

Look at the top card HERE (http://www.bootroms.com/catalog/default.php/cPath/50).