LAN gaming Question

TerrorFirmer

Now, I posted something like this before - sorry about having to post again, but I couldnt find the old thread.

If I have 2 pcs, both with lan cards, can I just hook them together with a standard cat5 cable or whatever and play a 2 player game?

Also - how do you know if your computer has a network card? The ethernet port, is this a network port also? Sorry for these gay questions but lan is an area I never know much about until recently, when I decided to get some games going

galwaydude18

Ya connect the with a cross over cable. If you want I can make up the cable for you to any lenght you want. I have a thread on the for sale forum offering this service to all you good people on boards!

Fobia

MobileInfantry wrote:

If I have 2 pcs, both with lan cards, can I just hook them together with a standard cat5 cable or whatever and play a 2 player game?

Yup, you just need a special kind of cat5 crimped differently (crossover isn't it?).

MobileInfantry wrote:

how do you know if your computer has a network card? The ethernet port, is this a network port also?

You check the back of the pc .Yes, the ethernet port usually refers to a 10/100 or GigE NIC in your machine.

TerrorFirmer

Great, means my p4 has a lan card then, good stuff.

Galwaydude, can you make a crossover cable for me? How do you know if a cable is crossover? I have a cable, grey colour, not sure what the heck it is tho....

galwaydude18

Ya I can make you a cross over cable no problem at all. You can tell it's a crossover by the way the ends of the cable are terminated. If you put the two ends of the cable together you will notice that they are terminated differently. Also the cable will have bigger plugs on the ends of it compared to a phone cable...

TerrorFirmer

Got a cable here, has "Cat .5E" printed all over it - can I assume this is okay for gaming?

How do you mean terminated differently? In what way?

galwaydude18

well you can if both ends of it are terminated differently. If there are not you cannot connect both pc's directly and you will have to invest in a network switch...

TerrorFirmer

galwaydude18 wrote:

well you can if both ends of it are terminated differently. If there are not you cannot connect both pc's directly and you will have to invest in a network switch...

How do you mean terminated differently? In what way?

galwaydude18

look at the way the wires are in the plugs. if they are wired differently its a crossover if they are the same on both ends then you have a straight through cable...

TerrorFirmer

galwaydude18 wrote:

look at the way the wires are in the plugs. if they are wired differently its a crossover if they are the same on both ends then you have a straight through cable...

Then look identical but the wire colours do not match opposite each other - does this mean they are terminated differently? I know I sound like such a noob - but I havent a clue about networking

TerrorFirmer

Also - how much would you pay for a crossover cable in Pc world in town? Might have to nip in there tomorrow afternoon

Unless you are based in Galway atm and could hook me up.

I think this is actually a standard cable with faded wire colour

galwaydude18

Have a look here http://www.aptcommunications.com/ncode.htm. If your cable is wired T-568B and the other end T-568A then you have a crossover cable but if both ends are wired using T-568A or T-568B you have a straight through cable...

galwaydude18

you will pay about 15 euro for a 5m crossover cable in pc world. I can make you a 5m crossover cable for a lot less than that including postage. I live in co. galway but i'm about 30 - 40 mins away from the city..

TerrorFirmer

Damn....

Thanks.

If you are based on the Athenry side of the county, I live that side of Oranmore Village? Might not be any good to you.

Was hoping to get some lan action running either today or sunday

galwaydude18

dude take a look at my last post! I can't post it twice...

TerrorFirmer

galwaydude18 wrote:

dude take a look at my last post! I can't post it twice...

I did, lol - my post above furthers this discussion

galwaydude18

sorry i'm about 15mins away from moniva if you know where it is?

TerrorFirmer

galwaydude18 wrote:

sorry i'm about 15mins away from moniva if you know where it is?

I have a mega vague idea alright. But I dont drive myself, bit of a problem

I could give you a tenner for some cable if you could by any chance meet on Oranmore Village, otherwise I guess I'll have to make a trip to rip off world in town

galwaydude18

sorry I dont drive either. I can only post it or someone could pick it up. If you could hold off until tuesday YOU WILL SAVE MORE THAN HALF THE PRICE YOU WILL PAY IN PC WORLD!

TerrorFirmer

galwaydude18 wrote:

sorry I dont drive either. I can only post it or someone could pick it up. If you could hold off until tuesday YOU WILL SAVE MORE THAN HALF THE PRICE YOU WILL PAY IN PC WORLD!

Lol okay. I'm getting the second pc for gaming tomorrow I think, the guy might have some cable hopefully - if not, I might have to go to town, as planned some gaming for sunday/tomorrow evening.

However, if theres any other reason why I cant play lan, I'll wait and get some cable off you by postage.

Thanks for all the help, much appreciated.

galwaydude18

let me know how I get on either way...

Endurance Man

That grey cable u have will work i believe .

galwaydude18

nope it won't as both ends are not wired differently.... It's not a crossover!