Setting Up Network 101

PC-to-PC System Link

PC-to-PC gaming is usually only good for games that only have two players. PC-to-PC general networks are also just as limited. A small network like this can only really be used to transfer files and settings directly from one computer to another. Strategy games usually fall into this category. So the following will be needed for this kind of network.

Requirements

• Two Computers running Windows XP
• A NIC Card in each computer – 10Mbps
• A legit version of the same game for each computer
• Crossover cable (this is a special cable!)

Step 1: Connect one end of the crossover cable to the NIC port of one computer. Connect the other end of the same crossover cable to the NIC port of the other computer. Congratulations! You’ve just made a network. It won’t work as is, we still need to set up the software.

Step 2: Configuring windows to hold the network.

• Click Start->Control Panel->Network and Internet Connections->Network Connections
• Right click on Local Area Connection
• Select properties
• Select TCP/IP from the list and click on Properties
• Select use following IP address
• Enter IP address as 192.168.0.1, subnet mask: 255.255.255.0, default gateway is empty.
• Click Start. Right click on My Computer
• Select Properties
• Supply workgroup name, this should be identical for both computers
• Select OK.

Step 3: Hosting and Joining a game on the new network

• Open up your software on both computers
• Depending on the game find the host game button on one computer
• Fill out the info it asks
• Click find game on LAN on the other computer
• Select the game and click join
• Play