ad-hoc without ad-hoc?

[CB]

Is there some software that will allow a network to be set-up between two systems directly without having to go in and change the network settings to ad-hoc?

My father wants to be able to transfer files between his laptops, by just plugging a null cat5 into each one, but he doesn't want to have to go through the pain of setting up his network again everytime he does it.

Any suggestions?

[GHoosdum]

Why doesn't he just plug them both into a router?

[FreeC8675]

He needs static IP's for each Nic and a cross-over cable.

Unless you mean ad-hoc as in with wireless, then you'll need someone else's expertise.

[QCH2002]

$10 switch or hub, hell, if you're nice, I can send you an old 4-port hub.

[CB]

Why doesn't he just plug them both into a router?

That's what I told him. I couldn't get a good answer other than "Because I should be able to just plug them into each-other and start transferring files."

I don't think there's a way to do it, but I promised I would ask around.

[FreeC8675]

I don't think there's a way to do it, but I promised I would ask around.

There is a way to do it, he just has the wrong cable. He needs a cross-over cable.

[CB]

But, even with a cross over-cable, he would have to change his network settings to reflect an ad-hoc set-up, right?

[RyderOCZ]

No, he would just have to set a static IP for both PC's.

Ad-Hoc only applies to wireless networks, nothing concerning ad-hoc when setting up wired networks.

[CB]

Oh, well maybe he was talking about wireless connections then... It was a few days ago, and I've just this morning remembered to post his question...

Now, that you mention it, I remember that that was what he wanted, sorry...

Once again: I'm a nincompoop.

He wants to set two computers with wireless networking next to one another, when no hub is around, and transfer files between them.

Sorry, I know that that's actually a completely different question than my OP, but I was remembering it wrong until Ryder reminded me that ad-hoc was only for wireless, and made me start to think about why I was thinking about ad-hoc to begin with :(

Edit: My original post asked how to establish an IP for a device that's not connected t anything that gives it one, thus Ryder's explanation below...

[RyderOCZ]

EDIT: Yikes I replied too quickly...you changed everything... hahaha

Procedure is similar, but yes you need to go into the wireless config for the wireless NIC, hard to work you through that, because software will vary. But if I understand correctly, you can't do it. You need to change to Ad-HOC if your not going to have an AP (Access Point) you can't just share between 2 PC's without changing the network type. He wants to just do it without changing...not going to happen in my understanding anyway.

I will leave this in case he just decides to go wired.

Control Panel > Network connections > Local Area Connection X (might be 1, 2, 3, 4, etc. just should correspond to the NIC that you are plugging the cable in to, if there are multiple on the machine)
Right click that connection and select Properties.

Now under properties, select TCP/TP (Internet Protocol) There you will find the setting for IP, Subnet Mask and Default Gateway when you move the little radio button from "Automatically" to "use the following"

You should use something like this:

IP: 10.10.10.1
Subnet mask: 255.255.255.0
Def Gateway: 10.10.10.1

Now on the other machine... just change that last 1 to a 2 and also change the default gateway to the same.

So now you will have 10.10.10.1 and 10.10.10.2 on the network.

No manual DNS server should be needed. Just click ok, then ok, then close/ok until you are back at the network connections.

Done deal.

Now you should be able to share a directory, drive, etc on 1 and use the other PC to access it.

[CB]

Thanks, Ryder, that info will still be useful, I'll pass it on, and tell him to just keep a null cable with him. :)