3 Ways to Connect Two Laptops Through LAN Network

2024 Author: Samantha Chapman | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 09:13

Connecting two laptops to each other via LAN (acronym for "Local Area Network") is a great way to be able to share data and resources quickly and easily or to play multiplayer using a stable and fast connection. The connection can be established either via a network cable or via a Wi-Fi connection. Read on to find out how.

Steps

Method 1 of 3: Wired Connection (Windows Systems)

Step 1. Get a crossover (or crossover) network cable

This is a special Ethernet cable, used to directly connect two computers via their network port. To be able to carry out this type of wiring, a crossover network cable must be used. A normal Ethernet cable will not work when used with older computers. Aesthetically, a normal and a crossed network cable are perfectly identical. To be sure you are purchasing the correct cable, ask the staff of any electronics or computer store directly.

Step 2. Insert one end of the cable into each laptop's network port

The network port is where you normally connect the Ethernet cable. When the cable connector is fully and securely inserted into the port, you will hear a slight "click".

Note that some of the more modern laptops don't come with a network port. Some computer manufacturers have chosen not to include this option in order to create ever thinner and lighter laptops. If this is the case for you, simply skip to the next section of the article which explains how to make a wireless connection

Step 3. Access the "Control Panel" of both computers

Depending on the version of Windows you are using, access to the "Control Panel" is located in different places.

• Windows 8: press the "Windows" key on the left of the keyboard, next to the "Alt" key. At this point, type in the keywords "control panel". Select its icon when it appears in the results list.
• Windows 7, Windows Vista and Windows XP: press the "Windows" key on the left of the keyboard, next to the "Alt" key. At this point, type in the keywords "control panel". Select its icon when it appears in the results list. Alternatively, you can access the "Start" menu by clicking the relative icon in the lower left corner of the desktop.

Step 4. Make sure both computers are connected to the same network and workgroup

Perform a search using the control panel text field of both machines and the keyword "system". When finished, select the "System" item that appears in the list of results. A window should appear which summarizes all the main information of the computer, such as the name of the manufacturer, the model, etc.

• Pay attention to the "Computer name, domain and workgroup settings" section, then select the "Change settings" link. A new pop-up window called "System Properties" will appear. Press the "Change" button at the bottom of the window.
• On both computers, enter the same name in the "Workgroup" text box. It doesn't matter which name you choose, the thing that matters is that it is identical on both machines.

Step 5. Windows 8 system users:

locate and select the "Network and Sharing Center" icon located in the "Control Panel". This category contains all the configuration options related to the network connection.

• It may be easier to locate it using the search field in the upper right corner of the "Control Panel".
• Select the "Change adapter settings" link on the left of the "Network and Sharing Center" window.

Step 6. Windows 7, Windows Vista and Windows XP Users:

select the "Network Connections" icon located directly in the "Control Panel". Again, using the search field in the upper right corner of the window will simplify your work.

Step 7. Select with the right mouse button the connection to the local LAN located in the "Network Connections" or "Network and Sharing Center" window, then choose "Properties" from the contextual menu that appears

Step 8. Select the "Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP / IPv4)" option located in the "The connection uses the following elements:

"At this point, press the" Properties "button.

Step 9. Select the option "Use the following IP address" in the new window that appears

This will give you the option to manually configure the network settings of both computers. Enter the following data on both machines:

• Computer 1

  • IP address: 192.168.0.1;
  • Subnet Mask: 255.255.255.0;
  • Default gateway: do not enter any value.

• Computer 2

  • IP address: 192.168.0.2;
  • Subnet Mask: 255.255.255.0;
  • Default gateway: do not enter any value.

  

  Step 10. When finished, press the "OK" button to apply the new changes

  You should now be able to share the files on the two computers via direct connection with the network cable. You may need to reboot both systems for the new changes to take effect.

  Method 2 of 3: Wireless Connection (Windows Systems)

  

  Step 1. Access the "Control Panel" of both computers

  Depending on the version of Windows you are using, access to the "Control Panel" is located in different places.

  • Windows 8: press the "Windows" key on the left of the keyboard, next to the "Alt" key. At this point, type in the keywords "control panel". Select its icon when it appears in the results list.
  • Windows 7, Windows Vista and Windows XP: press the "Windows" key on the left of the keyboard, next to the "Alt" key. At this point, type in the keywords "control panel". Select its icon when it appears in the results list. Alternatively, you can access the "Start" menu by clicking the relative icon in the lower left corner of the desktop.

  

  Step 2. Search using the text field in the upper right corner of the "Control Panel" and the keyword "HomeGroup"

  Select the "Homegroup" icon that appeared in the results list.

  

  Step 3. Press the "Create a Homegroup" button located in the lower right part of the "Homegroup" window that appeared

  Note: the button in question will be active only if the computer in use is not already part of a "Homegroup". In the latter case, you will have to leave the current group you are in

  

  Step 4. Press the "Next" button inside the popup window that appeared

  This first screen simply explains what a "Homegroup" is and what it is for.

  

  Step 5. Choose the collections of files you want to share with other computers in the "Homegroup"

  You can choose from the following options: "Images", "Documents", "Music", "Printers" and "Videos". According to your needs, select or deselect the various categories of files and devices., Then press the "Next" button.

  

  Step 6. Make a note of the password on the next screen

  This is the password that other devices will have to provide in order to access the newly created "Home Group". At this point, you can press the "Finish" button.

  

  Step 7. Within the second computer's "Homegroup" window, you should be able to see the newly created "Homegroup"

  In this case, instead of creating a new group, you will simply have to join the existing one by providing its password when prompted. You are now able to share files and resources via the wireless network connection.

  Method 3 of 3: Wired Connection (OS X Systems)

  

  Step 1. Get a crossover network cable

  This is a special Ethernet cable, used to directly connect two devices of the same type. If you have an older model of Mac, you must use this type of network cable. Buy it online or go to an electronics or computer store. A crossover network cable looks perfectly identical to a regular Ethernet cable, so make sure you've chosen the correct one before confirming your purchase.

  

  Step 2. Connect both laptop network ports using the crossover Ethernet cable

  Modern Macs no longer have a LAN port, so you'll need to purchase a dedicated USB adapter.

  When the cable connector is fully and securely inserted into the port, you will hear a slight "click"

  

  Step 3. Access the "Network" panel of both computers

  At the top of the window, you should see two drop-down menus labeled "Location" and "Show".

  

  Step 4. Select the "Active Network Ports" option located in the "Show" menu

  You should see the list of all configurable ports, for example "Integrated Modem" and "Integrated Ethernet". Make sure that this last item, "Integrated Ethernet", is checked. Press the "Apply" button to make the changes effective.

  

  Step 5. Go to the "Sharing" pane of one of the computers

  In the upper part of the window that appeared, the name of the machine in use should be displayed followed, in the lower part, by the list of available services.

  • Select the check button of the "File Sharing" service.
  • Below the list of services, there is an address starting with the prefix "afp". Take note of this information because it is what all devices will need to use to connect to your computer via the LAN.

  

  Step 6. Open a "Finder" window on the second computer

  In the menu bar at the top of the window, you should see the "Go" menu. Access the latter to select one of the available options. You should locate and select the option called "Connect to Server". To access this window directly, you can use the hot key combination "⌘K".

  

  Step 7. Enter the afp address you noted in the previous step

  A list of IP addresses will be displayed in the "Favorite Servers" box. Find and select the IP address for the first Mac, then press the "Connect" button.

  If you don't know the IP address of the other computer, check out this article to determine which one is correct

  

  Step 8. After pressing the "Connect" button, you will be asked to enter your username and password

  These are the same credentials you use when you log into the computer you are connecting to.

  

  Step 9. You will now be asked to select the volumes you wish to "mount"

  All the files on the computer you connected to are divided into different volumes. If you wish, you can choose to "mount" all volumes present. Alternatively, if you know exactly where the files of your interest are stored, you can choose to mount only the specific volume.