How to make a direct Ethernet link on a particular port between two computers
How to make a direct Ethernet link on a particular port between two computers
I have two computers in the office—one dedicated to heavy processing and rendering, running around the clock. The other is my primary workstation. I want these machines linked directly via Ethernet for seamless data sharing without relying on routers or switches. Right now, I can reach each PC without issues, but the traffic goes through the internet connection from both devices, which acts like a bottleneck. I’ve already tried connecting them directly with a cable, and I’m trying to understand how to prioritize data transfer over that link instead. The setup includes several ports: one for internet, direct Ethernet to an external NAS, Ethernet to processing PC, two ports on the workstation itself, and a network switch connection for the NAS.
Ensure the two network cards are connected with a standard Ethernet cable. The cards should automatically recognize the connector layout and function correctly. If problems arise, create a custom crossover cable by swapping the wire order in the second Ethernet port: many pre-made cables are 100 Mbps crossovers—only swap the orange and green pairs, keeping the rest untwisted. For gigabit speeds, all four pairs must be properly twisted. After setting this up, assign unique IP addresses to each device and use a matching subnet mask. Internal IP ranges such as 192.168.100.1/24 or 192.168.0.0/24 are recommended. If your router assigns IPs in the 192.168.x.x range, you can differentiate traffic by using .100.1 and .100.2 to avoid unintended routing.
You've configured both devices with the same IPv4 address, but the network detection isn't working as expected. The PCs are still identifying themselves as part of an unrecognized network despite being on the right ports. Check the network settings, ensure the IP is correctly assigned, and verify there are no firewall or routing issues preventing proper mapping.
The IP addresses on your primary network are likely in the 192.168.0.x range. You should use a unique identifier for the direct interface instead of the standard ones.
You're checking how the remote drives are being accessed through specific paths. Make sure the network settings on both devices are configured to private mode to prevent unauthorized access.