Networking theory
Networking theory
That sounds reasonable. It seems like a peer-to-peer setup could work well for nearby tasks. Using a caching server might be better if you need to access the web.
A ring structure is possible, but other options exist as well. The main concern seems to be the interface the operating system considers most efficient. You may need to adjust the interface settings to guide the system on the best route for communication between devices.
You're asking if it's just about linking those two PCs together. It's more involved than it seems. First, if they're older systems, you'll need a crossover Ethernet cable. Next, set up static IP addresses because there isn't a DHCP server available. Finally, figuring out how to use the 1Gbps connection is tricky—some programs won't work or require special setup, especially for things like game streaming. For testing, you could try connecting them directly, but you won't need the internet for local transfers, will you?
I considered doing it, but if it demands too much effort, I’d prefer to keep at 100Mb/s—it’s just a backup, after all... So... yeah. It doesn’t matter.
It’s best to use a Gigabit switch and connect one Ethernet cable from your router to it, then plug the computers in. You could also think about swapping out the router for one that already includes a Gigabit switch—it might boost your internet speed a bit.