How do I connect my two computers through LAN?

Hey, I just would like to know how I would connect two of my computers through an ethernet cable.

I have a wired router from linkskeys but I don't know if I will need it considering I am not trying to connect to the internet but just connect the two computers together.

So what do I do?

Something dealing with network connections in the control pannel I am assuming.

10 points to anyone to correct answer

Thanks

How do I connect my two computers through LAN?systemworks

Connect both computers using a router then give them IP addresses like stated above ( 192.168.1.1 %26 192.168.1.2)

How do I connect my two computers through LAN?windows

%26gt;Hardwire them to a numbered port.

%26gt;Make sure they have the same worgroup name but unique computer name. Right click My Computer then select Properties. You can check there. (If you change the names, the pc may ask you to restart.)

%26gt;Then Control Panel%26gt;Network Connections%26gt;Right click Local Area Network and select properties. 3 things you need checked on that list: Client for Microsoft Network, File %26 Printer Sharing, TCP/IP.
Use the Linksys router. It will give each computer a local IP address and allow them to communicate.
Assuming both computers have unused ethernet ports, you use an Ethernet Crossover cable. Don't use a patch cable if you're connecting two computers directly. Patch cables are for use with routers/switches/hubs/etc. Not sure if you'll need to do anything else. I seem to recall that the computers involved will fall back to using "automatic private addresses" but it seems to me that those addresses worked for LAN gaming. My main experience has been with using ICS with a crossover cable.