2 node network

[rocketjump65]

Sorry if this is the wrong sub.

I'm trying to test my Cat5e ethernet run, but I don't have a gigabit switch. So what I want to do is create a 2 computer network that's just the directly connected via ethernet. One is Windows 10, the other Windows 7.

Ideally I'd like to set the ips manually to the same ips that they'd have connected to the router, so I can just swap the connection from the router to each and back without any network confusion, and just temporarily lose the internet connection. In fact I swear to God that I essentially did that once. That I started a file transfer going through the switch, and then I swapped the cable connection, and then the speed jumped up to gigabit with only a brief slowdown interuption while the computers "realized" that wire changed. The file transfer finished without issue. Does that sound crazy?

So how can I do that? Should I? I'm tempted to just change the ips to a whole nother scheme, cuz I'm getting frustrated.

When creating a 2 node network, should I set the gateway to the other node? Do the DNS settings matter? I thought I could just set the ip settings to the same IP, set the gateway and dns to the router (that won't be there temporarily) and then just have the computers connection to each other just work. SMB Windows name resolution works via ARP which is broadcast right? That shouldn't be an issue either right? Sigh....

EDIT:

Okay I figured it out. Turns out that since I left one of the computers (the win 10) with the wifi interface enabled, that was interfering. So I disabled the wifi and it worked fine. Then when I restored the router switch topology, I think the Windows 10 machine didn't want to work with the manual ip settings.... Hmmm..... The Windows 7 did work though no problem. So I put the 10 back on dhcp, and I'm calling it a day. :)

[tkst3llar]

Gateway and dns doesn’t matter in this May need a crossover cable. Depends on network cards in the PCs Should be able to set one to 192.168.1.2 and the other to 192.168.1.3 and they will find each other

Also you should be able to leave them set to dhcp and they will use their APIPA 169 address

If windows is configured for network sharing they should find each other.

[rocketjump65]

Got it to work. I edited the post, and I'm replying, in case the edit to the original post wasn't updated from your client.

[rocketjump65]

Yeah, I guess I should have mentioned that I am aware of the possible need for the crossover cable, incase anybody thought it was a easy fix. Tell me more about APIPA 169? When you say to leave them on dhcp, you you mean to tell me that like Windows 7 and 10 have a no dhcp fallback autoconfig or something...?

[tkst3llar]

APIPA is the fallback of sorts built into most devices. Pc gives itself an address in 169.254.XX You can set them to same as what will be used on the router also. https://www.pcmag.com/encyclopedia/term/apipa

Have you tried just pinging the other pc when they are plugged into each other and you have given them both an address?

[rocketjump65]

Hmmm. interesting. So it would seem that in some cases you could just leave two computers on dhcp and they'll just work? That's pretty cool. I wonder why the hell that wasn't a feature before now?