rec.autos.simulators

I want to network two computers so I can race someone else in NASCAR 4.
I know I need two computers/wheels/footpedals and network cards. But
from here I need some assistance.

Do I need a server or will the two computers networked peer to peer
work? The two computer setups will be side by side.

Can someone point me in the right direction?

Thanks!!

Ted

Hi Ted,

Peer-to-peer will work fine.  Here are some of your options:

1. You can buy an inexpensive hub with 2 ethernet cards:

   http://www.linksys.com/products/product.asp?prid=13&grid=12

2. Buy 2 good ethernet cards (3COM for example) and get a null 10BaseT
cable.

3. If you already have ethernet cards, just get a null 10BaseT cable.

Jason.

--
Jason Monds
http://www.proracingclub.com - Pro Racing Club! (N4, GPL, Fun Run Sims)
http://www.racersdomain.com  - Race hosting.
(Please remove 'no extra spork' when replying)

For connecting two computers together you need a CROSSOVER cable, not a cat
5. It is a cat 5 cable but it's wired differently. You do not need a router
or a hub. See this site, http://www.annoyances.org/win98/features/ics.html.
Use Internet Connection Sharing (ICS) in Win 98, it works fine.

Hi Ted,

Peer-to-peer will work fine.  Here are some of your options:

1. You can buy an inexpensive hub with 2 ethernet cards:

   http://www.linksys.com/products/product.asp?prid=13&grid=12

2. Buy 2 good ethernet cards (3COM for example) and get a null 10BaseT
cable.

3. If you already have ethernet cards, just get a null 10BaseT cable.

Jason.

--
Jason Monds
http://www.proracingclub.com - Pro Racing Club! (N4, GPL, Fun Run Sims)
http://www.racersdomain.com  - Race hosting.
(Please remove 'no extra spork' when replying)

What does ICS have to do with connecting two computers together for
network play?

It is really very simple:

1. Put network cards in both computers
2. Connect the two cards with a crossover cable
3. Install the TCP/IP protocol on both computers (if not installed
already.)
4. Make the IP of one computer 192.168.1.1, the other 192.168.1.2
5. Set up one computer as server and connect to its IP with the other
computer.
6. Voila -- network game.

Todd Walker
GPLRank: +72.27
twalker at jam dot rr dot com
http://twalker.d2g.com/gpl

My bad. You are correct. That was the way I did it. I wasn't thinking about
not having to share an internet connection.

What does ICS have to do with connecting two computers together for
network play?

It is really very simple:

1. Put network cards in both computers
2. Connect the two cards with a crossover cable
3. Install the TCP/IP protocol on both computers (if not installed
already.)
4. Make the IP of one computer 192.168.1.1, the other 192.168.1.2
5. Set up one computer as server and connect to its IP with the other
computer.
6. Voila -- network game.

Todd Walker
GPLRank: +72.27
twalker at jam dot rr dot com
http://twalker.d2g.com/gpl

As Jason said, you don't need a server at all.

I just wanted to add that if you aren't the hardware guru type, then you can
pick up ready-to-go 'network packs', which contain 2 or 3 network cards and
all the required cabling.  You usually end up paying >30% more this way, but
it's a good option if you think you might struggle to setup the network
yourself.

To be honest, setting up and network isn't that difficult.  Install the
cards, install the drivers, make sure either TCP/IP or IPX is bound over the
network, check the workgroup name is the same on both PCs, check you have
terminators on either end of the cable, that's all there is to it really.

Make sure you get 100 MBit network cards btw.

Thanks to everyone for the help! I think I've got it now except for:

"5. Set up one computer as server and connect to its IP with the other
computer."

Could I get a little more detail about doing this? How do I designate one to be
the server?

Thanks again!

Ted

I believe this simply refers to running a multiplayer game once the machines
are networked. One hosts (the server) the other connects to it (the client)

He means doing this in Nascar4.  Tell it to host the game and the other PC
will connect to that PC's hosted game via it's IP address.

Hey Ted,

Here is a web site that should help you out.  It is written in non-technical terms,
so everyday PC users should be able to follow what they suggest.

http://www.practicallynetworked.com/networking/lan.htm

 I read that you have it figured out, but this information may also be helpful.
Internet sharing, pros and cons to software solutions, pros and cons to hardware
solutions.  If you have a broadband connection or thinking of it, especially if two
of you are going to play online, a hardware router is the way to go when linking up
your two computers.  Four port 10/100 routers with lan gateway are less than $100.

This site is also helpful in the area of security when you have a lan and are
connected to the Internet.  When you are connected to the Internet, you do not want
your lan exposed to everyone.

I have two computers connected with a Netgear RT-314 4 port router ($99) and two
SMC NIC cards ($5 each) and a Motorola Surfboard Cable Modem.  Works great, and the
wife loves it too!

Any questions post back, and good luck!

Gary

Wow! Thanks for all the input! I've got it figured out now. Thanks for the web site on
the LAN...that will come in handy for the next phase of online playing.

Thanks again!

Ted