RJ11 direct connection internet connection sharing?

Hi all,

All of my research so far indicates that the answer to this question
is likely no, but I figured I have nothing to lose by asking it in
this forum -

I have two laptops, one running Win XP Pro SP3, the other running Win
XP Pro 2008 SP3.

The one running Win XP Pro SP3 has an ethernet connection to the
internet; the other doesn't. I want to connect the two computers via
an RJ11 telephone cable to set up a small home network to share the
internet connection, files and applications, and to set the two
computers up in a client/server configuration for some W2K3 exercises
(via VirtualBox).

I know I can just use a crossover cable to connect the two computers
but don't want to lose the internet connection (it's needed for some
of the exercises) or get a hub/switch/splitter (don't have any of
those at hand right now).

I do have an old RJ11 lying around, wondered if there was any way I
could get that to work, and became fascinated by the idea.

So, is there any way to basically get the functionality of a direct
ethernet connection between two computers using an RJ11 cable?

I'm dying to know.

Thanks,

prodeji

On 02/07/2009 09:06 PM, prodeji sent:
Hi all,

All of my research so far indicates that the answer to this question
is likely no, but I figured I have nothing to lose by asking it in
this forum -

I have two laptops, one running Win XP Pro SP3, the other running Win
XP Pro 2008 SP3.

The one running Win XP Pro SP3 has an Ethernet connection to the
internet; the other doesn't. I want to connect the two computers via
an RJ11 telephone cable to set up a small home network to share the
internet connection, files and applications, and to set the two
computers up in a client/server configuration for some W2K3 exercises
(via VirtualBox).

I know I can just use a crossover cable to connect the two computers
but don't want to lose the internet connection (it's needed for some
of the exercises) or get a hub/switch/splitter (don't have any of
those at hand right now).

I do have an old RJ11 lying around, wondered if there was any way I
could get that to work, and became fascinated by the idea.

So, is there any way to basically get the functionality of a direct
Ethernet connection between two computers using an RJ11 cable?

I'm dying to know.

Thanks,

prodeji

Hello prodeji:

Some obvious confusion needs to be corrected.

Lest I've missed something, a cable terminated in RJ11-4 connectors does
nothing more than allow your laptop, that currently lacks Ethernet
capability, to connect its possible internal analog modem with plain old
telephone service. (POTS)

The laptop that does have Ethernet capability probably uses an RJ45-8
connector that allows a digital connection between that laptop's
internal Network Interface Card (NIC) with external Ethernet based
devices. If only four wires are used in the external cable, only 10Mbit
Ethernet service is supported. If all eight wires are used 10Mbit
service and possibly 100Mbit service is a possibility. Crossover
Ethernet cables can digitally connect one computer's NIC to another
computer's NIC.

You stated in your third paragraph that one of the laptops has no
current hardware to support Ethernet. If that laptop has PCMCIA slots
or an unused USB connector, an Ethernet connection is a possibility with
a USB based Ethernet adapter or a PCMCIA Ethernet card. This also
assumes that neither has wireless capability.

I would suggest procuring an inexpensive router and an Ethernet adapter
so that both laptops can digitally "see" the Internet as well as each other.

If this is still unclear, please post a follow-up with your inquiries.

Pete
--
1PW @?6A62?FEH9E=6o2@=]4@ [r4o7t]

prodeji wrote:
Hi all,

All of my research so far indicates that the answer to this question
is likely no, but I figured I have nothing to lose by asking it in
this forum -

I have two laptops, one running Win XP Pro SP3, the other running Win
XP Pro 2008 SP3.

The one running Win XP Pro SP3 has an ethernet connection to the
internet; the other doesn't. I want to connect the two computers via
an RJ11 telephone cable to set up a small home network to share the
internet connection, files and applications, and to set the two
computers up in a client/server configuration for some W2K3 exercises
(via VirtualBox).

I know I can just use a crossover cable to connect the two computers
but don't want to lose the internet connection (it's needed for some
of the exercises) or get a hub/switch/splitter (don't have any of
those at hand right now).

I do have an old RJ11 lying around, wondered if there was any way I
could get that to work, and became fascinated by the idea.

So, is there any way to basically get the functionality of a direct
ethernet connection between two computers using an RJ11 cable?

I'm dying to know.

Thanks,

prodeji

If I'm reading your post correctly, both of your laptops have RJ-45
Ethernet ports. RJ-11 has no place in the conversation -- the most that it
can be useful for in a computer context is connection to a telephone line
and that won't help in your problem.

It would appear that the shortest path to connecting both computers to the
internet would be to have an extra RJ-45 network port on the
internet-connected computer. This could be used with a crossover cable to
connect the other laptop using ICS (internet connection sharing). This is
far from the easiest method though. By far that would be the purchase of a
cheap router/switch. If you look for bargains you can probably find this
piece of equipment for not much more that what a good USB to Ethernet
adapter might cost to add the second Ethernet port to the first computer.

Just my $0.02...

--
John McGaw
http://johnmcgaw.com

Hi guys

Thanks so much for the responses,

Pete, I think I'm at fault for not being clear; both of the laptops
have ethernet ports and NICs but only one is currently connected to
the net. This same laptop does also have a wireless NIC but the other
doesn't, so I can't connect them to each other wirelessly. I do have
wireless signals but they're not reliable so I can't rely on wireless
internet connectivity.

Pete/John, I guess I will have to go the 'sensible' route and get a
switch/router; I was just fascinated with the idea. I did come across
this article:

http://www.computing.net/answers/win...ere/10182.html

that says you can connect the computers modem to modem for simple file
transfer and wondered if you can establish a connection period,
couldn't you also share internet connection/applications.

I'm new to this so call it youthful ignorance.

Well, I'm off to buy a router!!

lol

Thanks guys

prodeji