How to connect Windows XP to 7/8 through LAN using an RJ-45 connector cable..?

Recently, i played Need For Speed Most Wanted in a LAN mode. I faced a lot of difficulty in making up the connection. But, i knew the exact way to establish the connection.

Lets start making the connection -

•  Turn on both the machines ( in my case,i used desktop with XP and LAPTOP with 7 )
• Connect the machines via cable
• It would show limited connectivity in XP & 7 would say it as unidentified network.
  This is because sometimes the IPs of the PCs may be identical, leading to duplicate IP addresses in the network
• Firstly, you need to decide, which machine you want to make as server. You should choose that machine which has comparably good performance.
• In my case, i choose desktop (XP). Goto Network Connections and select properties ( right click appropriate network and then select properties ). By default, following window appears

• Select properties of 'Internet Protocol (TCP/IP)'

                     

• select 'Use the following IP address' and enter details as following window and its done for XP machine

• For Windows 7, Goto Network and sharing centre
• Select your network(it may be unidentified network) and goto lan connection, following window will appear.

• click on properties button,and following window will appear.
• scroll for IPv4 and click on properties.

• Then enter details as follows.

 Its done.The computers are connected..!!!

Note - for multiple computers(using a switch or a hub), while configuring network IP addresses, on third position write the significant numbers 3,4,5,etc.

Example - For third computer, in the IP address field, write 192.168.0.3 and other fields should be kept same.

My opinion - I would prefer router, in place of switch/hub, as it is a smarter device and assigns IP addresses itself to all nodes and maintains network intelligently.

- Vish