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Communication between 2 computers
Can 2 computers communicate with each other, even in a limited way, when they are connected only with a USB cable?
Thank you,
Can 2 computers communicate with each other, even in a limited way, when they are connected only with a USB cable?
Thank you,
With the right kind of USB cable - yes. You need a USB cross-over (networking) cable. An ethernet cross-over cable also works if both computers have a network port.
Basically, the wires "cross over" so the out-going signal of one computer goes to the in-bound connection of the other computer. And vice versa. Can be a speedy way to exchange files.
Hello RogerR,
Between USB and Ethernet cables, Is either of them superior to, or more advantageous than the other for this purpose.
Thank you,
Last edited by Melita; 12 Dec 2014 at 11:08. Reason: To correct
Superior and advantageous are subjective terms that depend on how they are defined.
But USB wasn't designed for communication between computers and has some serious limitations when used for this purpose. According to the USB2 specifications the maximum length of such a cable is only 5 meters. For USB3 the recommended limit is about 3 meters. Having more than 2 computers in such a "network" is very problematic. A standard Ethernet cable can be up to 100 meters in length, much more for some types of fiber cable.
USB was designed for connection to computer peripherals, not other computers. That is what network cables were designed for. Unless you have some very special requirements you would use the connection method designed for the purpose.