One Answer:
It is possible to connect two computers without using a hub by using a switch instead. A switch is better than a hub because it creates a collision domain (CD) and stops them from happening when two devices try and send frames at the same time. Rather than buying a cross-over cable to connect two computers together, you can use two straight-through cables (your average, everyday network cable) and connect them to a switch. This also allows for growth where you can add more computers to the switch if the network grows.
Another Answer:
With Ethernet, you can use a crossover cable to connect two computers without using a hub, switch, or existing network. Crossover cables are Ethernet cables that have the send and receive wires (pins) switched along the length of the cable. The pins that send information from one computer are connected to the pins that receive information for the second computer. You can use a regular cable if they are modern computers.
The only possible solution is setting up ad hoc wireless network between these 3 computers, but you will need 3 wireless adapters.
Setting Up Ad Hoc Wireless Network in Windows XP http://www.home-network-help.com/ad-hoc-wireless-network.HTML
Without a hub, you will have to use crossover cables (not standard or 'patch' cables).
It is very possible and it is facilitated if you have windows XP on the muiltihomed computer, basicaly bridge the two network conections (done auto in winxp) otherwise if the multihome computer doesnt have win xp you have two create two different networks with different ip address then then bind both NIC to both networks, that's each NIC should have two IP addresses. More simply use the center computer as the gate way under the default gateway. REMEMBER ALL THE CABLES INVOLVED ARE CROSSLINKED.
If the computers all have NIC cards then you would probably be better offby using a switch or a router even a wireless router they don't cost more than 40 or 60 dollars. You don't want to use a Hub they are passe.(No Good Any More)
You need to buy a wireless broadband router that has the ability to network 4 PC's. Then you need a wireless network adapter for each PC you are going to hub off of the main PC with the wireless broadband router. The wireless usb network adapters by Linksys, I think is the way to go. It might be a little extra money, but it's worth it.
Get three Ethernet cables. Plug each cable into the back of each computer and the other side into the hub. The computers are now networked and should be able to see each other, share files, etc.
To connect to a computer hub, you should connect a ethernet cable from your computer to the computer hub. Each computer should be plugged into one of the various ports on the computer hub.
ports
the advantage of the network is see all computers in one hub
A LAN network adapter, a LAN cable and a switch or hub.
A network hub is designed to connect multiple computers,so only one is neccessary.
The Startech.com Network Hub
a hub
Yes you acn use a hub to connect your computers. Just connect a cat5 network cable from each of your computers to the hub. It doesn't matter which port you plug the cat5 cable into on the hub. they are all the same. Also, if you might be interested in making your own cat5 cables. I have added a link on how to do ths.
wireless
It is used to connect the computers to the hub
Unfortunately not. RJ45 Straight cables, are for use with hubs / switches and routers. If you want to network 2 pc's together without a hub, you need a cross over RJ45 cable. Hope this helps be safe Cadishead Computers
To do that, an additional device is required, a network hub or a network switch, which all computers in the network segment should have to be connected to.
Yes. That is the designed function.