How can I connect two machines locally without using Internet?

I want to access a second machine using my primary machine.
I need a functionality similar to Remote Desktop Connection, but without actually using Internet.
Both the machines have bluetooth, but I dont think that would be able to provide sufficient bandwith.
I also have a spare CAT5 cable that I can use.

Any suggestions how I can connect these two machines?

The main purpose as of now is to run Windows on first machine and Ubuntu on second, and then control both from the first machine.

Lazer

Posted 2010-10-09T21:50:39.507

Reputation: 13 841

Answers

Connect the 2 machines using the cat5 cable. The NICs should do auto-mdix so you don't have to care if you have a crossover cable or not.
Configure the two PC in the same subnet. e.g PC1 192.168.1.1 Subnet-mask: 255.255.255.0; PC2 192.168.1.2 Subnet-Mask 255.255.255.0;
Install NoMachine NX Server on Ubuntu
Install NoMachine NX Client on Windows-Box

Info: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NX_technology https://help.ubuntu.com/community/FreeNX

omnibrain

Posted 2010-10-09T21:50:39.507

Reputation: 454

1@Lazer I've not had much luck getting NX running. If you find yourself in a similar situation, try VNC (sudo apt-get install vncserver) and grab yourself your favorite VNC client for windows. – Darth Android – 2010-10-09T22:05:32.677

Connect them both through a cat 5 crossover cable. Set the IP of the first machine static to 192.168.1.1 or something of the kind and the IP on the second machine static to 192.168.1.2.

If 192.168.1.2 is your machine that runs RDP, you could just connect the RDP client to 192.168.1.2.

BloodPhilia

Posted 2010-10-09T21:50:39.507

Reputation: 27 374

1Nowadays, most Ethernet devices will reverse the wire pairs if needed (it's even enough if one of them does it) so crossover cables are seldom needed. – Gilles 'SO- stop being evil' – 2010-10-09T22:49:15.140

Auto-sensing is part of the gigabit ethernet standard. – paradroid – 2010-10-10T05:26:14.147

Internet has nothing to do with remote desktop ...

If you have any DSL router, switch or hub, just connect both computers with a UTP (you'll need 2) , assign IP addresses (if there is no any DHCP available) and use remote desktop.

VNC is another option, works all right, but is slow and have screen refresh issues.

Alex Angelico

Posted 2010-10-09T21:50:39.507

Reputation: 647