Does crossover cable networking works the same as using ethernet switch for 2-pc?
Is the crossover connection FULL DUPLEX or HALF DUPLEX?
And what software do i need for the connection to work?
Thanx

If your using a switch or hub you won't want crossover cable, just plain cat5.

If your just connecting two PC's together with cable then you'll need crossover cable.

Shouldn't need any software, just TCP/IP which is built into your OS. All you'll need to do is setup your IP's, gateway etc.

I agree with TheCaptain2K1 on connecting two PC's together with a crossover cable. That's basically what a crossover cable is for, connecting two similar devices to each other via CAT5 cable.(CAT5 is actually the name of the cable(itself) you're using between the connector of the cable; the connectors are called RJ-45)

The way you wire the RJ-45 connectors depends on whether you call it a "Crossover", "Straight Through", or "Roll Over"(sometimes called a Console Cable).

Straight Through is basically Pin 1 on one end is the same as Pin 1 on the other end, all the way to Pin 8.

Crossover has Pair 2 and Pair 3 wires switched, hence why it's called a crossover cable.

Roll Over(console cable), is basically wire one end:1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8 and the other end:8,7,6,5,4,3,2,1 . These are usually used for pluggin' into a router or switch through the back to configure them.

And as the TheCaptain2K1 said, no special software needed other than your OS and making sure your TCP/IP stack is configured right.

As far as your connection being Half-Duplex or Full-Duplex, depends on how you set up your NIC. You should be able to configure your NICs to run either, sometimes you can set it up to Auto and let it decide how to run. If capable, I'ld run it Full-Duplex, as that way you can "Send" and "Recieve" data at the same time, Half-Duplex only does one or the other, one at a time(you get more collisions with a Half-Duplex). If you can use a Switch rather than a Hub, then go for it(the switch).

Sorry if I rambled and went into more detail than needed, got carried away:D

HTH

Islasian4Life

Thanx