Connecting two Desktops and using Wifi

[ZMan74]

I have two desktop computers and I do a lot of video editing between them. I was using an Ethernet cable to transfer the files but every time I would it would grab the network connection off of the main computer. Both of the computers are connecting over wifi but the transfer speeds are only 4 Mbps when using wireless. Is there a recommended way to transfer files between the two computers fast?

 

[mrmez]

Unless you have thunderbolt, ethernet will be the most reliable.
You might need to temporarily turn off wifi on 1 computer while you transfer to force ethernet.

On my iMac I use ethernet, but can also turn on wifi.
It's smart enough to use ethernet mostly, but not solely, as the wifi can vary between ~800-1,300Mbs.
But it will STILL use wifi over ethernet if the speed is reliably faster, and I can see this with the network utility.

 

[rhysiam]

You can actually connect the computers directly using an ethernet cable such that it doesn't impact on the rest of your network. In the old days you would have required a cross-over ethernet cable, but most NICs are auto-sensing now. If you plug a cable into both computers do you get the light indicating a connection? If not (I'd be very surprised) then you need to source a cross over cable like this: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=9SIA91J43R9578&cm_re=crossover_ethernet_cable-_-12-296-258-_-Product

Once you get a light indicating connectivity, you'll need to manually give each PC a static IP address on a private range.

Are both devices running Windows?

Follow a guide like this one to assign separate static IPs to both computers: http://www.howtogeek.com/howto/19249/how-to-assign-a-static-ip-address-in-xp-vista-or-windows-7/

A couple of things:
- Make sure you're changing the IP for the Ethernet connection - not your wireless connection... changing the settings on your current wireless connection will result in you losing that connection (and Internet, etc), you don't want that!
- You want them on a different subnet to your current wireless LAN
- They need to be different IP addresses, but on the same subnet
- DO NOT enter a DNS server or gateway for the connection, you can just leave them blank

So something like the following should work
PC 1: IP 192.168.55.1 Subnet Mask: 255.255.255.0
PC 2: IP 192.168.55.2 Subnet Mask: (same)

Then from PC1, open File Explorer and put: \\192.168.55.2 into the address bar, enter the username and password, and you should be good to go over a Gbit ethernet connection.

 

[jsmithepa]

I was using an Ethernet cable to transfer the files but every time I would it would grab the network connection off of the main computer.

^I don't understand what you just said.

To quickly hook up an ethernet cable between the 2 PCs, just plug in the cable, the Internet icon of the system task bar should say CONNECTED. Then you should assign 2 static IP to both interfaces using a subnet OTHER THAN your WIFI. So if WIFI is using 192.168.0.0 255.255.255.0, for ethernet use 192.168.1.0 same mask. Leave both Gateway entries blank.

Is been a while since I've done this, I believe the newer Windows will automatically configure the routing table such as when you have both ethernet and wifi plugged in, ethernet takes precedence, but otherwise you will have to manipulate the routing table manually. Google.

If this is all too complicated for you, try loading a legacy protocol called NetBeui, (again Google where to find and how to install) to both ethernet adapters then you won't have to deal with IP or routing.