Using IEEE 1394
Advanced users may want to consider setting up a network using the IEEE 1394 (sometimes known as "firewire") port on their computers. This is a high-performance serial bus that can connect up to 63 devices in a tree-like daisy-chain configuration, and transmit data at up to 400 Mbps. It supports Plug-and-Play and peer-to-peer communication between devices.
An IEEE 1394 network is especially convenient if you already use the 1394 port for a digital video camera or other device.
IEEE 1394 is a relatively new technology for home networking, and although most network functions work over it just like Ethernet, there may be some specialized programs that don't recognize the 1394 network.
For example, in some cases, not all of the computers on a 1394 network can see shared folders in My Network Places (on the Windows Me desktop). If this happens, you can connect to the computer sharing the folders by clicking Start, clicking Run, and then typing the computer name preceded by two backslashes (\\). To connect to a computer named Upstairs, for example, type \\Upstairs, and then click OK. This displays a window showing all the shared folders and printers on the computer.
Note To use this kind of network, all the networked computers must be running Windows Me.
To network two or more computers using 1394:
- Plug a six-pin to six-pin 1394 cable into the 1394 ports of all your computers. Just run the cable from any 1394 port on one computer to any port on the next computer. (You can also use a hub to connect the computers together.)
- Restart all the computers. The computers then automatically detect the network.
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