LinuxQuestions.org - Two hosts connected by ethernet

I'm trying to ping host X's ethernet interface from host Y's ethernet interface. Both hosts are running Pupply Linux 1.0.7 and are connected by a standard ethernet cord (RJ-45) between the two ethernet cards. Puppy Linux uses a 2.4.29 kernel and comes with iptables as well. I have not setup DNS or any sort of nameserving yet. I thought I would first just try a simple ping test. I have not yet succeeded in my goal, and I believe it may be that I'm missing something very basic, but after reading several HOWTO's, I cannot find the solution. Below is what I try directly after booting both machines:

1. Setup Host X:

1.1 Configure my wireless card with my router:
1.1.1:

Code:

iwconfig wlan0 essid "XXXXX"

1.1.2:

Code:

ifconfig wlan0 192.168.2.40 up

1.1.3:

Code:

route  



Kernel IP routing table

Destination    Gateway        Genmask        Flags Metric Ref    Use Iface

192.168.2.0    *              255.255.255.0  U    0      0        0 wlan0

loopback        *              255.0.0.0      U    0      0        0 lo

1.2 Test TCP/IP configuration
1.2.1:

Code:

ping 127.0.0.1

(success)

1.2.2:

Code:

ping 192.168.2.1

(ping my router, success)

1.2.3: The wireless interface is now networked with my router.

1.3. Setup ethernet interface
1.3.1:

Code:

ifconfig eth0 192.168.3.1 up

1.3.2:

Code:

route



Kernel IP routing table

Destination    Gateway        Genmask        Flags Metric Ref    Use Iface

192.168.3.0    *              255.255.255.0  U    0      0        0 eth0

192.168.2.0    *              255.255.255.0  U    0      0        0 wlan0

loopback        *              255.0.0.0      U    0      0        0 lo

2. Setup Host Y:

2.1 Configure ethernet interface
2.1.1:

Code:

ifconfig eth0 192.168.3.2 up

2.1.2:

Code:

route



Kernel IP routing table

Destination    Gateway        Genmask        Flags Metric Ref    Use Iface

192.168.3.0    *              255.255.255.0  U    0      0        0 eth0

loopback        *              255.0.0.0      U    0      0        0 lo

2.2 Test TCP/IP configuration
2.2.1:

Code:

ping 127.0.0.1

(success)
2.2.2:

Code:

ping 192.168.3.1

(unsuccessful - 100% packet loss)

_________________________________

I hope to one day have the ability to ssh from host Y to host X or possibly even setup IP masquerade to share an internet connection, but after reading the IP Masquerade HOWTO, I thought I should at least try pinging between the two first. I am unsure what the actual problem is. Could it be a iptables issue? Or do I need to add some route commands? I have fooled around (extensively) with both but end up screwing things up and starting over from step one.