HOWTO use firewire (IEEE 1394) to connect laptops
 

I would like to connect two laptops using firewire (IEEE 1394).
I want to do this for a few reasons:

• sync files between laptop-A and laptop-B
• move random files and share resources between laptop-A and laptop-B
• laptop-B through laptop-A to the internet regardless of how laptop-A is wired or wireless or dialup

Begin with laptop-A being a linux host.
First priority for laptop-B is another linux host.
Second priority for laptop-B is WinXP and other Win-dose.
Third priority for laptop-B is anything else ... including MAC,
PSP, phones, game consoles, etc.

Cheers,
~~~ 0;-Dan

I've never tried networking using firewire with XP but there should already be a 1394 adapter in the control panel under network connections. Just configure it as any other NIC.

With linux you need to load the eth1394 in addition to all the core 1394 modules and then manually configure using a ifconfig. Any changes to configuration files requires information on the linux distribution/version running.

I do not know anything about Firewire networking on a MAC nor interfacing with any other equipment except for video cameras and hard drives.

What about using a cross-over cable to connect the 2?
Why firewire?

Why Use "firewire" connection
 

Many laptops have firewire ports (IEEE 1394) to support connections to camera devices and similar. Eleventy-One years ago, we used a thing called LapLink(tm) for ad-hoc low volume connections at meetings and such. I know that firewire plays the LAN dance, so I want to use it between my laptops, my towers, and a few colleagues and clients workstations.

With enterprise security folks being like they are, an ad-hoc private connection, say 172.25.25.* over firewire seems easier than the dance you must do to get connected to many corporate LANs.

Just a thought,
~~~ 0;-Dan