Hi ,I've got a desktop and laptop both running Mandrake 8 and both have 56k modems in sooooo - as I can plug both computers on the telephone circuit in my house how do I go about dialling in to my desktop from my laptop to share files etc?
Is this possible at all?
I'm not looking for an indepth answer here as I understand the answer would require a lot of input from you all but just pointing me to the right how-tos' or web resources on the subject would be a big help.
Thanks in advance and Happy New Year to everyone.

So both machines are in the same house and both have modems? If this is the case then the answer is no... Unless you have your own internal phone exhange. The problem is that you won't be able to actualy dial the other machine as it has no number and there is no exchange in the middle to make it ring if you see what I mean. You would be better off either using a serial link then using SLIP (Serial Link IP) or better still get yourself some network cards and get a LAN running which is the easier option.

cheers

Jamie...

Do you mean a null modem cable between the two?
I intend to move soon and put in a proper Ethernet LAN in the new house but don't want to do it at my current address as it's rented.
In fact I have grand plans for the new house with almost complete audio/visual and data capabilities in every room of the new place and webcams in my childrens rooms in place of the normal radio wave baby listeners - you can bet the boards will be full of crys for help while I sort that out!
Anyway thanks for the info,it's saved me searching fruitlessly for the answer elsewhere.

Yup... Afterall all your modem does is creates a serial link between your machine and the remote one, as you don't have the phone network in between then you can go for the straight serial link. It would still be easier to go for the ethernet option - just leave the cables dangling between the two machines that way you don't have to mess up you accomodation. If you get a cross-over cable you won't even need the hub/switch yet (so long as you have only two machines) [or use BNC <shudder>]

HTH

Jamie...