A simple Web server

[XorA]

3. What kind Ethernet cable does one use to connect two computers directly (ie not via a network switch)?

If both computers have GigE then any cable will do, if they only have 100Mbs/10Mbs then it must be a crossover cable!

[Derek_Stewart]

Hi,

To connect 2 computers by ethernet cable a cross over cable is required. The problem with this the network connection will negotiate to to slowest speed.

So PC using 1000BaseT interface tuns at GigaBit or 1000Mb/s connected to a Q68 which has a 10BaseT network interface runs at 10Mb/s. The tesultant network speed will be 10Mb/s.

I use an intelligent Switch is used to manage the network ports, to connect the computers, then the PC runs at 1000Mb/s, the Q68 runs at 10Mb/s and the Switch syncronises the speed difference. If this does not work it means the Switch is not intelligent to manage the speeds.

Using the Intelligent Switch will allow Full Duplex, do in theory the network speed is doubled, 10Mb/s one way and 10Mb/s the other way, giving 20Mb/s

The web server is a computer that runs a web site programme that can supply web pages to connecting computers, like Google, QL Forum.

[Martin_Head]

I am not sure what a web server is, but it sounds very interesting. I would like to thank Martin (and others?) for all his hard work.

I have downloaded the manual and am now trying to understand it. I have five questions as follows:-

1. Is it the case that the first example given in the manual is for a server running in QPC ( for example) and "read" by a browser on the same PC?

2. Can one have two PCs connected via an Ethernet cable and the server running in SMSQE (PC1) and the browser running in PC2?

3. What kind Ethernet cable does one use to connect two computers directly (ie not via a network switch)?

4. If one use a Q68 as a web server after installing the Ethernet Driver, does one then connect the Q68 to a PC with an Ethernet cable such that one can "read" the Q68 webpage in a browser?

5. Could one have a Q68 connected to many PCs via a network switch?

1. Yes, This is where you use the localhost name instead of an IP address. You could also use the IP address 127.0.0.1 which is the same as 'localhost'

2 & 3. Yes, If you just want to have two PC's connected together. You could use a crossover cable. Or go via a Hub, or switch with normal straight cables. In this configuration you would probably have to manually set static IP addresses to both computers.

4 & 5. Yes, If you already have a LAN setup that assigns IP addresses automatically from a router. Which I expect most people would have. The Q68 can request an IP address from the router. You would then need to get the IP address from the Q68 with PRINT ETH_GETIP$ This will be the IP address to use in the web browser. To connect the Q68 to a WiFi set up, I have used a range extender plug with a Ethernet socket.

[Tinyfpga]

Thanks for all your replies. Just one more question:-
What is the difference between a hub, a router, a switch and an intelligent switch?
I looked for an answer to this question on Guru99 but could not really understand it. Ethernet seems to be a complex technology.

[Derek_Stewart]

Hi,

A Hub electrical connects the network devices together with no control measures, all the network signals go to all the ports on the Hub, rising to data collisons.

Switch is an intelligent Hub, that alocate each networked connection a dedicated port, so that the Switch remembers which port the PC is on and the port the Q68 is on. This allows Full Dulplex transmission.

Switches can only transfer datela on the same Network. Connection of different Networks require a Router.

A Router connects 2 or more Networks and allow data to flow. An example of a Router is the Home Network, which has a local network of 192.168.x.x which cinnects to the Internet through the Router via Wide Area Network.

Usually the Home network Routers are Switch and Router combined.