5 Tips for Connecting Multiple Computers with a Firewire Cable

A firewire cable is a data transfer cord that can be used to transfer files from camera, camcorders, and computers to your own personal computer. Firewire is chosen over other data transfer cables because it can facilitate the transfer of files at much higher speeds. Therefore, if you are attempting to transfer many files or just a few very large files, a firewire cable may be just what you need. 

Firewire is actually a brand that has gained in popularity. In actuality, the cable creates a 1394 connection between 2 devices. These cables can be found under other brand names as well. However, when you head to your local electronics store, if you ask for a firewire cable they will direct you properly. 

If you are attempting to connect 2 computers with a firewire cable, you should make sure to heed these 5 tips.

Tip #1 — Connect the Host Computer While it is Turned Off

When you are trying to transfer information from one computer to another, you should think of the computers as host and target. The host computer is the one with all of the information on it. The target computer is the one that you want to house all of the information after the transfer.

When you go to hook up the computers, the target computer should be turned on and ready to receive the files. You should leave the host computer off while you connect the two computers with the firewire cable. Once the two computers are connected to one another, you should turn on the host computer.

The benefit of keeping the host computer turned off is that once it is turned on, and it is already connected, the target computer should more easily recognize the data connection. This should eliminate having to search through the computer for the connection.

Tip # 2 — Use the Wizard

Once the target computer is recognizing that it is connected with a firewire cable, a networking wizard will pop up allowing you to configure the connection. Go through the wizard to set up the connection. This is the easiest and most straight-forward method.

Tip # 3 — Create Your Own IP Address

While you should use the wizard to set up the connection, you should specify the IP address and the subnet. Specifying the IP address and the subnet ensure that the computers are operating together properly. During the wizard you should be given an option to accept the predetermined IP address or enter your own. Enter your own and be sure to enter the same one when you configure the host computer. 

Tip #4 — Reconfigure Your Internet Security Software

Once you have set up the network on both computers, you have to be sure to reconfigure any internet security software. If you leave these unchanged, you may find that you can’t access your new network or any information from the host computer. 

Tip #5 — Eject Before You Disconnect

Before you remove the firewire cable from the two computers, make sure that you have ejected the host computer from the target computer. It is best not to simply remove the cord. When you eject, the computers are able to go through the necessary processes. To eject a Windows machine, you simply right click the connection and click eject. To eject a Macintosh computer, you will need to move the disk drive to the garbage can.