I use a cross-over cable all the time between two computers.
Then again, I have the cable. If you don't and you can't make one, then
believe it or not an ethernet switch is often cheaper than a cross-over
cable.
I have in /etc/network/interfaces:
computer 1:
iface eth0 inet static
address 192.168.1.1
netmask 255.255.255.0
network 192.168.1.0
broadcast 192.168.1.255
computer 2 is the same except for the address being 192.168.1.3
After you make the changes, on each computer:
ifdown eth0
ifup eth0
Also put both computers in both computer's /etc/hosts
127.0.0.1 localhost
192.168.1.1 computer1
192.168.1.3 computer2
You should then be able to ping back and forth.
Remember that 192.168.1.0 is the network itself.
Read the debian-reference, and the relavent HOWTOs
Good luck,
Doug.
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