Connect Windows 8.1 to Ubuntu 14.04 using crossover cable

Question

I have a Windows 8.1 and Ubuntu14.04 LTS Computers. I want to connect them to each other using Crossover cable so that I could Transfer files from Ubuntu to windows and back. Can anyone tell me how to do that?

Answer 1

1. Connect the computers using your crossover cable (may not be necessary most modern ethernet cards should auto negotiate the connection see this Wikipedia article.)
2. Setup both computers IPv4 settings:
   • On the Ubuntu computer go to network connections and edit your current connection by doing the following:
     • Select the IPv4 tab
     • Select "manual" from the method drop down box.
     • Click the add button
     • Enter an address that makes sense like 192.168.1.2
     • Enter a netmask that makes sense like 255.255.255.0
     • Gateway can be left blank.
   • I don't have a Windows 8.1 computer but you should be able to select the network adapter and configure the IPv4 settings.
     • Use a different IPv4 address that makes sense like 192.168.1.3
     • Use the same netmask
3. Verify the connection works by using the ping on the ubuntu computer: open a terminal by pressing Ctrl+Alt+T at the same time. At the prompt, type: ping 192.168.1.3 or the address of the Windows computer. If you get a response, then the connection is working.
4. To transfer files you have a few choices. Windows file sharing (Samba), FTP, or SCP. I would start with Windows file sharing. Assuming you have the directory on Windows already setup for sharing.
   
   • On the Ubuntu computer open the Files application (this should be a file drawer on the launcher)
   • Open the File toolbar at the top.
   • Click Connect to server
   • Enter the following: smb://192.168.1.3 or the address of the windows computer
   • Enter your Windows user name and password.
   • A new window should open with all the available shares.

Take a look at this guide.