I have a ADSL cable modem with USB and ETHERNET connections, and I've connected a computer to each. Both seem to work and I get same IP's on both machine. The connection to one computer is to USB of modem via USB cable and to othet compputer is to ethernet port via straight cable (not a cross cable.). Every thing is working fine as I am able to access the net on both computers simlutaneously. What I want to know is whetherthe above set is good enough for sharing files/data between the two computers OR I need to install switch and cross cables etc? Please guide.

Well, in a normal world two computers can't have the same IP address and connect to each other. How your system works is a mystery to me. "Best Practices", Event viewer, host file, perfmon, antivirus, anti-spyware, Live CD's, backups, are in my top 10

IP address of both compurter is same and I am able to access broadband on both. It seems that for file sharing between the two computers I will have to assign different IP . But my question remains whether it is possible to have file sharing with wiring i have? i.e. whether both the computers will sense each other with the wiring i have?

It is a mystery to me how it works as well. I have had a modem/router with both Ethernet and USb and used them both together bit they both got different IP addresses via DHCP and NAT. The cable isn't ging to make any difference and switch isn't going to do anything either. I would like to know what this common IP address is. If it is a private IP address you may be able to do something about it. If it is the public IP address being passed by the MODEM there may be nothing you can do about it except buy a router. Stuart