Making a program use a particular network conection?

[Smike]

I play various multiplayer games with my family on our home wireless network. I normally act as the server, as I have the fastest PC. There is also a wired connection (crossover cable) between my PC and one of the others.

Is it possible to force games played on that PC to connect through that wire, rather than wirelessly? This would presumably make the game less jerky on the other PC, and possibly lighten the load on my wireless card for everyone else.

Thanks.

 

[RecoveringYuppy]

Windows, I assume? If so, what version? Find your network connections (either a system tray icon or in network places) on that PC and disconnect from the wireless network.

ETA: If you find the right dialog box for the connection (I can be more specific after knowing which version of Windows) you can see if the wireless is being used at all while the hard connection is available. It shows bytes received/transmitted across the connection. It may be that it's smart enough to use the faster connection.

2nd Edit: Most likely you just need to left click on the wireless network icon in your system tray. You should get a dialog that shows the bytes or packets transmitted which will tell you if the connection is being used at all. It should also have a "disable" button which you can use to turn the connection off.

 

[jeremyp]

Yes, it's easy, in fact it happens automatically.

Each network interface in your computer has a different IP address. Just get the game on the computer at the other end of the crossover to connect to the IP address of your wired network card rather than the IP address of of your wireless connection.

If you are using Windows, run up a command shell and use the ipconfig command to determine the IP addresses of all of your network interfaces.

Having said all of the above, I seriously doubt that you will see a noticeable difference in performance.