How do I network a computer side by side?

I have computer #1 and I want to use computer #2 as strictly back up. They are physically side by side/next to each other. Computer #1 has access to internet and computer #2 will not be (internet) connected as to avoid virus's. Computer #1 has all my files, so what's the easiest way to transfer Computer #1's files into #2?How do I network a computer side by side?
external hard driveHow do I network a computer side by side?
make sure both machines have an ethernet card fitted, connect the 2 machines together via a crossover ethernet cable, then you can set up a home network and transfer files between them
I agree with the external HD idea. If you store all your files on the external hard drive, then all you have to do is plug it into the second computer when you want to switch.





Edit - I think you misunderstand what a hard drive is. Here is an example of an external hard drive: http://www.walmart.com/ip/Seagate-250GB-鈥?/a>
Abacus is correct. Since most computers have a NIC built into the mother board already, the cheapest way to do this is to use an Ethernet ';crossover'; cable, and network the two PC's, and use a mapped drive to back up files to. If you access the internet via an Ethernet cable hooked to a cable or DSL modem, then use a cheap Ethernet hub (or router) and connect both computers and the cable / DLS modem to it.





Just enable print and file sharing on both PC's, and set a folder on the second computer as ';shared';. You can set this up in less than 5 minutes.





Crossover cables:


http://www.google.com/products?rls=ig%26amp;hl鈥?/a>





Hubs:


http://www.newegg.com/Store/SubCategory.鈥?/a>