A computer network connects multiple computers together to allow for sharing of resources. There are different network topologies that describe how the nodes in a network are arranged and connected, including bus, star, ring, mesh, and tree topologies. A star topology connects all nodes to a central hub or switch, while a ring topology forms a continuous pathway through each node. A cross cable can directly connect two computing devices, such as two computers or switches, and is used differently than a standard Ethernet cable which connects devices through a central hub in a star configuration. Data can be transferred between computers connected by a star topology network by opening network sharing settings and making folders accessible over the network.