networking two boxes without a hub??

I've had four xp/98 boxes networked together for a couple of years now through a four port hub. I have recently changed two of the computers over to Linux and am not ready to try the Linux/windows combo yet. I'm thinking that Linux will need a hub and I don't want to buy another. Is there a way to network two windows XP computers together without using a hub?? Can I just plug the network cable from one to the other??? Is there a serial cable of some sort I can use????

 

You can actully plug two computers directly together through the Ethernet ports.

but you will need a differant cable , one that connects 2 LIKE devices (crossover cable) This is just a differant kind of Ethernet cord ( make sure it says crossover on the package)

A straight cable is router -> comp.
Make sure you have right one.

 

Thankyou sir!
With my limited knowledge I'd think that the same setup would work on Linux, do you know. Either way thanks, getting the two windows boxes together was what I'm needing to do now.