I would also like to see these examples, but I can help you on some of this. You don't really need any hardware (since you are accessing this site, I assume you have an ethernet card). For a cable, if you are connecting both computers to a LAN or the internet (direct or via a hub) use a RJ-45 ethernet cable. If you are connecting the computers directly to each other, you must use an ethernet crossover cable. The cables just connect into your ethernet port (where your internet access is plugged into now).
Go here for more info on a crossover cable:
http://digital.ni.com/public.nsf/3efedde4322fef19862567740067f3cc/38528df7b4d1feae86256dcf0069b14d?OpenDocument
Derek