Using crossover cable between laptop - desktop to sb4200 cable modem?

[Nexium113]

is this gonna work using a crossover cable between laptop and desktop then my desktop goes from the available USB port to the USB port on the cable modem?
is it possible?, i hope so

and what are the cons and pros of having this type of connection instead of using a router?

 

[Banshee76]

It should work, but you may have to enable ICS (internet connection sharing) on both computers.