michael, please double check your computers have correct IP addresses (eg. 102.168.0.1 and 192.168.0.2, mask on both 255.255.255.0) and you don't access shares using *just* afp (apple file protocol) - DHCP will not work.
the network utility offers a tab *ping* where you can check the TCP/IP connection to the respective other IP address to be working.
master: finale, VE3, key with VE3 + strings (=localhost or local IP address)
slave: VE3, key with VE3 + winds (= remote IP address)
hth, christian
and remember: only a CRAY can run an endless loop in just three seconds.