Yes it is possible, but connecting to a router is a better option in my opinion.
When it comes to a linux type appliance (and I call a CS2 an appliance), if the network is not available when it powers up then it can be a hit and miss if the network component will initialize properly or at all. This means that you will need to ensure that your computer is on at the same time or first in order to ensure that the network comes up for the CS2.

With a router (both the CS2 and the computer would be plugged into the LAN side of the router), the router would boot up well in advance before the CS2 starts the network interface and there should be little or not issues experienced. Both the computer and the CS2 can be set to have thier IP address assigned via DHCP which the router would hand out once this feature is configured in the router.

There is also products available on the market for a resonable cost to take a wirless signal and convert it to a cabled solution which could be then connected to the CS2.

To use a cross-over cable to just connect your computer to the CS2, you will have to assign a unique static IP address to both the CS2 and the ethernet network adaptor on your computer. (eg. the CS2 could be assigned 192.168.1.10 and the ethernet adaptor on your computer could be assigned 192.168.1.11), what ever the range of numbers used there can not be any overlap of IP ranges between your wifi address range and the chosen address range for the CS2 and ethernet adaptor on your computer. This means that if your wifi address on your computer is eg. 192.168.1.50 then you would have to chose a different address range for your cross-over wire connection eg. 192.168.2.10 for your CS2 and 192.168.2.11 for the ethernet adaptor on your computer.

Also you will have to assign a netmask to the IP address configuration for both the CS2 and the ethernet adaptor on your computer.
For the 192.168.x.x range you would normally enter 255.255.255.0 as the netmask.

Hope this helps.

Hi Thomas
Connecting a CS2 directly to your PC works very well with a crossover cable:
- better switch-off WiFi (not mandatory though)
- on your CS2 select the screen IP (on SET-UP screen select the tool - your screen background is now blue- and then select the IP screen)
- on the IP screen you will see the IP adress xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx.
- Copy it exactly on your browser address (instead of a www.google.com) and hit the return key
After a few seconds you will see a simplified graphic menu

Notes:
* After each reboot of the CS2, the IP address changes so you have to repeat the process above
* Connecting through your switch router with a "normal" cable is easier thanks to DHCP (automatic address assignment by your router), provider you have validated DHCP on one of the SETUP screen on your CS2
Cheers
Jean

Just in case some readers of this topic are getting bogged down with the term CrossOver Cable, this relates to ensuring the Transmit(Tx) goes to Receive(Rx) and NOT Tx<>Tx and Rx<>Rx.

Similar to an American tourist driver hopping on a British road and causing a collision.

Current PC/Laptop products that include a Network interface will almost certainly be 1Gb (1000Base-T) . Part of the 1 Gb specification is a requirement to negotiate the "road rules" - (i.e. lobotomize the American tourist). Thus , as long as one end of the network connection is operating to 1Gb specifications, there is no "requirement" to be concerned about the cable used ("StraightThrough" or "CrossOver")

Ref: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gigabit_Ethernet
"Autonegotiation is a requirement for using 1000BASE-T[8] according to Section 28D.5 "