Install 2 network cards in 1 PC
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Hamster Jovial
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Just an Illusion -
Just an Illusion -
Hi,
is it possible to install 2 network cards in 1 PC?
I would like it to be permanently connected to a corporate network (via Ethernet cable), and to be able to connect to this PC simultaneously, occasionally, from another via a crossover cable...
Thank you
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!!! Free Jura !!!
is it possible to install 2 network cards in 1 PC?
I would like it to be permanently connected to a corporate network (via Ethernet cable), and to be able to connect to this PC simultaneously, occasionally, from another via a crossover cable...
Thank you
--
!!! Free Jura !!!
3 answers
Hello,
From experience, if you're using Windows (I haven't been able to test with Vista yet, but this has been the case with NT, 2K, and XP), it's not advisable to use two cards on the same machine.
If you go to the Microsoft site and dig into the subject, it explains that in a good Windows network system, computers with only one identifier (you know, the name you give to your computer when configuring the network) can cause problems for domain controllers if this name has multiple IP addresses (which is inevitably the case if you have multiple network cards, aka NICs, at least for IP).
Even if this is not supposed to correspond to your setup (which has a domain server, e.g., Windows Server, at home?), it seems that Workstation versions (e.g., Windows XP Home or Windows XP Pro) still take the trouble to restrict usage to what is supported by Microsoft servers.
In my case, I have not just 2 but 3 NICs. Therefore, I have very poor internet performance. I am using routers to concentrate the traffic towards a single connection with a unique IP (that's a router).
Unfortunately, my ISP seems to have rejected my Ethernet setup for nearly a month, so I can only browse through a poor Wi-Fi connection, but only on the condition that I disable the other cards (no more 7 computers running file, FTP,... servers on LAN with one or two stations accessing the internet).
To conduct your tests, I still recommend trying at least the following advice in NIC->Properties:
- Disable the 'File and Printer Sharing' service for each of the cards
- Disable the 'Client for Microsoft Networks' service for each of the cards
- Disable 'register this connection's addresses in the DNS system' (Internet Protocol (TCP/IP)->Advanced->DNS)
The main problem will be that if you have another PC on the network, there's a good chance it won't see you in its Microsoft Windows Network. You will then need to provide the IP address of your PC each time if you want to exchange files between the two machines (although a little 'search for computers' will easily detect the said machine).
Hoping this will be helpful,
JaI door-opener
From experience, if you're using Windows (I haven't been able to test with Vista yet, but this has been the case with NT, 2K, and XP), it's not advisable to use two cards on the same machine.
If you go to the Microsoft site and dig into the subject, it explains that in a good Windows network system, computers with only one identifier (you know, the name you give to your computer when configuring the network) can cause problems for domain controllers if this name has multiple IP addresses (which is inevitably the case if you have multiple network cards, aka NICs, at least for IP).
Even if this is not supposed to correspond to your setup (which has a domain server, e.g., Windows Server, at home?), it seems that Workstation versions (e.g., Windows XP Home or Windows XP Pro) still take the trouble to restrict usage to what is supported by Microsoft servers.
In my case, I have not just 2 but 3 NICs. Therefore, I have very poor internet performance. I am using routers to concentrate the traffic towards a single connection with a unique IP (that's a router).
Unfortunately, my ISP seems to have rejected my Ethernet setup for nearly a month, so I can only browse through a poor Wi-Fi connection, but only on the condition that I disable the other cards (no more 7 computers running file, FTP,... servers on LAN with one or two stations accessing the internet).
To conduct your tests, I still recommend trying at least the following advice in NIC->Properties:
- Disable the 'File and Printer Sharing' service for each of the cards
- Disable the 'Client for Microsoft Networks' service for each of the cards
- Disable 'register this connection's addresses in the DNS system' (Internet Protocol (TCP/IP)->Advanced->DNS)
The main problem will be that if you have another PC on the network, there's a good chance it won't see you in its Microsoft Windows Network. You will then need to provide the IP address of your PC each time if you want to exchange files between the two machines (although a little 'search for computers' will easily detect the said machine).
Hoping this will be helpful,
JaI door-opener
Salut, je voudrais savoir s'il y aura des problèmes de connexion à Internet après avoir installé la deuxième.
Hello,
yes, it is definitely possible to install two network cards.
Now, is there a real interest in having two...
In my personal opinion, it's better to have a small hub (or switch) behind your PC, so you can have both your business connection and your occasional connection.
ps: in that case, it is obviously necessary for your occasional connection to be on the same IP addressing scheme.
--
Best regards,
24/7 at your service :)
yes, it is definitely possible to install two network cards.
Now, is there a real interest in having two...
In my personal opinion, it's better to have a small hub (or switch) behind your PC, so you can have both your business connection and your occasional connection.
ps: in that case, it is obviously necessary for your occasional connection to be on the same IP addressing scheme.
--
Best regards,
24/7 at your service :)
It's curious that people get worked up over so little.. lol
Anyway, I'm in the same situation as Hamster. Before I got the internet, I had 2 PCs connected together via a network card, RJ45 cable... but since I got the internet, one of the network cards is, of course, being used by the modem, so no more network :( So I wanted to do like Hamster and add a second one to be able to have my network back. My question is, will there be anything special to do after installing my new network card to recreate my home network? Also, they are the same cards, same brand, model... do I need to specify an IP?
Thanks!
Anyway, I'm in the same situation as Hamster. Before I got the internet, I had 2 PCs connected together via a network card, RJ45 cable... but since I got the internet, one of the network cards is, of course, being used by the modem, so no more network :( So I wanted to do like Hamster and add a second one to be able to have my network back. My question is, will there be anything special to do after installing my new network card to recreate my home network? Also, they are the same cards, same brand, model... do I need to specify an IP?
Thanks!