Connecting to 2 Networks at once.

[powerMarkymark]

Here is the scenario.

Home has two different networks. Each having cable modems connected to there respective routers, one has Wi-Fi and one not.

What I want to know is if a computer has an Ethernet wired connection to the router that has no Wi-Fi, if a Wi-Fi adapter is installed in that same computer what happens?

Does it connect to both routers (wired and Wi-Fi) at the same time giving access to the two different networks, or is this asking for trouble?

TIA

Marc

 

[NathanBWF]

The WiFi card should be able to pick up the WiFi network thus giving you access to that network from that one computer on the non-WiFi network yes.

 

[Spikesoldier]

why do you need two cable modems? do you really need that kind of speed? im sure youre paying two subscriptions if you do that, you can possibly save money by just using one.

 

[powerMarkymark]

Originally posted by: NathanBWF
The WiFi card should be able to pick up the WiFi network thus giving you access to that network from that one computer on the non-WiFi network yes.

Yes, I suspected as much.

But will that computer be able to access BOTH networks at the same time or will the user have to choose which network to connect to?

 

[powerMarkymark]

Originally posted by: Spikesoldier
why do you need two cable modems? do you really need that kind of speed? im sure youre paying two subscriptions if you do that, you can possibly save money by just using one.

This is the scenario at my sisters house and you are correct, she is paying two accounts (she prefers it that way as one network is for the kids and the other for her, plus, she can afford it).

 

[Uncle Bob]

this query might be better placed in the network forums but AFAIK, the answer is yes.

If you have multiple network adapters in the machine and the adaptors are both running the same protocols (TCP/IP) then both networks are visible to the machine and OS.

I believe you can enable multiple network access by defining multiple Gateways, DNS and WINS servers on each network connection. This would for example allow a machine to still be to access the internet if one of the cable modems or routers was off-line for any reason.


hope this helps

 

[powerMarkymark]

Originally posted by: Uncle Bob
this query might be better placed in the network forums but AFAIK, the answer is yes.

If you have multiple network adapters in the machine and the adaptors are both running the same protocols (TCP/IP) then both networks are visible to the machine and OS.

I believe you can enable multiple network access by defining multiple Gateways, DNS and WINS servers on each network connection. This would for example allow a machine to still be to access the internet if one of the cable modems or routers was off-line for any reason.


hope this helps

Great, I will test this operation out on Sunday and report back.

 

[nweaver]

yes, this will work. I call this Dual Homing a computer. I do it all the time at work and home. One thing you want to watch for is bridging/routing between networks, as you normally don't wan't that (althought you might, too).

 

[powerMarkymark]

Originally posted by: nweaver
yes, this will work. I call this Dual Homing a computer. I do it all the time at work and home. One thing you want to watch for is bridging/routing between networks, as you normally don't wan't that (althought you might, too).

What would be the result of bridging/routing between networks?

 

[Matthias99]

Originally posted by: powerMarkymark

Originally posted by: nweaver
yes, this will work. I call this Dual Homing a computer. I do it all the time at work and home. One thing you want to watch for is bridging/routing between networks, as you normally don't wan't that (althought you might, too).

What would be the result of bridging/routing between networks?

Systems on one network might then use your system to talk to systems on the other one. This would slow down the system attached to both networks, and compromises any security you were trying to gain by keeping them separate.

 

[powerMarkymark]

Thanks very much Matthias99, appreciate you taking the time.

Marc