Possible to have 2 ethernet connections?

[amnesiac]

I currently have an ethernet connection through my apartment complex. It's 3x T1's but the problem is it's WAY overcrowded and goes down at least once a week. I decided to order cable modem service from ATTBI (no contract, got a $10 discount for first 2 months). Can I install a 2nd NIC and use 2 connections or does that screw things up?

 

[NetworkDad]

Yes, you can install a 2nd NIC. Many servers do this to connect themselves to different LAN segments for security, redundancy, etc..

 

[BillGates]

You should be able to do it... If nothing else you can go to Device Manager and disable the NIC you're using on the Net and should have no problems.

 

[N8Magic]

If you're running 2K/XP, i'd set up a separate profile/user for each connection.

 

[vetteguy]

Originally posted by: N8Magic
If you're running 2K/XP, i'd set up a separate profile/user for each connection.

Why? You can have 20 NICs if you want, Windows doesn't care. Unless you want to be certain that you're getting internet over a specific one.

 

[sk560]

i think u can specify which route to take by setting the gateway.... u can set the T1 line as the primary gateway and the cable as the secondary gateway.

 

[amnesiac]

Originally posted by: sk560
i think u can specify which route to take by setting the gateway.... u can set the T1 line as the primary gateway and the cable as the secondary gateway.

I'll have to see which is faster.

Is there any way to direct certain traffic through a specific connection? i.e. use the T1 to continuously leech newsgroups and use cable for other stuff?

 

[dman]

There's a SOHO router that will do failover between 2 ethernet connected internet ports (DSL / CABLE). You could use it for this, tigerdirect sells it (as do many other places). Not cheap though, $2xx+. But, good if you need cheap failover capabilities for multiple machines.

Just another option.