Why install 2 Nics in one PC when Networked???

[gredodenda]

I have to setup this network connecting 6 PCs with a 8-port switch hub and a DSL line. Someone suggested me to install 2 NICs in one computer. One for dsl, and the other for going into to the hub. Why is that??? I'm new to this networking. Please help.

Please Advise me how to setup LAN using software ICS.

Thanks in advance

 

[Russ]

The second NIC would run to the switch, which in turn would handle the other systems on the network. This would mean that the system with two NICs would act as a "gateway" or server for the others and must be on in order for the setup to work.

Is your DSL modem internal or external?

Russ, NCNE

 

[abu]

Hey Russ,

I'm also new to networking and I'm considering making an old p200 my 'gateway' (as you said)

What OS would would make this gateway most effectiant (and yes, i do know some linux, and a litle bit of freebsd)

Do you know any site that could further explain this typa networking?


Oh yes,
If the p200 has the available resources, can I also make this switch, a firewall + webserver + small file server aswell?

Ofcourse the webserver wont be getting many hits a day.. and the file server is for mainly remote acess...

 

[abu]

ttt

 

[Russ]

abu,

If you just wanted to use the P200 as a gateway, firewall, router (not a "switch&quot, you could install Freesco. It's a single floppy Linux distro compiled for precisely that purpose.

As for using it as a small web server; if you're just dishing up standard html and the traffic is low, a P200 will work just fine. Linux would be excellent for that, but Apache is a little complicated to setup - at least it was for me.

Russ, NCNE

 

[gredodenda]

Thanks Russ
My OS is NT 4.0 and dsl modem is external..
Is there difference if internal???

 

[Russ]

If it is external, and happens to be a Cisco 675, you don't need a second NIC in any system. You'd run the Cisco to the switch and plug all the systems in to the switch. No need for a puter to act as the gateway because the 675 will handle that chore.

The Cisco does both NAT and DHCP, so it provides the same services as a DSL router (because it is one).

If it is some other type of DSL device, it may, or may not provide these services. If it doesn't, you will need either a DSL router, or a second NIC and some form of proxy software to allow the systems to share the connection.

The system with the second NIC would act as the proxy server, while the rest would be clients. Proxy software does the same thing as a router: Provides NAT (Network Address Translation) to convert your single WAN (outside) address in to a bunch of LAN (inside) addresses.

Russ, NCNE

 

[anandfan]

Russ: Greetings from Renton.
I tried your www.freesco.com link. Although the page exists, many errors. Stumbled upon the link www.freesco.org **note ORG **. Worked much better. Thanks for the pointer to Freesco.

Mike Eve

edit: here is a note from freesco.org about the different site names---

New freesco domains.
www.freesco.org has been quite unreliable lately, so www.freesco.com and www.freesco.net now point to our mirror page at www.linuxsupportline.com/~router please try these if you're unable to reach www.freesco.org

 

[Russ]

Ah, yes, Renton, a suburb of Kent.

Russ, NCNE