NIC x 2 - can you do it?

TeaLeaf · July 28, 2003, 06:46:21 PM

This thread is part of the preparation for the network planning for the LAN.

We are trying to assess how best to design the network at the LAN to allow both file leeching and gaming to co-exist happily alongside one another. One of the options is to have two entirely sperate networks with individual IP addressing, one for gaming, the other for leeching.

Please post here if you will be coming to the LAN with 2 x NIC cards in your machine. This will help us plan the network properly to avoid some of the bandwidth problems that one or two peeps had last time.

If you cannot get 2 x NICs into your PC then please do not worry. One of th eother options available to us is to configure a spare PC to act as a router/gateway between the 2 LANs. This is obviously not ideal, but it would be a work around and allow most people to enjoy cleaner network bandwidth.

Please do not post in this thread unless you have a relevant comment to make.

Thank you.

TL.

Benny · July 28, 2003, 07:11:42 PM

Am coming with 2 PC's instead, easier that way.

Can double up in the server for improved bandwidth if needed, I have 2-3 spare nics so I'll bring 'em.

What I would say is that if you don't have a nic installed, do it and test it before the LAN, it cuts down on all the reinstalls, eh Swiss?!

Gone_Away · July 29, 2003, 01:33:06 AM

Ditto.. Two PC's. Leech PC will have two nic's if we can figure out how to make them work together properly.

Rad_Man · July 29, 2003, 08:11:36 AM

I will be having 2 NIC's inserted between me circuitry for your pleasure.......

Stryker · July 29, 2003, 10:51:49 AM

I'll have two nics..... but as it seemed beyond the technical graps of every other clan member at the last lan to run "setup.exe" to install "nicexpress" for 200Mbit/s connectivity, I think we should keep it simple this time and just run two networks.

Those on the leech network will be free to copy at any time with other peeps on that network..... everyone else can leech but only when it bothers noone else on the net, ie in between games and over night.

see? simple!

albert · July 29, 2003, 01:31:15 PM

Nah it wa too busy getting everyone networked up to be trying to stack NICs plus we never had the passwords to the switches to enable trunking.

I've got NICs on my motherboard anyway

albert · July 29, 2003, 01:41:18 PM

If everyone can at least install their NIC please with the latest drivers from the manufacturers webby and make sure it shows up in Device Manager it would be a good start. Also keep a folder with the drivers local on the HDD in case of emergencies

.

sheepy · July 29, 2003, 03:36:50 PM

i got a soloution that seems to work in my simpleton mind. u lot can tell me im an idiot now if u want, but why not read my idea 1st.

2 network idea, as i only have 1 nic, then have the 2 cables, so that i could swap the network cable over when i wanna leech and plug in the gaming on when i wanna play.

will this work?

Dr Sadako · July 29, 2003, 04:50:16 PM

Quotei got a soloution that seems to work in my simpleton mind. u lot can tell me im an idiot now if u want, but why not read my idea 1st.

2 network idea, as i only have 1 nic, then have the 2 cables, so that i could swap the network cable over when i wanna leech and plug in the gaming on when i wanna play.

will this work?

Sure. Just remember to change the IP on your comp when changing e.g. 192.168.1.20 and 192.168.2.20.

sheepy · July 29, 2003, 06:13:13 PM

as long as i write down the ips so that i dont forget them then i should b ok.

JB · July 29, 2003, 07:30:23 PM

No offence like, but what's the point of having a leech network if the machine you wanna leech off isn't on that network? I've got a fair bit of stuff here on this machine that im sure some of you would like, but i've got one network card and no intention of buying another just for the LAN. So what now? Do i stop all ma gaming, unplug the pc from 1 network and put it in the leech network? Well surely that defeats the whole point.

TeaLeaf · July 29, 2003, 07:42:16 PM

The network is still in design stage so keep your panties on :lol:

Irrespective of the final design, nobody will end up without the ability to leech. It's just that if you use up your own bandwidth up with leech traffic then your own gaming experience may be compromised. With the extra bandwidth we get more design options and lag and choke free gaming. The ability to have 2 NICs in your PC gives us different LAN design options and if sufficient have 2 NICs then they will inevitably end up with a better gaming experience when simultaneously downloading. With gateway PCs, NICexpress, 2 NICs, ether channel trunking or any combination of these, everyone will get the opportunity to do both.

TL.

Stryker · July 30, 2003, 08:45:04 AM

I hope you've finished your period in time for the lan JB.

In your case you could copy your stuff to the file server..... which I think oldie will be bringing, which I really hope is on both LANS :-)

A Twig · July 30, 2003, 12:25:19 PM

QuoteI'll have two nics..... but as it seemed beyond the technical graps of every other clan member at the last lan to run "setup.exe" to install "nicexpress" for 200Mbit/s connectivity, I think we should keep it simple this time and just run two networks.

Ooohhh, get him!!!!

tugs · July 30, 2003, 01:30:42 PM

I'll either have two NICs, or a separate machine I suspect.

From a network design standpoint, unless we start implenting CoS on the LAN (Hint:joke) it sounds like having the two separate networks would be a far preferable thing - and doubly so if we're starting to see 200Mbps connections to each other.

tugs.