Upgrade from P2P NW to 2003 Server/ wny 2 nics?

[jfwarren1]

Hello, server newbe here. Have had mixed MAC/PC P2P network for years, now going with Server 2003 for small company (30 employees) for web-hosting/emails/DHCP/ etc.

Why do most server configurations have 2 nics? WOuld one nic be for the outside connection (SDSL) and the other for the master hub/switch for internal network? Thanks

 

[FilthPig]

Most server configs have two nics because they're cheap and easy to include, and having two opens up a some useful options. As you pointed out, making the server a router or bridge is one. Most are able to load balance to increase network throughput if they're on the same subnet. That said, if you want to keep your network simple until you learn more about such subjects, you can just use one nic and leave the other one for later when you want your server to be more useful.


Marc Creviere

 

[jmjaszewski]

Redundancy is also a reason for two NICs. If one gets fried you can use the other one, while waiting for a replacement.