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9.2

Windows server 2003 - adding 2nd network card

Asked by Priest04 in Network Management, Windows Networking

I am curious how things work when there are two NICS in windows server 2003, that acts as a file server? So far we have two separate workgroups that are connected to this server (approx 40 PCs total). We have a 24port switch that is has no available ports on it.  Since today two ports have stopped functioning.... probably due to heavy thunder strikes all day long. I have an extra 24 port switch free, so I am thinking of adding it to network. My question is: should I just move half of the connections from one switch to another, or should I add 2nd NIC to windows server 2003? And why is one a better approach?

Here is a quick network explanation:

Workgroup A is connected to Workgroup B through private point to point link over DSL (approx 40-50Mbit speed). All PCs from workgroup A are directly (or through some small 5/8port switch) connected to a main switch (we will call it main switch), and this switch is connected to windows server 2003. PCs from workgroup B are connected to 16 port switch, and then through private link goes to main switch.

If I put two network cards on server, how would a traffic to this server be handled? Since switch is unmanaged, there is no "load balancing"? If NIcs have 192.168.2.10 and 192.168.2.11 IP addresses, if I type \\server_name on some PC on workgroup, through which NIC would it connect? I guess I could map to IP intead of name (so I can choose which NIC to connect to), but is this a correct approach? :)

Any help is appeciated.
[+][-]11/02/09 02:28 PM, ID: 25724466Accepted Solution

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Zones: Network Management, Windows Networking
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Solution Provided By: RobWill
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Solution Grade: A
 
[+][-]11/03/09 02:50 PM, ID: 25734774Author Comment

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[+][-]11/03/09 04:34 PM, ID: 25735397Expert Comment

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