Multi-homed LAN

I got Windows XP and 98SE.

 Jen3    why do you think you need a multihomed computer ?   what are you trying to do ?

For those who wants to know... It's Hobby thing - Video Editing and SFX.

I have setup a nice huge, bright and happy lab at home with plenty of space and huge LCDs :)

At the moment i got 2 x Window XP machines, and a relatively old 1GHz Window 98SE
[1] XP - Editing Raw Video
[2] XP - Creating Special Effects
[3] 98SE - Repository of Footage and Final Release

I got a Gigabit Switch and all Gigabit NIC. However, transferring files in a few Gig is still slow and sluggish. Just wondering if i could double the bandwidth.

After reading some suggested links and it seems that i might need another Gigabit Switch if i want to connect 3 systems with dual-Gigabit NIC. Thus adding some degree of redundancy.

Another issue.. do i really need Cat-6 to take full advantage of Gigabit LAN? If memory serves me right, Cat-5e from reliable manufacturer should be fine. Anyone experienced any degradation with Cat5e. As for cable length, i think it wouldn't be longer than 20m. Lab not that big.

<I got a Gigabit Switch and all Gigabit NIC. However, transferring files in a few Gig is still <slow and sluggish. Just wondering if i could double the bandwidth.>

*In most cases you would not ever tax the Gbit bandwidth; however, be aware that bandwidth is not directly synonymous with speed.

*Verify that the Switch ports & the Network cards have the same duplex & speed settings.

How big are your files?

*You may want to verify that you have good connectivity by copying files & folders from PC to PC.  
Check physical devices, cables, etc.  Check IP protocol settings. If it applies check DNS.
--------------------------

<Just wondering if i could double the bandwidth.>  *Yes.

<After reading some suggested links and it seems that i might need another Gigabit> <Switch if i want to connect 3 systems with dual-Gigabit NIC. Thus adding some degree> <of redundancy.>  *Yes again :)

<Another issue.. do i really need Cat-6 to take full advantage of Gigabit LAN?>  *No.

<If memory serves me right, Cat-5e from reliable manufacturer should be fine.> *Yes

<Anyone experienced any degradation with Cat5e.> *No problems using Cat5e, it is Gbit rated.

<As for cable length, i think it wouldn't <be longer than 20m. Lab not that big.>
**If you are running 20 meter patch cables from PC to Switch this may well be your problem -- it certainly does not meet the standards and i have seen degradation with long patch cables at times.

The IEEE standards reads this way for category 5e gigabit:  
1/ 100 Meter Maximum from end-point/PC to switch [solid core].

2/ Combined total patch cables length not to exceed 10 meters [braided core].

3/ Example: [x+y <= 10 meters] - PC <--> x meters 5e patch cable <--> 5e certified wall jack <--> 5e solid core run up to 90 meters <--> 5e certified punch down block <--> y meters 5e patch cable <--> Switch.

Although you can usually exceed these standards & certainly connect directly with good patch cables; nevertheless, the higher the bandwidth the more chance for problems.

Files are in tens of Gigs and will probably add an AMD Opteron for rendering later in the year.

I will close and award points by this weekend. Appreciate all pointers here and after.

Hmmm - fyi-note: You may want to look into the 10 Gig Switch & Four-Port Gbit NICs.

*fyinote - Also, probably a good idea to add some large fast 10k/12k rpm Serial ATA Drives w/controller to handle the throughput of those large files.

They would plug right into your existing PCs.  

They are reasonably priced, very fast & much cheaper than SCSI drives/controllers.