How to perform a NIC to NIC file transfer between servers?

I need to transfer a large 25GB file from one server to another but I cannot do it with our email services running, so I need to do it as fast as possible. The source server is running Windows 2003 SP2 and the target server is Windows 2008 SP1 64-bit. Both servers have dual gigabit nic cards. I want to transfer the files directly from server to server without going through our large network. Can someone tell me how to do this using the extra gigabit nics from each server? Do I need a regular gigabit ethernet cable or a gigabit crossover? Not sure what to do or how to initiate the connection. Thank you.

mjchevalierAsked: 2011-09-20

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weedhellCommented: 2011-09-20

well i guess it would be easier to do that with usb disk... Still you can use a cross over cable and apply manual configurations to your nics. Choose a none used private address like 192.168.23.xx to both you don't need to fill gateway only netmask and ip, choose different ips to each nic.
In command prompt type \\(ip applied to manual configuration) ,open the shared folder, share.

LVL 18

Sajid Shaik MSr. System AdminCommented: 2011-09-20

if u can connect both server physycally with cat6 cable it.s and best idea .... now a days network cards are having auto negotiable mechanism...so u can usestreigh cable to connect both servers and transfer the data.... all the best

LVL 84

Dave BaldwinFixer of ProblemsCommented: 2011-09-20

If they are in the same location, what about a USB drive? That won't go thru the network at all and it could be faster.

LVL 70

Brian PiercePhotographerCommented: 2011-09-20

I would avoid having to play with the NIC configurations, which could disrupt your network, and get hold of a USB disk and do the transfer that way - less disruption and such disks are readily available and very cheap

mjchevalierAuthor Commented: 2011-09-21

Thanks guys, if I use a straight thru cat6 cable to connect the spare gigabit nic's between each server, how do I make sure I am using that connection to move data between servers?

LVL 8

Amitabh SinghAWS Certified Solution Architect | L3 IT Specialist for CloudCommented: 2011-09-21

hi put cat6 cable between both server , use static and different network IP address on both PC \

Example
if your current network useing 10.0.0.X network then use lets say 192.168.1.x network
server A 192.168.1.1
Server C 192.168.1.2

use robocopy to copy data between servers , its best tool to check live status

robocopy \\server_A\c$\XYZ C:\XYZ

Robocopy utility can be find in Windows Server 2003 Resource Kit Tools in CD or via web
download
http://www.microsoft.com/download/en/details.aspx?id=17657

LVL 8

Amitabh SinghAWS Certified Solution Architect | L3 IT Specialist for CloudCommented: 2011-09-21

you are on server C
robocopy \\192.168.1.1\c$\XYZ C:\XYZ

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weedhellCommented: 2011-09-21

Thanks guys, if I use a straight thru cat6 cable to connect the spare gigabit nic's between each server, how do I make sure I am using that connection to move data between servers?

since you open command prompt and you are using the \\192.168.xx.xx address you will only use your private network... Still you can prioritize your network cards, by clicking in menu advance in nic manager folder and inside options in first tab you will find your NIC order, then it will always go check connection to that card, obviously it can bring you trouble in your other services... So i wouldn't say that this one is the best choice.
Instead If you have some doubts that it will transfer the files through your NICs use netstat in DOS command prompt you will see doors and connections in use, you will notice that the connection is getting out from your NICs Ip address...