Networking questions.

When looking at the bandwidth usage is there a log file that I can look at to see how much of the network is being used?  Only way I know to see this is using the task manager.

We are looking at purchasing a new server with solid state drives in it and I want to make sure we will see an increase in response from our business software and wanted to make sure that our network is not a bottle neck of some sort.  We are running a GB LAN just wondering about if we have two switches does it slow the information down if I have the server plugged into the top one then a cable between the two.  So have the machines access the server on switch one and the other ones have to go into switch 2 then through one cable to get to switch 1 then finally to the server.  Hope that makes sense what I am asking.  Would it be best or increase speed if all the computers are connect to the switch that is directly connect to the server?

Are the NICs gig ports and are the switch ports gig ports also.  

You will benefit greatly if they are.

You can still aggregate gig connections to get even bigger bandwidth.

I needed to get back to ask a question of what is good software to use to check network load and processor usage.

What OS is running on the server?

Server 2003 enterprise edition

I will give these a try I probably should close this as it is getting a little long and off topic from the first question.  I appreciate everyone weighing in on this.