2 network cards in one machine - any speed benefit?

[ahpatel]

I have roadrunner high speed access with 2 IPs.

I just set up a wireless network for my apartment. Previously, I was using a 3com ethernet card to connect my computer to the internet.

So here's what I wanted to know...

Is it possible to use both the Wireless Card and the 3Com Ethernet Card, each with its own IP, to speed up my internet connection? Would it be TWICE as fast? Do I need special hardware/software?

If not, could someone explain why it's a stupid idea!
If I can, could someone explain how to do it. I tried doing it by connecting my Cable Modem to a 4-port Hub. There are two connections out of the Hub. One cable goes directly from the Hub to my computer. The other goes to my SMC 7004AWBR, which I use for wireless access. It doesn't seem to make a difference in speed, so either I'm doing something wrong or I don't understand enough about networking!

Thanks for the help.

[joecool169]

It isn't a stupid idea, but it definately won't be twice as fast!
You could use both cards but the computer if it's 2000 or xp will load balance between them. Meaning use the one with less traffic.
If someone knows I'm sure they will correct me,but the only benefit I would see is if you were doing a lot of traffic on your lan then the other card may get out to the internet quicker.

[BlackSword]

First of all I don't have cable, but I will say my 2 cents anyway.

I am assuming you only have ONE modem?

if Yes then;

Do you currently have a CAP with your ISP? if so are you hitting that CAP?

if the answer to those two is Yes then No I can't see you seeing any increase in speed/bandwidth

If you don't have a CAP or your not hitting your CAP, then possibly having each IP use different DNS services could help on general web page browsing.

Again this is only my 2 cents, only my speculation, would be nice to have one of the experts clear this up.

[ahpatel]

Yes, I only have 1 cable modem.
Yes, the ISP does CAP.
No, I haven't reached the CAP.

l was basically thinking that if I could use 2 IPs with 2 diff ethernet cards , I could increase the speed of web viewing - even if it isn't twice as fast.

thanks for your input.

[BlackSword]

have you installed the speedguide tweaks?

I guess my question is why are you not at your cap or at least close to it?

[santiago]

If you had Win2k, this OS can Route the packets to regulate the same traffic in both ethernet, but the both ethernet need had an wireless or modem connection, if you had cable, doesn't work

[hoov]

Having 2 ip's does not mean that you have double the speed. All it does is allow you to go from the cable moden to a hub then to each machine without having to use a router or ICS. You do not get more bandwidth, the 2 ip's share the capped bandwidth that you have.

Now if you had 2 separate accounts, ie. 2 cable modems and paying double the monthly fee then supposedly you could "shotgun" them together with expensive equipment.

[joecool169]

Originally posted by hoov
Having 2 ip's does not mean that you have double the speed. All it does is allow you to go from the cable moden to a hub then to each machine without having to use a router or ICS. You do not get more bandwidth, the 2 ip's share the capped bandwidth that you have.

Now if you had 2 separate accounts, ie. 2 cable modems and paying double the monthly fee then supposedly you could "shotgun" them together with expensive equipment.



+ Isp must support the "shotgun"