Does having two connected network cards improve connectivity for a single computer?

[Iowatech]

Hi!
I have a laptop that is connected to a port replicator, and when I can afford it I won't have it any other way. However, both the laptop and the port replicator have ethernet 10/100 plugs, and while I'm pretty sure hooking them both up would be stupid, I'd like to find out for sure. Would that speed up things, or would it just break things and hurt people?
If you have time to help me out, thanks!

[femaster]

Re: Does having two connected network cards improve connectivity for a single compute

I would assume that it is going to use one or the other, but not both. I'm not quite sure since the one is a port replicator, but I'd guess that if the replicator plugs into a proprietary style port on the laptop (similar to that of a docking station), the laptops internal ports are generally disabled and only those on the replicator or docking station will function.

I know what you are referring to though. I use a laptop at the office, and when in the office I have a wired network cable that is plugged into it. The wireless stays active when this is plugged in. I've looked in the network settings before, and found that the laptop did in fact have 2 different IP address, one for the wired and one for the wireless. Upon further investigation, despite having two connections, the only one that had any traffic on it was the wired connection. If I pulled the cable, it would immediately start using the wireless connection. When the cable was re-connected, it switched back to the wired connection.

I have to assume that Windows was smart enough to choose the wired connection over the wireless, assuming that the wired connection would have a faster throughput; which it should, unless there were major problems with a persons network.

[Athlontini]

Re: Does having two connected network cards improve connectivity for a single compute

Your computer can only be assigned one IP address, so unless you're going to connect to two different networks, no.

You can attach a NAS to your computer though...

[Mr Spock]

Re: Does having two connected network cards improve connectivity for a single compute

You can use 2 nic cards (I have heard 3 but have not tried) at once. Both must get an IP address and you computer must be able to "bridge" the connections. This will not double your speed but adds a redundancy and slight increase in speed. Last time I tried it was 125mb on two 100mb cards.

[Tonerbomb]

Re: Does having two connected network cards improve connectivity for a single compute

I quite often use both network connections on my laptop, Although not for speed or redundancy. I will be connected to a wireless network and then connect to a MFP with wired connection and a static IP. This way I can still get on the web and ping the MFP or get to the MFP's web page. Works well with Vista buisness 32 bit on a gateway laptop.

[Iowatech]

Re: Does having two connected network cards improve connectivity for a single compute

Thanks for your replies, everyone!