P5WD2 Premium - Why TWO Ethernet Ports?

[Leica]

I am the proud owner of this fantastic board.

Just curious, why two Gigabit LAN ports?

What would be a good (if any) use of the other port?

 

[crimedog]

you'd be hard pressed to find a high end board with only one port. i am not sure of the reason myself but it would make internet sharing pretty easy...

 

[RangerXLT8]

I am the proud owner of this fantastic board.

Just curious, why two Gigabit LAN ports?

What would be a good (if any) use of the other port?

Maybe so one computer can be connected to 2 different networks. For instance their DSL connection on one, and a LAN that goes throughout their house on the other.

 

[mjgent]

Maybe so one computer can be connected to 2 different networks. For instance their DSL connection on one, and a LAN that goes throughout their house on the other.

Yep. Server/firewall purpose.

 

[BigStan]

It is quite common for a Server to need 2 network ports. One for access to the Internet, the other to drive the companies internal network. As strong as this mobo is, it would make an excellent Server.

 

[Leica]

it would make internet sharing pretty easy...

So would a $30 router! AND it would be a lot more secure!

Can you imagine connecting a PC directly to the internet without the hardware firewall or NAT of a hardware router?

 

[Leica]

Maybe so one computer can be connected to 2 different networks. For instance their DSL connection on one, and a LAN that goes throughout their house on the other.

Again connecting to the DSL directly via Ethernet is scary. Hackers would love it. Windows XP's firewall is no match for a Hardware Router.

As for connecting to two different networks, why? Would would a corporation have two networks? PCs on one side wouldn't be able to communicate with PCs on the other side and think of the cabling!

 

[crimedog]

So would a $30 router! AND it would be a lot more secure!

Can you imagine connecting a PC directly to the internet without the hardware firewall or NAT of a hardware router?

Some people can handle it...

As for connecting to two different networks, why? Would would a corporation have two networks? PCs on one side wouldn't be able to communicate with PCs on the other side and think of the cabling!

Gigabit for LAN transfers, 10/100 for internet...

 

[BLcK]

Again connecting to the DSL directly via Ethernet is scary. Hackers would love it. Windows XP's firewall is no match for a Hardware Router.

As for connecting to two different networks, why? Would would a corporation have two networks? PCs on one side wouldn't be able to communicate with PCs on the other side and think of the cabling!

Restrictions for the peons and give internet access to all the 'bigwigs'/ppl with power access to the internet perhaps or restricting work stations to the internet and break room computers to have access to the internet but not to the workstation network - a couple of examples.

 

[Leica]

OK fair enough. But still it is not a server board and I think that 99% of the users don't use the second LAN port.

Anyway this leads to my next question, which port is better and faster? I am using the Intel one, as I assume that one is.

BTW I have a home LAN and use Gigabit. Gigabit switches are now cheap and the norm...

 

[BigStan]

Again connecting to the DSL directly via Ethernet is scary. Hackers would love it. Windows XP's firewall is no match for a Hardware Router.

As for connecting to two different networks, why? Would would a corporation have two networks? PCs on one side wouldn't be able to communicate with PCs on the other side and think of the cabling!

I'm sorry, but this comment shows a total lack of knowledge and understanding of how servers and server software works. Before you become critical of other ppls configurations you should do more research. There is nothing in Rangers comments that preclude the internet connection from having a firewall appliance between the network port and the internet. And large companies have multitudes of networks and servers that can all talk to each other. Do you really think that a huge company like Mircosoft has only one network and one server?

And why would yu assume that there is no company out there that uses this mobo in a server?

 

[mjgent]

Also some IT managers still use UNIX boxes as a stand alone firewall system not just windows. This board would work for that purpose although a little overkill for most situations.

Different internal networks can talk to (access) each other even though they may have different IP addresses, i.e. 192.168.1.1, 192.168.1.2, etc. or whatever it may be.

 

[Leica]

I'm sorry, but this comment shows a total lack of knowledge and understanding of how servers and server software works.

Guilty as charged.

I guess I have learned a lot.

Anyway which is a better port? Or are both the same speed?

Thanks.

 

[BigStan]

Anyway which is a better port? Or are both the same speed?

The Intel is the better one to use.

 

[JCLW]

The intel one resides on a PCIe lane. The Marvel one resides on the PCI bus. The only advantage the Marvel one has is the cable tester thing.

I use the intel one, and disable the marvel one in BIOS.

Asus always has old intel drivers. Here's the new one: http://downloadfinder.intel.com/scripts-df-external/Product_Filter.aspx?ProductID=871&lang=eng

 

[pscout]

Ditto for me ... i diasble the marvel one and use the intel.

Higher throughput possible if you use both for multimedia serving and 'normal' serving ... you could optimize each nic for different workloads,

I don't need it, but others might - i would guess those heavily into video/streaming etc. Also introduces more complexity into your setup.

 

[Blackmage]

hey 2 is better then 1 thats all you need to no.

 

[Happy13178]

I use both....one for internet into computer, and the second out into a hub to the other computers in the house. really easy to set up.