2 NICs (from another user) 1

[DaveGoTech]

I also searched the posts but am still confused.

Here's my intention:
The Server has 2 NIC's installed (GB), but only 1 is active. The server is running low CPU utilization, but the network connection to the workstations seems like it has heavy utilization.
I want to load balance as well as provide redundancy by utilizing the 2nd NIC. I am using static IP's. What do I set the IP on the 2nd NIC as?

Here is some other info on my network:
Intel Server, Quad Core 3GHz, 4GB RAM.
Win 2K3 Server w/20 XP users.
The server only runs one application - which is specific for our industry. They recently supplied a new release, which is a Client/Server version. It functions much like Terminal Services where most of the program is now run on the server and the WS only updates data in the fields, so the WS requirement is much less now (and it runs faster).
24 port Level 1 GB Switch. This switch has the feature "port trunking" but there are no instructions. The setup screen has a field for a name of the connection and then it looks like you check which ports you want to team.

Can anyone guide me as to how to set this up. Thanks.

 

[SimonDavies]

If it's a branded server (such as a Dell or HP) you need to enable NIC Teaming (it's done via drivers). That way it would be both cards using a single IP address.

Simon

The real world is not about exam scores, it's about ability.

 

[DaveGoTech]

It is a branded Server - it's Intel, but there is not that option in the drivers.

Update: I tried using the 'Port Trunking feature on the switch and defined the 2 network connections, but my WS network connections got disabled after I did this.
I do notice that there is a 'Port Mirroring' function in the switch also. Should I try that?

 

[burtsbees]

Port mirroring mirrors output of interfaces to other interfaces and is used for packet analysis. Port trunking is to trunk vlans.
You would need to team the nics and bind the interfaces that they connect to in the switch (port-channel in the Cisco world). If it is a 10/100 switch, this is a waste of time. Your network is as fast as the slowest link...

Burt