dual nics

Question

Level 1

112 points

dual nics

Hello,

I'm not certain if this is a Boot Camp question or one for this forum. I would like to know if iMac's support dual nic configuration. We have a T1 at our office but I do not want to be limited to the bandwidth of it. In fact, it's slower than my Comcast Business Cable service I use on my Win machine.

Since I am planning on migrating over to Apple for my office work, and will be dual booting, or using VMWare, I would like to add a second nic card (USB), with one nic to support our internal network and the other to be connected to my private internet connection.

Is this possible? and how?

Thanks in advance.

Ron Ross

MBP (Late 2008) 2.8GHz 320-7200 HDD 4GB - iMac 27", 2.8 Quad Core, 8GB RAM, 1TB, Mac OS X (10.6.2)

Posted on Jan 11, 2010 3:58 PM

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Answer 1

Jan 11, 2010 4:30 PM in response to Ron Ross1

Does "nic" stand for something like +network interface card+. 🙂

I can use my AirPort (802.11n) wireless connection to my local network and Internet, while simultaneously using my Ethernet port for a separate connection to an older Mac and a TiVo device.

So as long as the two connections are for separate functions, I think you can do it. It would not work, if you expect to be able to connect to the same servers or the Internet, from both connections at the same time. I can connect to the Internet and my local network over AirPort, and at the same time, do file sharing to another Mac on a separate network connected using the Ethernet port.

The primary connection (the one you want Mac OS X to establish first) is defined by the +service order+ in System Preferences Network pane. This should probably be the one with your Internet connection. The other connections using other active network services just happen; there is required setup, other than the usual setup needed to use that particular connection.

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Answer 2

Ron Ross1 Author

Level 1

112 points

Jan 11, 2010 4:39 PM in response to Kenichi Watanabe

You are correct in your assumption. nic = Network Interface Card.

I guess I can just plug in the USB nic adapter and make it only recognize the IP of the gateway, and setting the IP address of the internal ethernet card for the office domain, thus forcing the imac to only see the Comcast gateway for the internet.

I'll give that a try and see if it works.

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Answer 3

Ron Ross1 Author

Level 1

112 points

Jan 12, 2010 5:54 PM in response to Ron Ross1

Installed a D-Link 100 USB/ethernet adapter and it worked fine.

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