2 Networks, 1 Question

**Rumble** · 11-16-09, 03:41 PM

ok, have a question, and hope you guys can help...

I have 2 networks... sort of.

I have 2 cable modems. Cable company and I have an agreement, so I am taking advantage of it by having my computer hooked to the 2nd modem when I game. This gives me all that modem's bandwidth for gaming.

The other network I connect to most of the time for my home server, and sharing between the 11 computers in the house, the security system, PS3, Tivo, etc.

Now, If I get a 2nd network card in my computer, and hook one up to the main network, and one to the 2nd cable modem.... how does that work? Does it? Is there a better way to use both networks? Need help.

I guess I am just tired of having to switch my ethernet from one to another, there must be a way to have both connected all the time.

Also, I have a spare router I could add to the 2nd network I use only for gaming if it makes a difference.

**Arreo** · 11-16-09, 03:48 PM

I really strongly feel that the title of this thread should have been "2 Networks, 1 Question".

Or perhaps my mind just makes strange connections to disgusting internet videos at inappropriate times...

To address that actual question at hand though, my gut reaction is that what you are wanting to do is possible but it would require a ton of effort to make happen.

Is there a dire need to make this change, or are you just wanting to utilize the power of both connections on your computer?

**Kanati** · 11-16-09, 03:50 PM

you can hook both of them up... But getting them to do exactly what you want will be tricky. You can add static routes which will say send all traffic to TTP in one direction though... Is it worth the hassle? Not for ME it isn't, but maybe for you it would be.

**Rumble** · 11-16-09, 03:58 PM

I wondered if I could do it like this....
Gaming Network: 192.168.1.0
Normal Network: 192.168.10.0
then have the router with the normal network not allow outgoing network traffice for my ip on that network?

I really want to have my isolated cable modem AND access to my internet network.

**Phyrelight** · 11-16-09, 05:12 PM

unless the cable company physically ran a second coax to your house from the box you are sharing bandwidth across two cable modems on the same line. It's just giving them each an IP. It's not doubling your bandwidth from the box.

As to your question, yes they have gaming cards that have 2 Ethernet connections but I am not sure if they can be connected to two separate sources or not. The only way I have seen this work in the past is using a PC as a server with two incoming connections, one from each modem and then an out to a 25ish port switch. So you would build a pc server with 3 nics, 2 inc 1 out. Or two nic in and out, 1 to your gaming rig, 1 to the 25 port switch for the rest of the house. Then you set your server to delegate the bandwith and Ip range of one of the modems to just your PC while allowing your PC to access the IPS (internal network) of the other card.

**Gumby** · 11-16-09, 05:51 PM

umm...
You do know that because of the way cable internet works with regard to shared bandwidth, there is absolutely no advantage for you or the cable company to your setup?

That being said, the way to handle your situation is static routes, which has been mentioned.
You could also set a static IP address on the one connected to your local network and not set the gateway address. That would force all internet traffic out on the gaming connection.

**Warprosper** · 11-16-09, 05:54 PM

Cough Couch NAT Cough Cough...

absolutely no reason to have 2 cable modems. Put the router in the loop and Nat that bitch.

**Rumble** · 11-16-09, 08:17 PM

We have 4 lines from the pole to our house. The cable company uses us as a test for new services and changes to cable internet. That's why we have 2 modems. I'm thinking I'll just forget trying to combine these.