Dual LAN

I have a small workgroup network. I want to know if I use dual LAN adapters on one computer, (2 pci adapters), can I use that computer as a common connection to the internet. Also, would I be safe just using the anti-virus and firewall one that one computer to protect the network?
My internet connection is through a DSL modem and router. I'm trying to save on multiple copies of anti-virus software. I have 15 computers that have potential internet connections.

 

So, if I understand correctly, you want to do this:


DSL modem -->Router -->Dual NIC PC -->To the rest of the machines?

So you would need a switch as well.

I'm not so sure you want to do this though?

Internet Connection Sharing in Windows equally shares out the bandwidth amongst the clients. You can imagine how slow it can get.

Unless I am misunderstanding what you want to do.

 

Doing so would create two independent Networks, and a need to double NATing.

It possible to make it work but it is really useless for regular purposes.

No matter how the computers are connected each computer need its own protection since it uses the Internet on its own.

Only a setting of a real Server (like Windows2003) and central server protection software (very expensive) can protect the whole Network at the entry point.

 

You can dual-home a pc and connect to the internet as long as one of the ethernet adapters has access to the internet. The cable modem will connect to one of the ethernet adapters and the other would need to be connected to a switch (or some form of network condensing device). You can NAT at the gateway for intranet isolation. Linux offers many options for turning a dual homed pc into a gateway device (Clark Connect, Smoothwall etc...). You need to run the virus detection software on each pc from within the network, and you can use a single firewall on the gateway device if you are only worried about external threats. Cisco makes a very nice line of broadband routers which would replace the dual-homed pc for around $300. Linksys makes some less expensive (less secure) options as well.

 

DSL...my bad.