Aggregate NIC's in Windows XPP

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silver565

170 posts

Master Geek

#73473 14-Dec-2010 12:04

I can't find much on google about this. However is it possible to Aggregate two Gigabit NIC's on windows XP pro?

Cheers :)

--If at first you don't succeed call it version 1.0--

PANiCnz

999 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 161

#418665 17-Dec-2010 21:36

Not easily, and not at all with cheap realtek NIC's. You'll need to invest in some semi decent Intel NICS to make it happen.

silver565

170 posts

Master Geek

#418769 18-Dec-2010 10:33

Thanks for the heads up :)

--If at first you don't succeed call it version 1.0--

Zeon

3926 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 759

Trusted

#418771 18-Dec-2010 10:41

Come on Realtek isn't thaaaaat bad

. Probably not the best though if you need so much bandwidth you want to aggregate 2x gbit. I saw some 10gbps PCI express NICs somewhere for just over $1000 - so if you get a 10gbps GBIC for your switch... ?

BTW what are you trying to do that requires over 125MBps of data transfer?

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silver565

170 posts

Master Geek

#418788 18-Dec-2010 12:10

I don't really NEED it.

It's just something i've always been curious about. I was going to implement it on my file sever which is just a XPP computer with two drives shared that all computers access.

--If at first you don't succeed call it version 1.0--

PANiCnz

999 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 161

#418802 18-Dec-2010 12:48

Per Wikipedia

Note that Microsoft Windows does not natively support link aggregation (at least up to Windows Server 2008). However, some manufacturers provide software for aggregation on their multiport NICs at the device-driver layer. Intel, for example, has released a package for Windows called Advanced Networking Services (ANS) to bind Intel Fast Ethernet and Gigabit cards. Nvidia also supports "teaming" with their Nvidia Network Access Manager/Firewall Tool.

Its nothing to do with the crappyness of Realtek cards its simply that the vendors who supply these cards do so at bargin bin price thus the extra software required to support link aggregation is culled to keep cost down.

If you hunt around on TradeMe there are a few dual port gigabit intel nics for a reasonable price they should be fine for link aggregation.

Oh and you also need a switch that could do link aggregation, once again the cheap d-links etc wont do it. But once again if you hunt around on TradeMe there are plenty of used layer 2 managed switch that have been pulled from data centres going cheap.

silver565

170 posts

Master Geek

#418804 18-Dec-2010 12:52

thanks for that. I had no idea you could get dual ports in one card.

I have a 16port gigabit switch at the moment (TP-LINK). It's not managed but aparently it supports aggregation.

Thanks again

--If at first you don't succeed call it version 1.0--

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Zeon

3926 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 759

Trusted

#418834 18-Dec-2010 14:27

silver565: thanks for that. I had no idea you could get dual ports in one card.

I have a 16port gigabit switch at the moment (TP-LINK). It's not managed but aparently it supports aggregation.

Thanks again

Are you sure???? I don't get how a switch could be unmanaged and support link aggregation. TBH 24 port gbit switches which support link aggregation (minimum layer 2 managed) would be like $700+

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silver565

170 posts

Master Geek

#418912 18-Dec-2010 21:42

Hmm that's interesting.

I'll have to do a bit of research. However thankyou for the information! Now I have a direction :)

--If at first you don't succeed call it version 1.0--