Home Forums Discussions Problems Connection question for any computer geeks

First let me say that I use the term "geek" with great respect. I wish I were a computer geek. Problem: My server computer has two network cards in it. One is integrated into the MB And the other is a separate card. Recently, I re-wired my ethernet switch to make sure the connections were organized, and mapped out in a logical fashion. All connections run into an HP pro curve 10/100/1000 24-port switch. The network cable positions were simply changed and all ports appear to be active and working properly. However, when I use one network card, all computers can connect to the server. But when I switch to the other card, all but 3 computers can connect. Of the computers that cannot connect, one runs XP and the other two run Vista. On the computers that cannot connect, I can navigate to the AmazingCharts file on the server. I can even copy the XML file and past it on the client computer's desktop. So the network connection appears to be intact and working properly. It is just that when I try to connect to AC, the computer says "attempting to connect" but just does not connect to the SQL database. Any thoughts as to why ones server network card allows all connections, but the other does not? Thank in advance for your thoughts. BTW, my server runs XP and I am on AC Version 6.33

That's a good one. The obvious question is why are you trying to use the "bad" card any way if the other is 100%. On the ones that aren't working, what are the NIC cards set to? Auto-negotiation or 10 Mbs half duplex as an example?

I just tried the other card to make sure it was working okay, but obviously it doesn't appear to be. I would like for it to be a backup if there are any issues with the primary card. I would have to check to see what the cards are set to. Unfortunately, what you are asking means nothing to me. I guess I could see if all of the settings on the non-working card are the same as the working one. Weird why only three would not connect to the database.

A few things. First is the good card disabled while you are using this other card? I suppose you have exceeded your number of connections to your server if for some reason it is still making connections to the other card.

What you need to do is look at what speeds you are linking at. Go to Device Manager -> Network Adapters -> the "bad" card -> right click and select link speed -> under Speed and Duplex you could choose 1GB/s and Full, but it is always best to select Auto Negotiation and let each end (NIC and switch) choose the fastest link. See if the "bad" card is set at its fastest speed. While you are there, you can right click on the other card and select disable if it isn't already.

But, to the real issue. I have probably owned at least 30 computers. NONE of them ever had more than one card. There really is no advantage. NIC cards seldom go bad. I don't even have two cards in my $4500 server. You could keep another card on hand. It will take you all of five minutes to install it. That gives you the advantage of an extra card for all of the computers rather than having to have an extra card in each.

The only thing I can think of is the limit of 10 connections, although I have read many places where you can have more especially with registry hacks. Remember connections to network printers and scanners all count.

If you reboot the computer, are you still limited, but one computer that couldn't connect can, and one that could now cannot?

Lol my past 3 have all had Dual NIC ports. They are useful depending on what you're trying to do. Sometimes you need to access 2 separate LANs or aggregate them to get better performance or use it for better performance. I often end up using LAG to increase the throughput of my file servers. Another common thing is to use them as failover as in this instance.

When you say switching from NIC to another. Are you unplugging the other NIC or are you just browsing using a different IP Address?


This part would be useful to see.

At any given time, only one card is enabled, and the card that is enabled is plugged into the Ethernet switch. I will try to check those settings that you suggested Bert.

@Sandeep,

I was referring to using a second card as a backup. But, to be honest, dual cards have never been that helpful to me. I'm a geek, but not that geeky.