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Can I connect to two networks at once?

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I have two computers, on a laptop, and one a desktop, they are connected wirelessly through a network hub, that's not a problem, but I have an estimating software that requires a wired connection between the two computers, Tech support has explained to me that this is due to the high volume of data that is transferred between the two computers, much to large for a wireless connection. Well, I have a ethernet network wired throughout the office, and both computers have a nic card, so my question is, is it possible to have two network connections on each computer, one through the ethernet wiring, and the other trough wireless (this one connects other computers for file sharing and internet)? Do i need separate workgroup names for each network connection?

It's definitely possible to have multiple network connections to the same computer. But in order to make sense, they really need to be different networks. Otherwise you might not get the results you're looking for.

By different networks I mean ... well, different networks. Different collections of machines.

Here's what I mean: you current have two machines, A and B, that are connected to a wireless network. I presume that you can, for example, copy files between the two machines today. If you connect both of them to a wired network, in addition, then there are two paths to get between the machines: the wireless connection and the wired one.

How does Windows decide which to use? Well, while I'm sure there's an algorithm behind it, the best way to think of it is that the first time the two machines try to talk to each other, the connection used is selected randomly - it could be on either network. From then on (I believe until both machines are rebooted, or their cache of network information is flushed), the conversations between the two machines happen across the single network.

In your case if they happen to choose the wireless network, then you haven't solved you problem.

Now, if the hardwired network is a different network ... meaning that machines on the wireless network cannot connect to machines on the wired network, then adding both machines to the wired network may work, but only if you remove one of them from the wireless network, so they can't "find each other" via the wireless path.

But my question is this: if the two networks are really the same network - meaning that you can get to all the same resources using either the wired or the wireless networks - and you need to connect to the wired network for speed - why stay connected to the wireless? Clearly you're tethered by wire, so the machines certainly aren't mobile.

I'd simply avoid the entire issue and disable the wireless adapters in the two machines, connect them both to the wired network, and be done with it.

Article C2383 - July 7, 2005

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Recent Comments
127 Comments

how can change defaults lan connection, In my pc

two lan card connection 1 leased line,another is

local lan,when one connection lost get internet

through another card.two card enabled at a time.

Posted by: mukundan at October 25, 2008 3:40 AM

hello i have zyxel router having WiMax internet and also configure DHCP? i want connect it to my private LAN with switch network of win2003, server configuered with domain and also DHCP server on computer how can i connect it with my LAN network for internet service to all users?
[email address removed]
plz send me mail with solution.
thanx

Posted by: Khurram at November 3, 2008 1:43 PM

Can i cannot 2 networks in my PC ? one through NIC and other thru USB adaptor?
NIC is LAN (office LAN)

Posted by: Napoleon at November 9, 2008 7:17 PM

i want connect two different domin server in one laptop , we have 2 office and setup with windows 2003 sbs networking , our GM laptop he wnat connect this both place often.so how can setup with his laptop two domin

Posted by: thomas at November 11, 2008 12:13 AM


dear sir,
how to add a windows home edition system in to an existing local area network...please give me an advise....

Posted by: shefeen at December 18, 2008 1:50 AM

Hello I have a question; i have one desktop machine with 2 network interface card. one Broad Band is for internet connection and the other is for the connection of our Office software.
Broad Band has the IP Add of 192.168.1.4 with subnet of 255.25.255.0 and supported with gateway 192.168.1.1

for Office software: The IP add is 11.30.218.217 subnet 255.255.0.0 and gateway 11.30.200.1

My problem is i can't connect to my Office softwarre if Broad Band is enabled, i have to this disable it ti=o be coonected to internet.
any advice on how to deal with this two connections without disabling one of them?
Thanks

Posted by: Suresh Bahuguna at January 30, 2009 9:27 PM

so, i have a macbook that easily connects to my wireless network. I love wireless connectivity! i prefer to have as little cables as possibly. preferably just my power cord. This brings me to my question...

.... I love always having music going and the option of wireless printing. Can i be connected to my wireless network and wirelessly connect to my airtunes? my internet is in my living room and it won't go to my bedroom. Is it possible to have both airtunes going from on wireless network and browsing the web on another network?

Posted by: Michael at March 2, 2009 12:47 PM

I have two networks in office using IP range X.X.0.X and X.X.2.X. One is of Intranet, for file & printer sharing (few users in this range)and other for VPN (some users in this range). These ranges have seperate servers for each of them. I wish to share some folders in each servers and some of both users can have access these folders. Please, if this kind og networking is possible, then provide solution. Thank you.

Posted by: Mike at March 17, 2009 3:36 AM

Hello I have a question; i have one desktop machine with 2 network interface card. one Broad Band is for internet connection and the other is for the connection of our Office software.
Broad Band has the IP Add of 192.168.1.4 with subnet of 255.25.255.0 and supported with gateway 192.168.1.1

for Office software: The IP add is 11.30.218.217 subnet 255.255.0.0 and gateway 11.30.200.1

My problem is i can't connect to my Office software(Using algratham that is Account Software that Default Gateway195.168.1.1, IP also 195.168.1.XX) if Broad Band is enabled, i have to this disable it to be connected to internet.
any advice on how to deal with this two connections without disabling one of them?
Thanks

Posted by: Navaskhanj at March 30, 2009 10:53 PM

There are two networks in the office, one is connected to the router for internet and the other network is for local sharing online... Is it possible to connect a server pc to both network at the same time.. or can both networks share a common server...

Posted by: Joachim Eng at April 8, 2009 8:25 PM

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