Network with 3 computers and 5 network cards...?

I have a computer with win xp pro running as server. It is connected to the internet through a lan cable that goes to a router in another building. I have 3 network cards in this computer and wanted to know if i could connect the 2 that are free to my 2 laptops using cross cables. I already have 1 laptop connected through it but i can't seem to get the second one online since wheni go to network sharing in the Server-Router connection it allows me to share the connection with only one other LAN card... I tried bridging bu it says i have to select connections that don't have sharing turned on ...





HELP !!!!!!!!





thx in advance.

Network with 3 computers and 5 network cards...?
A small $20 switch would be your best option, but since you don't want to do that...





Try AnalogX's Proxy software (FREE):(http://www.analogx.com/CONTENTS/download...





I'm not guaranteeing it will work, but maybe it can work in conjunction with the regular Internet sharing you are running and can take care of the 3rd NIC. So, leave everything as is to deal with the 2nd NIC...but use AnalogX's 'Proxy' to share over the 3rd NIC.





Again...no guarantees since you're avoiding the most reliable solution.
Reply:XP Pro is not a Server OS. It does not have the ability to act as a router. MS makes you pay for that BIG TIME wih their Server versions of Windows


Getting a router from Office Depot, Staples, etc. is the easiest answer.


If you are making a "science project" out of this, and you really want to use a computer as a router/firewall install a Linux Distro such as OpenSuse 10.3 or Red Hat Fedora, which can be configured to be true servers. Then load, configure and tweak the open source software available under Linux to create your router and firewall. The learning curve is pretty steep, but there is a lot of help available out on the web
Reply:Hi,





You can try this other option, Give the 2nd laptop and the 3rd LAN card of your server an IP from diff netwok (ex : if your LAN from router uses say 192.168.1.1 then use 192.168.2.1)also make sure they are in same workgroup. once thats done. Create a folder in the server and place a shortcut for IE in it. then share the folder.


By doing so u can view the folder from laptop2 and u can make use of the IE in the server. Since IE can have multiple windows opened. There won't be any problem by doing so. Let me know if u come across any other prob.





GoodLuck,


x+ GoosyGeek.