Using multiple NICs 1093

Robert Heller

Actually, given that modern Ethernet NICs and switches are generally full duplex devices, I would wager that bonding two NICs will offer better bandwidth than the OP's original proposal. After all, a 100 Mbit NIC (as an example, it applies equally to Gigabit NICs) can simultaneously read and write at 100 Mbit-sec (theoretically). With his proposal he would still have a 100 Mbit-sec read channel and a 100 Mbit write channel. With your suggestion for bonding two NICs he'd have 2 x 100 Mbit for reading and 2 x 100 Mbit for writing. I don't see that the dedicated-read-NIC and dedicated-write-NIC would offer any benefit whatsoever (buttuming he's connecting both NICs to the same network).

A side note for the OP: if you're using Gigabit Ethernet, beware of the fact that a single GigE channel can theoretically consume almost all of the bandwidth on an ordinary 32-bit, 33MHz PCI bus. You'll need PCI-X or PCI Express (and-or multiple PCI busses) to get the benefit of multiple GigE NICs. You don't say what you're currently using so this may or may not be a consideration for you.