I have a Win2k3 server running in a small lan right now. However, it hosts a very noisy but critical app that the users (~20) depend on. The server is an HP ML150G2 with 1Gb nic and the users have current HP workstations with 10/100 nics. Server is setup as ADS, DNS.
When everyone is using this app, the network performance hits 100% in performance monitor counters and the app starts dropping or getting hung at the client stations. When there are 5-10 users on, everything runs ok even though the network performance occasionally hits 100%. It’s when we exceed that number of users (using the app) that we start having app failures.
There is a small Dlink DSL router-10/100 Mb switch unit connected to a 24 port DLink 10/100Mb managed switch; these are on a 192.168.0.x subnet. Everyone has access to the Internet through the DLink router (NATting)although not everyone is allowed through.
I think the problem (other than this noisy app which I can’t get rid of) is that the 1Gb connection on the server is maxed out; I had mounted a 2nd 1Gb nic on the machine when I built as a just in case card so I would like to try and use it.
What I would like to do is put half of the users on the 2nd nic with a spare 1Gb switch I have available. The 2nd nic and it’s “users” would be on a different subnet (ie. 192.168.1.x); I’m even ok with putting this group on fixed IPs as they happen to be more critical users. However, I’m not sure how I would get the router to “see” and route the 2nd subnet correctly.
BTW, all users still have to be able to get Web access. My thinking is that putting a fixed IP on the 2nd server nic (ie, 192.168.1.10) and putting fixed IPs on 10 of the workstations (192.168.1.100-110) normally would not be a big deal. However, the routing part is a problem for me since there is a single gateway (192.168.0.1 on the router). If I connect the 2nd switch with 2nd IP subnet users to the router, would the router recognize it correctly? Would using a net mask of 255.255.0.0 allow this to run correctly? Anyone have any advice?
