Hi, I’m responsible for a small (< 30 users) mixed network (AIX & Win2003 & WinNT servers, XP Pro, XP Home, 98se, and 'terminal' clients). We have a single [1.5K] DSL line for shared internet access (note: the speed is acceptible); we don't host our own website or email. The existing setup is your typical: DSL modem <---> hardware firewall/router <---> switches <---> client and servers. We have recently added some business-critical applications that need internet access (on demand). By “business-critical”, I mean that an internet service disruption of more than a couple of hours will cost us money & business. Is it practical to a) add redundancy to the internet connection; and b) somehow separate segments of our network so that if something happens to one client (worm, virus, trojan, etc.) and network traffic ‘spikes’ that the critical apps can still communicate? Is this a function of different network hardware? I’ve asked this question to vendors, of course, but I would welcome any independent suggestions.
Thanks, Will