Re: What can you do with a second ethernet port?

[Tom Liotta <qsrvbas@xxxxxxxxxxxx>]

David Gibbs wrote:

> Just found this via lifehacker ... http://www.linux.com/feature/133849
>
> Pretty interesting.

I have a normal ethernet/NIC card and a second USB ethernet port on 
one of my PCs at home. I have the USB going to an old hub that leads 
to a DSL modem. The other ethernet connection goes to a Linksys 
wireless router that uplinks to the same hub.

Kind of pointless at first glance, but it's been incredibly useful.

The Linksys does DHCP for my home network and NAT for the link to 
DSL. A bunch of other systems are on my home network.

With that setup, I can do all kinds of screwups to my router without 
losing a connection to the internet. I can test any kind of 
filtering, port-forwarding, you name it, without the slightest 
interruption to accessing whatever on-line specs and forums I need 
while doing so. (And I really need those when I get into that kind 
of mood!)

Most of time, it's pointless for me. When it's useful, there's 
nothing else that comes close. Cheap, too. The USB port can be 
enabled/disabled with ease.

Tom Liotta