2 x UJ45 Network connectors?

[nrmsmith]

My new Nero Extreme Pro has two LAN network connectors, which is something I have never come across on a motherboard PC before.

I have used one, obviously to connect to my switch/router, and it works fine to connect to the Internet and my intra network.

However, I am a bit puzzled as to why I would NEED a second LAN connection? Can someone in Tech explain what if anything this second connection could be used for? Otherwise, am I correct in thinking that the unused one can be disable in the BIOS?

Thanks
Nigel

[Danno]

i think one of the main reasons for two network cards is for security reasons. you could have one network port connected to broadband and the other connected to an internal network.

also you could connect something like a network printer or network storage to the second port instead of using a switch.

[Danc1978]

the main reason of dual cards is for stability, what you do is have two cables plugged into a network and you bridge them, so that if one fails the other takes over with virtually no interruption to service or data loss, mainly used for business.

[Coops]

There are many reasons to have two. However you may not have many reasons to use two. Most people will only ever use one as there connection to a network. However depending on what the PC is being used for you may require two such as Internet Connection sharing, Network Bridging. Server cover two seperate LAN's and so on.
Its all down to if you need it or not and if you don't then no problem, you can always keep it as a spare =)

[nrmsmith]

also you could connect something like a network printer or network storage to the second port instead of using a switch.

I'd thought of that; but surely the printer wouldn't be available to other PC's on the network when the PC with the second port was switched off, would it?

Nigel

[Coops]

No if you turned off the PC you would not have access to the printer, that is correct