[Network configuration] Is this easy/possible to do?

Hi

I have been asked by someone if this is possible - I'm not sure but thought someone here might know.
He basically wants to move into two seperate offices in the same building - each office having 3 networked computers and it's own ADSL connection.
but he also wants one of the computers in room A to see one of the computers in room B and the amount of data he will wish to transfer between the two rule out doing it over the internet. if these two computers are linked together with cat5 cable will an internet connection at either end cause problems?
Shall I try a bit harder to convince him that only one internet connection is required - I think his biggest worry is both offices losing their net connection at the same time - but wouldn't this happen anyhow, I imagine the office complex only has only one main net connection for all the offices.

Many thanks

Spotta

 

How far apart are the the two offices? Are they on the same floor?

It is definitely possible to connect these two PCs with a CAT5 cable and it will not interfere with the Internet. Each PC will need a second NIC, the cable will have to be run and setup as either a crossover cable or straight cables with a hub. I would go with a hub and straight cables to allow for future expansion.

The only issue will be the IP addresses but that is not a problem either.

DRD

 

I'd suggest you use static IPs and switch off DHCP on both internet routers (assuming you're using routers in each office to share the internet connection). Otherwise you'll end up with DHCP on the two router giving out conflicting IP addresses and/or machines swapping from one router to the other.

Setting the system up as one network will be a lot easier! I'd try and persuade the client to keep it simple, but what you propose can work.

 

That would be simpler, but with second NICs the office traffic is kept off the segment going to the Internet. Easier to set up firewalls, etc.

DRD

 

Thanks for all the replies.
Will pass the info on.

Spotta