My setup:

ADSL 4 port +wireless router for internet connection
16port Switch for secure intranet

System looks like this
xppro on all cpu's

cpu1-NIC1->adsl
-NIC2->16S

cpu2-NIC1->adsl
-NIC2->16S

cpu3-NIC1->adsl
-NIC2->16S

cpu4-NIC1->adsl
-NIC2->16S

cpu5-NIC1->16S
cpu6-NIC1->16s
twain1-NIC1->16s
twain2-NIC1->16s
twain3-NIC1->16s

when I want to print or share files I need to disable NIC1 and have NIC2 enabled
When I want to remote desktop on one of the four computers connected to the adsl I have to make sure that NIC1 is enabled and NIC2 is disabled

this is not that big of a problem,
there is not usually a reason for any of the cpus to be connected to the internet and I like to not have any connection but the ability to connect remotely is important, though without compromising my networks security, the internet connectivity poses a risk, maybe.

Here's the main question. Would adding a workstation/server with dual built-in NICs or just a motherboard with dual gigabit built-in allow me to access this cpu remotely without having to enable / disable the network cards? This addition of a portal or gateway whatever it may be called cpu would seem to help alot, giving me access to any of the cpus regardless of which NIC is enabled though with some security risk.

Here's a better way to do this...

[img][/img][img]

yes I could do that but I still would like to keep the intranet from being directly connected to the internet, that is why I was considering using the dual built-in NIC system as a possible solution, So I repeat my question.

Would the hardware be able to allow both network connections to be connected and enabled at the same time to gain access to the other network devices through this computer gateway.

Yes it would.

Just make sure you DISABLE IP forwarding on the "gateway" computer. And don't put any kind of gateway in the TCP/IP configuration for NIC2 on any computer.

WARNING. This solution is a bit ... um ... odd. Since your externally connected PC is right on the internet, this is actually less secure than the suggestion of the previous poster who recommended a NAT router. All it takes is a patient script kiddie to compromise and take over the "gateway" computer, and then they have full access to your private network by remote controlling the gateway.

A good firewall would be a much better and safer solution. Any consumer router that includes an SPI firewall would do the job. You could set up the router/firewall to block all traffic except remote desktop and DNAT the remote desktop traffic through to your internal LAN.

I guess the most important concept here is that, in the configuration you are considering, your intranet is MORE directly connected to the internet than it is with the setup suggested by el0him

A half decent router should be able to do everything you require and then some.

From your description it seems that CPU 5&6 are always without internet access. That is no problem. Assign them static IP and block all outside traffic to them.

Terminating the connection and other functions are available remotely.

As I am waiting for the price cuts on the new quad processors, this is still in the works. Thanks for all the advise and here is what I see that the setup will look like.
network