Dual ethernet links

I currently have a home network (of sorts) but I'm not impressed with the transfer speeds I'm getting. To give you some background info, I have 2 computers - my desktop PC and a server. They are both connected through my router as follows:


Internet
^
| 6mbps
v
-------------> Router <-------------
| |
| 100mbps | 100mbps
| |
v v
Desktop PC Server


The problem is that my router only supports 100mbps, which is pretty slow when it comes to accessing files from my server on my desktop. Even more infuriating, both my desktop and server have gigabit ethernet cards, so I'm thinking of getting secondary NICs for both machines, and setting them up as follows using a crossover cable:


Internet
^
| 6mbps
v
-------------> Router <-------------
| |
| 100mbps | 100mbps
| |
v v
Desktop PC <-------------------------> Server
1000mbps


Before I take the plunge, I just wanted to get some advice as to whether this would actually work or not? Would this still allow me to use the internet connection, but gain the extra bandwidth in communicating between the server and desktop at the same time?

I know another option would be to route the desktops internet through the server via ICS, but not only is my server not always on, but I also want as low latency to the net as possible since I play online games, so the fewer hops, the better.

Thanks!

Trying to determine why 100mbps isn't enough on LAN? Like boonality said, X-over and statically set the IP, but is there a reason your current LAN speed isn't fast enough Server to host?

Thanks for the quick replies!

You might think 100mbps is enough, and I guess it is for the most part. When I'm transfering large files between machines it can be quite slow though. The big reason is that sometimes the connection just hangs - I'm hoping that providing more bandwidth than the HDs on both machines can use will go some way to solving that problem too.

Sounds like more a problem with your router than the connection. 100mbps should be quite fast enough for most home networks, even when running a NAS for video. Maybe find some network latency tests and tracert to see if you are getting bounced around with your connection.

A hang like that is typical of protocol's being in the wrong order or authentication, that has nothing to do with network latency.

I think it's a hub, but I'm by no means certain