Networks Dual Ethernet Ports

What exactly do they do?

I've seen them on a lot of "high end" motherboards lately. Do they just double your internet speed? Like, if I plugged in two on my 1.5 mbps connection, would I get a 3 mbps connection?

 

You usually have 1 that is really fast in transfering packets and uses minimal CPU power, but require drivers... and the other some standard basic one where the drivers are already built-in Windows.

 

They can be used for a varity of advanced purposes, but the average person will only ever use one. Your internet speed is capped by your provider on their network, so short of paying for 2 connections, you can't double your speed.

 

Gives you more flexibility. You can connect your PC to two networks at a time.

 

I have two on mine, but it just means I can have a different config for other networks. DHCP for internet and a static IP for LAN.

 

I was wondering the same thing. Now I know.

 

But there is actually a use for them in increasing ping: Some of the Ethernet drivers are capable of using one for incoming packages and one for outgoing. That lowers your ping a tad. It's not much though and probably only latency decrease, performance-wise you won't notice much.

 

Are you sure that's what you wanted to say?

 

I'd like to have a dual-LAN mobo right now so I could connect one to the 'net, and have the one separated from internet and only be used for my Gblan with NAS and the three rigs that don't need online access anyway.

 

Y'got me there It's decreasing what I ment, obviously

 

When plugged into a home router, you won't get benefit from two physical ports. You can link aggregate (read: bind them together) on business class equipment, but since your onboard network cards will be 100mbps or 1gbps, and your upstream link to the internet is only 1.5mbps ... what's the point?