[pkuczaj]

I've actually though about the web server and database (MySQL) running on two boxes. But if I'm going to go with a new box, why not go with a dual processor box, and run everything local as it is now? I didn't know that about the upgraded Nic (offloading the cpu), I'll go research a good Nic now, and pick one up for the upgrade that I've go scheduled. I'm upgrading the HD from a 100G IDE to a 146G SCSI Ultra 320 with a caching controller and increasing the UPS time because of the controller.

Originally Posted by SamirDarji

The nics would hit, but a good nic will offload alot of the processing to itself similar to how a SCSI controller does. And don't run the smb connection on any existing nics, but actually have a completely separate gigabit link to the other server just for file transfers. That would allow the same bandwidth to the 3 IPs. I think the amount of cpu power saved by eliminating the IDE would be more than the additional nic would use.

Of course, then there is also the option of splitting the database and web servers onto 2 boxes.