I have set up a server connected to a Conexant ADSL modem. The modem is set to get its ip by dhcp (although it is set to 10.0.0.2 by default for LAN). I then have it statically ip set for LAN allowing 10.0.0.3 (the server) to communicate with it.

My problem is that I have never set 3 NIC's up in the same PC. I have done 2 where the adsl router/modem has a static ip, and then I have had the other nic for the lan.

This time I only want 2 pc's to connect to the server without the need for a hub.

What is the best way to do this ? I don't want to use dhcp on the LAN side.

Do I have to assign a separate ip for each of the nic's ?

If so, should each windows pc should use that specific card's address as the gateway ? I take it I can't assign the same ip to all 3 nic's ?

Scratching my head for a while now and not getting too far. The server is on the internet no problem.

Finally (lots of questions I know !) is it right considering that I have set the modem to be dhcp assigned - should my linux box use the isp's dns - or just the modem's ip for dns ?

Thanks

Most important question is:

Do I have to assign a separate ip for each of the nic's and if so, should each windows pc should use that specific card's address as the gateway ?

If only that one gets answered I would be 100% better off than I am at the moment !