what is the need for two network cards in proxy server?

Answer 1

a proxy server operates on 2 networks.

network 1 is the internal LAN or the subnet from where your clients access the internet ( typically having ip range like 192.168.*.*) and other network card is used to connect to the global network.(having the IP allocated by your ISP)

tho there is a high level way of tewaking into 1 network card and make it look like two cards, it is not recommended.

so it all boils down to...

1. 2 n/w cards
2. 1- for intranet n/w 2nd- for external n/w

proxy server is simialr to something like NATTING i.e. NATting, Network Address translation. google/yahoo for it you will get a better answer.

Answer 2

You do not need two network cards in a Proxy server.

You only need two network cards if you want the Proxy server to also perform additional functions such as Firewalling or Routing (including Network Address Translation (NAT))

Answer 3

WHOA, you are going to use your computer to run a Proxy Server? I recommend that you get a router instead. That way, you don't have to have that computer running all the time.

But here is your answer. One network card would be used to establish your local area network, and provide the Proxy service. The other network card would be connected to the internet. You see, the computer would isolate the internet from the local area network... But a router does all of this for you. It's cheaper to run and safer.

Answer 4

so you can have 2 wires going out of your machine. Just use a router instead.