3 Network Adapters and 3 ISPs

[ronm]

Main OS is XP and VMs are also XP SP3.

I have 3 network cards installed

1) Connects to router with cable internet
2) Connects to router with DSL internet
3) Connects to direct to a DSL modem so I can get a direct IP

I have no problem with VM using whatever currect IP my main OS is using but is it possible for 1 VM1 to use NIC1 and use the IP of the cable router, VM2 to use NIC2 and use the IP of the DSL router, and VM3 to grab its own DSL IP on NIC3?

Personally I normally use the NIC1 and use my cable router, when I want to jump on my DSL if cable is down or for whatever reason I just disable NIC 1. When I want to grab a new IP not on the routers I disable NIC1 and NIC2 and connect directly to DSL. This might not be the best solution but has always worked for me. My cable connection has issues too often and I work from home so cannot have downtime.

I have tried with the PCnet- Fast III and the Intel Pro/1000 T Server drivers but I can only get NAT to work. I am curious if this should work and was I on the right track trying to make it work under Bridged Adapter?

[Sasquatch]

You have to use bridged. Now, if the first two internet connections have a router between the PC and internet, you're gold. The VMs will appear as separate machines and get internet, no problems there. With your third connection, you say that the system is directly connected to the internet, so the IP address the OS gets is an internet one. With that being the case, you have to disable the TCP/IP protocols in the network adapter properties in order to give the Guest internet through that connection. The provider only gives you one IP address, so only one system can have internet through it. That's why routers are used, it makes it possible to have more than one computer on one internet connection.

[ronm]

My ISP I can get as many as I want, I have the modem connected to a switch, the router connected to the switch and any other PC I connect to the switch gets it's won External IP from the ISP. You are correct most ISPs do not let this happen but mine always has which is why I have the switch between the modem and router.

Will this change the directions you gave me? Thanks for replying and helping me out.

*Edit The modem is in bridge mode for this reason.

Also the way you said would work for me if it can't work any other way. I would not need to get an IP from that connection on my Main OS if I get the VMs working. I would rather just use a VM then switch back and forth anyways.

One last question - I found some info when trying to figure this out myself saying that I would need to use the Intel driver I stated earlier. Is that true for what I am doing?

Then I will work on getting the dial up modem setup for this to. Can't believe I waited so long to look into VMs.

[Sasquatch]

Well, you still have to follow my directions if you want to have 3 VMs and each use a different internet connection. Just the last part for the IP isn't needed, if you're sure it works. I don't know how it works on your end, so all I can do is advise and go with what I do know. Bridge them all to the separate ISPs and you're done.