> I understand that LACP provides redundacy and more multiple stream > bandwidth from other PCs but I'm looking more for throughput between the > NAS and the work machine. > >
In that case, link aggregation (LACP) isn't the technology you want--it won't improve throughput in any meaningful way between just two systems no matter if you have 1 or 8 links bundled together. You need 10GbE, infiniband, etc. > > You're refferring to something like a VPN connection? > No, not VPN...basically, your work machine and NAS would be dual homed. They'd both remain on your main network, but you would put new NICs in each and set them up on a separate, dedicated, point-to-point network as well using a high speed technology such as 10Gb over fiber or copper. You'd set up the new interface to use a static IP addresses on a separate subnet and don't provide any gateway address. You'd then just create entries in your HOSTS file so that when you resolve the other box's name, you would get the address over the faster link. It isn't elegant, but it would solve your issue. > My HTPC runs W7 Ultimate and the NAS / file server runs Server 2008 R2. > How do you make sure the connections are SMB2? This is done > automatically, correct? As Bryan indicated, it's automatic when both hosts are Win6+.
