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Two servers can exchange data without a public Internet connection by connecting them over Ethernet and configuring a path between their network addresses. The link can be a cable directly between the servers or a local Ethernet switch. IP still carries the traffic; the public Internet is a separate network that is not required for local communication.
What “without the Internet” means
A server-to-server connection can use Internet Protocol (IP) without using the public Internet. IP is the system that addresses and routes packets; the Internet is a global network of interconnected networks. A private, isolated Ethernet link or LAN can carry IP traffic without an ISP connection or public route.
This distinction matters when describing VPNs and tunnels. RFC 1918 explains that two sites can communicate over a public network by encapsulating their private traffic at the network boundaries. If that public transport is the Internet, the traffic may be tunneled or encrypted, but the physical path still depends on the Internet. RFC 1918
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How a server-to-server packet gets there
At the application level, one server connects to a service on the other server using its IP address and a port. The IP layer checks whether the destination belongs to the same IP network or must be reached through a router. On Ethernet, the sender also needs a link-layer destination address: the peer’s MAC address for local delivery, or the next-hop router’s MAC address when sending off-subnet.
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- The application selects a destination. It tries to reach the other server’s service at an IP address and port. The service must be running and configured to accept the connection.
- IP determines the next hop. If the destination is on the sender’s subnet, the packet can be delivered on the local link. If it is on another subnet, the sender needs a route through a router or another forwarding mechanism.
- Ethernet delivers the frame locally. For IPv4, Address Resolution Protocol (ARP) can look up the Ethernet address associated with a local IP address. If the mapping is not already known, an ARP request can be broadcast on the local Ethernet. RFC 1180 describes this address-resolution and routing process; Apple’s archived networking guide also explains the conversion from a logical IP address to a physical Ethernet address. Apple networking guide
- Forwarding preserves the final destination. For traffic to another subnet, the Ethernet frame goes to the next-hop router. The IP packet remains addressed to the destination server as it is forwarded.
Choose a physical topology
Direct Ethernet between two servers
A direct Ethernet link is a simple option when only two servers need to communicate and their network interfaces support the connection. Give each interface a distinct IP address in the same subnet, then allow the required traffic in the host firewalls and server application. This removes a switch from the path, but it does not eliminate the need for correct addressing or service configuration.
Switch-based local network
Connect the servers to an Ethernet switch when you need a shared connection point or have additional local devices. A switch joins devices on an Ethernet LAN; it is not an ISP connection and does not, by itself, provide DNS, DHCP, routing, or Internet access. Addresses can be configured manually or assigned by a local DHCP service. The needed port count, supported link speed, and cable choice depend on the server interfaces and installation; there is no universal speed or cable category established for every setup.
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Separate subnets
If the servers use different IP networks, they need a valid route and a router or other device configured to forward traffic between those networks. Check that both servers have a route back to one another and that firewalls permit the intended traffic in both directions. Private addresses can be used on these links, but overlapping address ranges can cause problems if independently managed networks are later joined.
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RFC 1918 reserves three IPv4 ranges for private use: 10.0.0.0–10.255.255.255 (10/8), 172.16.0.0–172.31.255.255 (172.16/12), and 192.168.0.0–192.168.255.255 (192.168/16). These addresses are intended for internal networks, not as a way to obtain public Internet reachability. RFC 1918
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Microsoft’s Windows Server planning guidance says private addresses do not directly connect to the Internet and describes using a proxy or network address translation (NAT) to translate traffic for Internet access. Microsoft Learn: IPAM planning An isolated LAN that has no public Internet route does not need NAT just to carry local server-to-server traffic.
“Private,” “local,” and “secure” are not interchangeable. Private addressing defines an address scope and routing convention; it does not replace firewall rules, authentication, encryption, or physical security. RFC 1918 explicitly notes in its security considerations that security issues are not addressed in the memo.
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Check the right things when planning or troubleshooting
- Physical connection: Confirm that both interfaces and the cable or switch ports support a working Ethernet link.
- Addressing: Check that each server has a unique address and that the subnet configuration matches the intended topology.
- Routing: For different subnets, confirm routes in both directions and that an appropriate forwarding device is in place.
- Service and firewall: Verify that the destination service is listening on the intended interface and port, and that host firewalls allow the connection.
- Name resolution: If connecting by hostname, ensure a local DNS service or another suitable name-resolution method is configured; a switch alone does not provide it.
- Network boundary: Decide whether the LAN is isolated or also connected to a separately configured Internet gateway. An Internet gateway is not required for isolated local traffic.
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