Topic: Does spec of SMEserver affect Internet connection speed?

[PhilV]

Does the spec of the SME server affect the speed at which it can pass thru internet traffic?

I do not mean web traffic destined for it, but simply, it is running in server / gateway mode, and I have a client PC on my LAN. Does the spec of the SME server machine affect the speed that the machine on the LAN can access the web? I thought it would be a straight pass thru, in one nic and out the other, but now thinking about it I supposed there is nat'ing etc involved.
Strange thing is if i run wget from the server it gets a much higher download speed, than if I try to download using the machine on the LAN. Do I need a faster machine to run SME server on? It is mainly used just as a gateway, but with a few of the added features of a server, as and when needed.

I guess what I am asking is, does the spec of the SME server machine affect the speed the LAN machines can access the web?

Many thanks,

Phil

[Woodbuger]

I dropped from 160KBs down to 154KBs max when I put SME in place of D-Link DI-604 router. Upload stayed about the same. But it was worth it. Also seems to be more secure than the DI-604.

SME 6.01 custom iso
running in Dedicated Server/Gateway mode
1.5mb/384k adsl
800mhz Duron
384mb PC100
Syntax SV266A motherboard
Via-Rhine II on-board LAN
Compaq NC3121 pci (Intel e-100) WAN
10 Gig ata100 X-box hd
Canon BJC-8200 as network printer