2 ethernet jacks -> single net connection?

[James Miller <jamtat@mailsnare.net>]

I've got 2 physical ethernet jacks available to me here.  I assume each
processes traffic independently: I've been online at both simultaneoulsy
with 2 different computers, anyway.  Since I'll be setting up a
firewall/router here (LRP type thing, with an older computer), I was just
wondering about the possibilities of combining the two into a single
internet connection (should make the connection faster, according to my
understanding).  The way I could see this happening physically is that
each jack has a cable going to a NIC in the router/firewall, which in turn
has a NIC that leads to a hub/switch (3 NIC's in the router/firewall).  
The router/firewall NATs to/from the two jacks to/from the local network.  
Somehow I recall the term "channel bonding" relative to this, though I
don't know if that's really what I'm trying to do.  First, I'd just like
to ask if, in principle, what I'm thinking about doing is possible (for
me-bearing in mind that I can likely get the assistance of a certain 3rd 
tier Linux-guru-in-training mentioned in an earlier post)?  If so, my next 
question is: in broad terms, how?  It would be nice if one of the 
router/firewall distros can more or less automate this setup for me/us.  
Input appreciated.

Thanks, James
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