Combining a Wired and a Wireless network for faster speed

Unless you're good with Linux/Unix your best bet is to buy a multi-wan router or a Link Balancer. I just purchased a 4 WAN link balancer for the company I work for. We have a 10mbps T1, 2Mbps t-1, and two DSL lines. Now all 4 of them are in use on the network. If you're downloading like 4 or 5 files... Two will be downloading over 1 of the connections then each other one will go over the other ones.

One thing you should know about Combining two different ISP's is that if you're downloading a single file it will only be able to use one of the connections. Because of the TCP handshake that's happening with the server you're retrieving the file from if you were to try and download the same file from two different ISP's the server would think it's two different people asking for the same file.

Just want to make sure you're clear on that... But if you're downloading multiple files, browsing the internet, and gaming all at the same time a link balancer is perfect.

If you want me to send you some links to different products that will help you out let me know. They combine the two ISP's into one LAN line for the inside. Or even more than 2...

Thanks for your in depth reply.
I am not looking to spend a massive amount and was hoping to do it with software.
I am willing to take a look at what products you mentioned so please send them over.
Is there not a Linux Distro that does the job; but nothing overly complex?

Thanks

There's this cisco one which new for around 200 but they have some used here on amazon for $115.

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B0002I7288/ref=nosim/9938135-rg2422-00-20

$300 netgear
http://www.google.com/products/catalog?q=Netgear+FVS336G&oe=utf-8&client=firefox-a&hl=en&cid=6118009956069516229&ei=WnSJTLaGOoPUiwSokqywBg&sa=title&ved=0CBcQ8wIwATgA#p

All though I'll tell you what... If you want to contact me off the site at keith (at) opswat (.) com I will be more than happy to help you with a linux setup.

You would need a box with at least 3 LAN Ports and a some linux experience. I don't have a LOT of experience with this but I have done it before. I can send you a link to a site that will walk you through it and any extra questions you have on the side you can message me personally at the address I sent you.

So if you'd like to do that just let me know otherwise you can pick up one of the devices above like I said or search for more Dual WAN routers. That's what it is.. Dual WAN router.

So some of the dual wan routers only have one LAN port... If you get one with only one LAN port and you have wireless and wired computers then you need to makes sure that your wireless router has a switch so you can plug the single LAN cable from your Dual port WAN into the switch part of the wireless router. Other wise you'll need to plug the LAN cable from the dual wan router into a hub or some other switch then split it from there into your wireless router and wired computers.

Good luck, and please don't hesitate to e-mail me. It could be kind of fun to try and help someone set up link balancing over a linux box.

I thought I would just mentioned that I agree with keith.

Without substantial skills, it would be worth spending the money on a dual wan router. It means it will be a simplified solution for any of your PC's

I really don't want to spend a lot of time setting up a dedi Linux box neither do I want to spend any money.
This is not for business purposes and is for home use, I am looking for something more straight forward using software based solutions. I will accept the above answer shortly (which Is of very high quality but I wish to do this for free) if I don't receive any more input

Thanks!

Well send me an e-mail or give me your e-mail address and I'll create a walkthrough with possibly another way you can do it without purchasing stuff or a walkthrough for the simplest way to set up a computer as a router.

Cheers for input, Wasn't easy and won't be purchasing a router but thanks.