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Multiple internet connections on one network
I have an office that is installing some management software which is cloud based. The recommended bandwidth for 10 pc's is 2Mbs up and down. The only broadband in the area is DSL with 4Mbs down and 768 up. The upload speed is the issue. I'm looking for a way to "combine" or split the two to get the required upload speeds. It's not quite 2Mbs up if combined, but close enough. We can get 2 DSL lines in the office. I have 2 thoughts on how to get this to work.
1. I was considering a router with a Load Balancing option (like the Cisco RV042), but from what I can tell, Load Balancing just shifts the bandwidth to which ever line works best.
2. Have 2 routers on the line (DHCP will be off) and have half the pc's configured with Router 1 as the default gateway and the other half on Router 2.
Any thoughts?
1. I was considering a router with a Load Balancing option (like the Cisco RV042), but from what I can tell, Load Balancing just shifts the bandwidth to which ever line works best.
2. Have 2 routers on the line (DHCP will be off) and have half the pc's configured with Router 1 as the default gateway and the other half on Router 2.
Any thoughts?
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Zach Shaver
what you are looking for is referred to as link aggregation
you could possibly get a cheap router with DD-WRT and use load balancing to achieve this
The company I am dealing with provides their own modem to pull the lines together. I should have mentioned that earlier. .... Thinkpads_User
Here is the company we are working with.
http://www.radiant.net/
I am sure there are others as well. .... Thinkpads_User
http://www.radiant.net/
I am sure there are others as well. .... Thinkpads_User
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For non ddwrt gear, I'd recommend a sonicwall, probably the tz210. If you don't get wifi or all the subscriptions it's only $500
Guys,
It sounds to me you are all talking about load balancing for outbound traffic, but did you forget about load balancing for inbound?
It sounds to me you are all talking about load balancing for outbound traffic, but did you forget about load balancing for inbound?
I think best for this scenario would be MultiLink Bundling; whereby you can combine 2 ports in to one bundle. These 2 ports will be taking inputs from 2 separate internet.
Refer below post:
http://www.techrepublic.com/blog/networking/use-multilink-ppp-to-combine-multiple-circuits-into-a-single-circuit-with-a-single-router-interface/498
Refer below post:
http://www.techrepublic.com/blog/networking/use-multilink-ppp-to-combine-multiple-circuits-into-a-single-circuit-with-a-single-router-interface/498
mohammadanwar, I believe someone already mentioned that...
ASKER
Like I mentioned, I have a Cisco/Linksys RV042 (or RV082) that has Dual WAN inputs. Anyone have experience with one of those?
I agree with thinkpads_user. For your requirements you probably need to be talking to the ISP.
Agreed. BEST is to have the isp bond the connections.
ASKER
ISP is ATT. Don't think they do that.
Oh yeah they do.
They probably do.
Just as a comment, a 768kbps outgoing DSL connection is realistically about 600kbps. You will be pretty far below 2mbps even if you get 2 circuits bonded.
Is "metropolitan ethernet" an option? Multiple voice-grade copper pairs bonded together for broadband speed (with some fancy hardware on both ends; Actelis MetaLight for example). It's expensive but works very well for us (20/20 in our case). Avoid talking to the phone company proper except as a point of reference - They will have the highest prices. Find a provider who can do the same thing and it will probably cost much less since they get the copper pairs at deep discount via obscure FCC rules and regulations promoting market competition.
Just as a comment, a 768kbps outgoing DSL connection is realistically about 600kbps. You will be pretty far below 2mbps even if you get 2 circuits bonded.
Is "metropolitan ethernet" an option? Multiple voice-grade copper pairs bonded together for broadband speed (with some fancy hardware on both ends; Actelis MetaLight for example). It's expensive but works very well for us (20/20 in our case). Avoid talking to the phone company proper except as a point of reference - They will have the highest prices. Find a provider who can do the same thing and it will probably cost much less since they get the copper pairs at deep discount via obscure FCC rules and regulations promoting market competition.
ASKER
Just curious. Why wouldn't the ISP suggest bonding when I expressed a need for more speed?
I suppose it could be the rep you spoke to doesn't know to offer that, or they may not have it. The couple of times I've looked into bonding, I had to ask about it. They didn't offer it up first, maybe because it's not all that commonly used by them. Who knows. Ask them and then you'll know for sure. :)
If AT&T doesn't do channel bonding, don't be afraid to approach other providers. Even if ATT owns the copper circuits, there should be other provider options. FCC doesn't like monopolies in this business. One thing that might keep you with ATT is if you're locked into a long-term contract that would carry a stiff penalty to get out of early if you switch providers.
ASKER
Looks like we're going to try load balancing. T1 and bonding are too expensive.
Just keep in mind if you load balance over 2 links (as opposed to channel bonding), each user's "bandwidth experience" is equal to a single link's speed.
I should probably have said "each user's best bandwidth experience with a single connection" is equal to the speed of one of your links, and that's if they're not competing with anyone else.