Multiple internet connections

[mercwrought]

Hi all. This is my first time posting on this board I’m usually on the SQL, VC++, or crystal boards. I have a small home network (10-15 computers). It is connected to my friend’s house via buried copper. We just got a cable internet connection. We already had a DSL connection. Ready for my question? Is there way to connect both connections via hardware and then connect that connection to our network? I understand that xp will allow us to have 2 connection and migrate between them I do not believe that we receive any bandwidth benefit. All computer are 2GHz+ with all having xp home except mine having xp pro. Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

 

[ceh4702]

You might look for a router that allows 2 incoming wan ports. They are expensive, but I have seen them on the Internet before. Look for Hawking Technologies dual WAM port Routers. This is a good solution because all windows knows is that you are on a switch. It is the router that is configured, not the network. You just tell WinXP to connect through the LAN. Basically you have a backup if one connection fails.

If you have both lines coming into the same house this might work.

If you do not like my post feel free to point out your opinion or my errors.

 

[bcastner]

http://www.xincom.com/

http://www.edimax.com/

http://www.hawkingtech.com/prodList.php?FamID=44

etc.

As cej4702 discussed, there are routers designed for multiple WAN connections.

I can promise you that except in the case of download managers such as GetRight, and then only in the specialized case of a download, your actual benefit at any workstation is small to non-existent.

The primary benefit is failover -- if your cable failed, for example, the router would roll-over to the working DSL line. And vice-versa.

You could duplicate the fail-over in-elegantly without using hardware by assigning to each workstation client a second Gateway address, setting the Metric to Manual instead of automatic, and manually assigning Gateway metrics. This would require "flattening" your subnets, so that you and your neighbor shared the same network segment. (You do not want to use Gateways not in your netowrk subnet). This creates a serious security concern.

So, in short, forget about it.

Best wishes,
Bill Castner.

 

[mercwrought]

Thx bcastner. As you stated it appears that most router manufactures produce routers with “Dual-Wan” connections. I understand that the main benefit will be failover but oddly enough some of various descriptions hint at other benefits. I’ve ordered one that looks like it will work and if I have any more information once I get it I post them.