[ Date Index ] [ Thread Index ] [ <= Previous by date / thread ] [ Next by date / thread => ]
On Thu, 26 Feb 2009, Grant Sewell wrote:
I'm looking for a way have 2 direct ADSL connections on the same box (be that a pre-fab router or a home-made router) where I can load balance across them. Any ideas about the PCI ADSL cards?
I've looked into this myself relatively recently as I've thought about adding router capabilities to my PBX system - because that way I can eliminate the rubbish offerings by most routers on the market these days (bad or no traffic shaping, broken NAT handling and stupid SIP ALGs)
I came to the conclusion that putting ADSL cards inside PCs was not going to be the bet way because I couldn't find one that would work, or be avalable. The next best thing was going to be USB adapters, but I ruled that out for a PBX application (but not for my home gateway, but I've not tried it yet).
However what I've been seriously looking at is getting ADSL modems (just a modem, not a router!), or turning existing modem/routers into pure modems) that will work in half-bridge mode - effectively doing protocol translation - PPPoA in, and PPPoE out.
So you feed them into a Linux box with 1, 2, ... Ethernet ports and do the PPPoE in the Linux box, the traffic shaping and load balancing there.
Draytek make a reasonable modem for about 50 quid, but the going rate appears to be from about £25 up to £100. I suspect they're more expensive than a combined modem/router/wifi simply due to the lack of volume sales.
See: http://www.broadbandbuyer.co.uk/default_ShopGroup.asp?ShopGroupID=1Just remember that load balancing, isn't bonding. You will not double the speed on a single connection, but multiple users (or an application opening multiple streams) will benefit. I'm sure you know this, but will mention it as it's something I get asked from time to time. You need compatable equipment at both ends of the link to do channel bonding.
And when that JCB comes along and digs up the road, it's going to take all of them out :)
For the actual load balancing stuff, there is a good starter on the LARTC site - start here: http://lartc.org/
It's been a while since I've set something like this up myself, but looks like I might need to soon (with a 3G device as backup to main ADSL)
Gordon
-- The Mailing List for the Devon & Cornwall LUG http://mailman.dclug.org.uk/listinfo/list FAQ: http://www.dcglug.org.uk/linux_adm/list-faq.html