Best way to achieve internet load balancing with 2 different ISPs

[carl_townshend]

Hi All

We currently have 2 internet links from 2 ISP's, they have an IP range which is routed to both links for resiliency, so I imagine they must use BGP or dynamic routing.

We want to be able to utilise both links for inbound traffic (download)

What are our options here?

1.Would the only option to be maybe to ask them for a new IP range and NAT half our internal traffic behind this range, and then get them to force the inbound route for this via the backup router?

cheers

[Joseph W. Doherty]

Inbound Internet LOAD BALANCING is difficult and "messy" to accomplish.

I would suggest you either size your two Internet connections that either can provide whatever you consider the minimum amount of bandwidth (good approach in case of a path failure) or you monitor typical multiple path loading and size each path proportionslly.

If you're determined to do actual inbound load balancing expect to drop down a very deep rabbit hole.

For fun, lab up two routers with two connections and work our how one router gets the other to LB traffic to it based on how the RECEIVING router wants the LB done.

If you accomplish the forgoing, doing similar with Internet just a tad more difficult/complex.

BTW, to be clear, this shouldn't be "impossible" just very "difficult".

[carl_townshend]

I am completely with you on all of the above, my thoughts mirror what you have said.