Dual WAN Bonding w/ Inbound Balancing on Failover

[umuzidan2015]

Hi,

I'm considering ordering a 2nd coax line into my business (85down/15up/5static IP) from the same ISP and specs which match my current order.

My intent is to bond these two connections within the router to effectively double the bandwidth, however, I can't seem to determine how to, network speaking, accomplish this.

The back story is that we have services and servers running within our network which our customers will need reliable access to. Our current uploads speeds are not sufficient for our likeness and a dedicated ethernet or fiber into our office isn't feasible (both price and installation). Our only option, as offered by Comcast, was to bring a 2nd coax line in.

We use a Cisco 1921 and Sonicwall TZ205. I would be happy using either device to accomplish this.

Can someone please help explain, first, how two identical WAN connections could be bonded to double the bandwidth?

Thanks,

Dan

[Richard Burts]

Dan

The functionality that you describe sounds like the multilink feature in IOS routers. But multilink is for serial interfaces using PPP encapsulation. I am not sure but I doubt that your connection from Comcast is a serial interface using PPP encapsulation. Can you provide some details about your current connection? Posting the configuration of the current interface would be helpful.

If you will have two connections would Comcast be willing to run some routing protocol over both links that would provide capability for load sharing and for automated failover if one link goes down?

HTH

Rick

[umuzidan2015]

Hi Rick,

The current interface (and only interface available from Comcast) is ethernet. I doubt they would be willing to provide me any custom programming in their router to my business, at least not for a low price.

I should probably just archive this idea. I'm looking for simplicity also, the most reliable configuration too.

Btw, the 1921 is not currently in place, but part of our stock of routers, so there isn't any config to post.

Thanks,

Dan

[Joseph W. Doherty]

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Posting

As Rick has suggested, using two routed link normally works well, in fact, L2 bonding often doesn't offer much over it (although MLPPP can often increase bandwidth for a flow).

That said, and without going into all the intricacies of HFC systems, using two cable modems on the same node, you might find your bandwidth isn't effectively doubled as you might hope.

If there's another broadband provider, someone that offers DSL or FiOS, you could also try them for a second link.

[Richard Burts]

Dan

We do not need the configuration of the interface. Knowing that the existing connection is Ethernet is enough. The multi link solution will not work on Ethernet. It might be worth while asking Comcast what they could offer to support two coax/Ethernet connections to your office that might offer load sharing or failover between the links. 

HTH

Rick