Is this possible?

[KIF]

I just got a new DSL line to replace my cable. Is there anyway for me to run both a cable connection and a DSL connection on the same machine and get the combined benefits of them? Thanks.

KIF

[DrZaius]

Hi KIF,

I don't think that's possible. It would require an advanced router that can determine which connection is used more and then switch back and forth between the two too distrbute the connection load. But that sounds very complicated and I don't think it's feasable. If it was I'm sure more people would be doing it. Hope that helps.

[KIF]

yea, your probably right. Maybe a software app that would force upload to go thru one and download to receive thur another.

KIF

[melloman]

Just stick with the fastest one.

[mbossman2]

You would need a router that is capable of load balancing.

This is an advanced routing feature that is implemented using routing protocols (like RIP, IGRP, EIGRP and BGP). These protocols are not available on low end routers. To properly implement this you are realistcally looking at a $5K investment in a router (not really ideal for a residential implementation).

There may be a load balancing software out there that can decide on which ethernet port to send the traffic out and then re-assemble the packets as they come in.

[KIF]

Yea, your right. While i did some searching and found a site that sells hardware for just such a project. http://www.fatpipeinc.com Now they dont list there priceing which probably means 5K plus. But I have heard of software that can do this. If i run across it, Ill post back.

KIF

[mbossman2]

Check this part of their page:
http://www.fatpipeinc.com/home_edit.htm

this looks like a software package they offer will do what you want.

[Shikwa]

KIF, also have a look at MidPoint software (similar to Fatpipe) at their site here. I previously tried a trail version of "Midpoint Teamer" which allows users to bond two internet connections. It worked fine at bonding two dialup connections but did not bond bandwidth for streaming media. Nevertheless, for regular browsing it splits the load over the two connections and if you use a download manager that includes a segmented download feature (such as Getright) it can utilize both connections as well for file downloads. I think they stopped selling Midpoint Teamer as a separate application but Midpoint 5.0 still includes this connection teaming feature. Apparently, they state that "MidPoint's unique ability to team two connections includes any type of Internet connection." The question remains, however, whether this software will bond two different types of internet connections such as cable and dsl.

btw.. bonding my two dialup connections using a 56k and a 33.6k modem allowed me to download files at a stable 8-10k/s.. which was quite exciting for a while (no dsl or cable round here) ... but its a good thing the software trial period ended as the phone bills were rocketing skywards .