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Working With 2 ISPs For Home Networking?

An anonymous reader writes "This is, I think, a simple question — but one which I can't get the answer to. As a typical, but perhaps high-demand home user I would like to use 2 separate ISPs. ADSL is pretty cheap nowadays, and 2 x ADSL seems a better value than one fast one — especially in terms of reliability. If one breaks, at least the other will work. Using an old box as a router/firewall, how can I configure a system to use two completely separate ISPs in a sensible manner? Ideally, I'd like the load of my browsing to be balanced, but at the minimum, I'd want some kind of 'fail-over.' If I leave torrents running over night, I'd like the router to use whichever connection doesn't block the traffic — and preferably for it to reset the errant connection. Ideas?"

6 of 356 comments (clear)

  1. Re:DSL+Cable by wolf12886 · · Score: 5, Funny

    and even if you have ups's for both, your house could be destroyed, better have a back up house,

    but make sure its not in the same neihborhood as your primary...

  2. Re:DSL+Cable by brusk · · Score: 2, Funny

    Hence the need for two power systems, preferably from two different utilities.

    --
    .sig withheld by request
  3. It's easy by Slashcrap · · Score: 4, Funny

    You just get a Linux box with 2 NICs and start adding static routes :

    route add 1.1.1.1 255.255.255.255 eth0
    route add 1.1.1.2 255.255.255.255 eth1
    route add 1.1.1.3 255.255.255.255 eth0

    Etc, etc....

    It might seem like a big job, but there's huge ranges of reserved addresses you can skip. Let us know how you get on.

  4. Re:DSL+Cable by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Funny

    And if the continent sinks, you're still fucked.

    Get 2 houses with 2 power lines and 2 ADSL providers each on 3 different continents.

    Of course, if aliens destroy the planet...

    And don't forget the solar system...

    And wasn't Milky Way about to collide with an another galaxy anyway?

  5. Re:DSL+Cable by dotancohen · · Score: 5, Funny

    and even if you have ups's for both, your house could be destroyed, better have a back up house

    Or, you know, a laptop.

    --
    It is dangerous to be right when the government is wrong.
  6. Re:Point of failure by Toam · · Score: 2, Funny

    Your life probably will not end if you're not online 24x7x365.

    But why risk it?