Tips for Using Two Internet Connections Simultaneously

Tips for Using Two Internet Connections Simultaneously

Using two Internet connections is known as "multi-homing" and offers additional capacity and redundancy if done correctly. Multi-homing with two Internet connections is most easily and productively done using multiple broadband connections, as there are routers designed specifically for such a purpose to make setup and implementation easier. Use these tips to get acquainted with using two internet connections simultaneously and get the most out of a multi-homing setup.

DO: Purchase a multi-WAN router if possible

A multi-homing router features more than one input for WAN connections. This allows for easier handling of fail-over and load balancing functions for an entire network. However, these routers are intended for business use more so than personal home networks and therefore cost a bit more due to their specialist nature. They are also more complicated to set up than single-WAN plug-and-play devices.

DO: Be tech-savvy if attempting to multi-home without a router

Multi-homing is possible without a router but requires the installation of multiple network adapters in a single computer. New software scripts are also necessary to manage routing and configuration of the two connections in concert using these network adapters. Knowledge of NIC bonding and how to implement it is required if multi-homing without a router designed for the purpose.

DON'T: Expect more than failover from a network operating system's multi-homing support

Windows and Mac OS X both have built-in support for multi-homing but this support is severely limited. A computer using either operating system features configuration options for multiple data connections but only for switching between the connections when one fails. The inherent multi-homing support in either operating system does not support load balancing or aggregation of network bandwidth between the connections.

DON'T: Anticipate twice the download speed without load balancing

Using two internet connections at once necessitates the use of two modems, each of which has its own IP address. Websites and other servers only interact with one of these IP addresses at a time, meaning workloads will only apply to one connection at a time rather than being split between both. Scripting is used to assign specific tasks to one connection or the other, lessening the load on a given connection and allowing for more simultaneous download and upload tasks, but doing so requires some programming knowledge or software solutions in addition to the two connections.

Even without load balancing, multi-homing is a great way to ensure a constant internet connection. Having two different connections running simultaneously gives a computer or network a backup connection should one of the connections fail. Getting two different connections from two different service providers, such as mixing cable and DSL, is the best way to guarantee at least one connection is working at any given time.

N.B :-

Multi-homing with Windows XP and newer versions no longer requires the installation of a second network adapter to take advantage of multiple connections. The fail-over support included in more recent versions of Windows allows for the setup of multiple connections using the default adapter alone.