Two network connections

Post by **FatherJack** » November 7th, 2007, 19:12

Has anyone experimented with this?

Currently I have a very reliable, low latency, ~512k DSL connection which is fine for playing games, but not for downloading big patches and stuff.

I was thinking of switching to Virgin's XL 20M but the almost constant reports of flakiness worry me, so I might like to keep my existing connection as well, somehow.

Any networky people know how I could route the two networks without creating collisions and all sorts of spackage, or am I better to physically connect the network I require as and when?

Post by **deject** » November 7th, 2007, 19:24

You'd definitely need a router (as this is what they're for), set up to send gaming stuff, skype, TS, etc. through the low-latency pipe, and all the mass transfer stuff (big downloads) through the other one. I think most consumer level routers cannot do this, although I think the Tomato firmware for certail Linksys and Buffalo ones can.

amblin · Post by **amblin** » November 7th, 2007, 19:47

spoodie · Post by **spoodie** » November 7th, 2007, 20:08

I can't offer advice on what you want to do but I've been using Virgin for a couple of months with no problems.

Post by **ProfHawking** » November 7th, 2007, 20:21

I was thinking about doubling up my virgin20mb with be's 24mb
Was planning to use this device:
http://www.google.co.uk/products?q=FVS124G

but there is also this option: http://www.draytek.co.uk/products/vigor2910.html

Netgear is probably cheaper than the draytek, and pretty much does the same stuff.

Remember with all these dual wan things, you would prob need two modem things, one for each connection.

Post by **deject** » November 7th, 2007, 21:22

if you can find an old Cisco 2600 router for cheap that'd work great.

Post by **FatherJack** » November 7th, 2007, 21:43

Cheers, I'll have a look at the routing devices, but I won't need modems, other than the devices Pipex Wireless (current) and Virgin provide as they spit out ethernet.

Old Cisco kit is probably something I can easily obtain from work, as we've been replacing Cisco equipment with Extreme Networks kit for a while.

cheeseandham · Post by **cheeseandham** » November 7th, 2007, 21:52

Yeah I left Virgin 20Mb XL package when I moved and am happy back on ADSL.
Anyway, for 2 network connections at work we use an IPCop which basically turns a crappy old (386+) PC into VERY configurable router.
We actually run them at the same time and use routes and scripts for controlling the traffic. e.g. traffic for a set of IP's goes to one ADSL (high quality line for voice traffic) and all other goes to the BT line (general surfing,etc)
It also allows for lots of add-ons e.g.
* wintermute website - IPCop V1.4.x addon binary collection
* Sourceforge IPcop addon's page

If you want more info you know where to find me

Lateralus · Post by **Lateralus** » November 7th, 2007, 21:55

spoodie wrote:I can't offer advice on what you want to do but I've been using Virgin for a couple of months with no problems.

I've been with Virgin/Telewest for 4 years now, and to be honest they've been pretty good. Not noticed any problems recently, and on the whole the service is really good. Customer service is hit and miss, and depends largely depends on who you speak to, but I've only really needed them for moving house.

Post by **HereComesPete** » November 7th, 2007, 22:05

cheeseandham wrote:*Lots of stuff*

We have winnar! This is ideal for many 5punkers looking to get dual lines, because most of you have spare rigs, and you don't need to fork out on expensive goodies for networking, spend it on another screen or a big fat hd telly.

Post by **FatherJack** » November 7th, 2007, 22:11

I'm almost sold on Virgin as a replacement, it's just the recent moans that have made me cautious.

What I have is incredibly reliable - only three outages in over seven years - one for local hardware failure, one unexplained temporary glitch and one (ahem) non-payment of bill - plus the latency and contention ratios are to die for, which are the biggie for games. As you can tell, I'm reluctant to give up on such a great service, but the speed isn't up to modern standards (even though the price rather is) Also the A in ADSL is a bit of a turnoff - I upload plenty. Edit: Scratch ADSL entirely, telephone lines can get to fuck.

Most devices seem to have an either/or stipulation on whether the dual WANs are active/passive, OR active/active bridged for more speed - and I kind of want both, although configuration options may suit what I have in mind.

Yet to check out the Cheese and Hamster's solution, will do so.

Killavodka · Post by **Killavodka** » November 7th, 2007, 23:09

Although I have had a lot of problems with internet (ARGH PING OMFG), I cannot fault Virgin as a reliable ISP. Customer service isn't free, but its not in chicken language which is a rarity in itself. Just go for it, and if it doesn't work out then I'm sure customer support would be able to help.

buzzmong · Post by **buzzmong** » November 7th, 2007, 23:22

Virgin customer support is great if:

1) It's not a busy time of day and they've got people on the phones

2) It's not about billing.

amblin · Post by **amblin** » November 7th, 2007, 23:37

buzzmong · Post by **buzzmong** » November 8th, 2007, 1:24

amblin wrote:
You used to work there, still have the direct dials, your best mate is still there and you know people in tech support there.

Oh, that may just be me.

cupcake in the nicest possible way

spoodie · Post by **spoodie** » November 8th, 2007, 10:51

Lateralus wrote:Customer service is shit

Fix'd

They didn't provide me with a username/password that I could use for email and trying to get that out of them was more trouble than it was worth so I gave up. I use my own hosting and gmail anyway.

cheeseandham · Post by **cheeseandham** » November 8th, 2007, 11:36

FatherJack wrote:Also the A in ADSL is a bit of a turnoff - I upload plenty.

Erm,
ADSL Max Premium = 8Mbit/800kbit (theoretical, but if you ain't a gazillion miles away from the exchange it shouldn't be toooo bad)
Virgin XL = 20Mbit/384kbit (again theoretical, you rarely get 20Mbit in my experience unless you're FTPing from a NTL/Blueyonder FTP server.

So what was that about upload?

Oh and also check out OpenWRT looks very interesting but not played with it.

Post by **Dr. kitteny berk** » November 8th, 2007, 11:40

Bethere: potentially 24mbit down, 1.3mbit up (2.5 on their pro accounts)

Obviously, as with all ADSL, it's limited by line quality, but I get 1,265kbps up, 7,709kbps down on a shite line.

can upload a dvd during the day quite easily.

cheeseandham · Post by **cheeseandham** » November 8th, 2007, 11:44

FJ, How far are you from your Exchange?
Maybe your current provider can regrade you to an ADSL Max/Max Premium service so you don't have to faff around and still get the low latency etc that you want?

Post by **Dr. kitteny berk** » November 8th, 2007, 11:47

cheeseandham wrote:FJ, How far are you from your Exchange?
Maybe your current provider can regrade you to an ADSL Max/Max Premium service so you don't have to faff around and still get the low latency etc that you want?

I suspect they'd make him move on to another package, likely one with shit contention and evil limits.

Not to mention, reliability can go to shit on adslmax if your line is poor (my interweb used to disconnect if it got wet or dry quite quickly)