Can you combine bandwidth using 2 cable modems?

osiris026 · Post by **osiris026** » Thu Mar 22, 2001 3:12 pm

Hello everyone,

Here is my question. I have 2 cable modems at home. What I would like to try is to combine the bandwidth of both the modems. Effectivly, have one computer using both modems to transfer packers "at the same time" or somthing similiar to a network bandwidth loading scenario, where when one cable modem gets loaded it will switch all other connections to the 2nd cable modem. I'm not sure this is possible but with everything, where there is a will there is a way. If it is possible what would one need to accomplish this. I currently have 1 Win 2000 Advanced server running NAT for my other "client machines" to access the internet through my first modem, would like to use the 2nd. Well thanks for your time and your thoughts on this matter.

Sincerly,

Mike

cyberskye · Post by **cyberskye** » Thu Mar 22, 2001 3:57 pm

You could possibly set up load balancing so that two machines on your lan could enjoy full throttle but one machine can't use both modems. You would need some sort of routing/proxy software and a dualport NIC(there is enterprise hw and sw that could accomplish this but you are talking CRAZY money to set that up)

Are the modems split off the same cable or did they run a seperate line to your house? Splitting the signal could only hurt each individual connection, if it has any affect on your line.

glc1 · Post by **glc1** » Thu Mar 22, 2001 4:13 pm

Originally posted by cyberskye:
You would need some sort of routing/proxy software

midpoint.com or sufrdoubler.com

Originally posted by cyberskye:
and a dualport NIC

A "dual port NIC", if it even exists, isn't needed. Just one NIC per connection (account) and one NIC for the LAN.

If you want to use both connections on a single process, expensive hardware, from Cisco, Netopia, etc., is needed.

osiris026 · Post by **osiris026** » Thu Mar 22, 2001 5:12 pm

Thanks for the tips. If im not mistaken isnt midpoint (I have looked into this product) just for HTTP requests only? If hardware is the only other alternative, which models from cisco, netopia would provide the solution? And what should i be looking for in a product to acheive this as well.

Here is alittle more information on my current setup, if that helps at all. I have 5 PC's. One is setup running Windows 2000 Advanced server, running these services: DCHP, DNS, NAT (for internet sharing). Other clients consist of 2000 professional and one Windows 98 machine. In the 2000 box i have 3 nic cards. One for LAN, One for the first cable modem and another nic card for the 2nd cable modem. Well there you have it if you can give me anymore info on any hardware or software products that would set me up I would appreciate it.

Thanks again,

Mike

PrestonConnors · Post by **PrestonConnors** » Thu Mar 22, 2001 6:38 pm

It will work but no matter what you do (notice I said you. your ISP can easily combine the bandwith but they usually don't)
it functions as two different connections. it makes sense for surfing the web but for example an ftp transfer will only use one of the cable modem's bandwith (unless of course you split the file up and you log in to the ftp server twice). it goes the same for your upstream bandwith aswell.

if you are paying for two accounts from your isp you can ask them to just double your bandwith on one connection. they can usually do this up to the maximum throuhput of your cable modem...usually 6-10mbps.

glc1 · Post by **glc1** » Thu Mar 22, 2001 7:49 pm

Originally posted by osiris026:
If im not mistaken isnt midpoint (I have looked into this product) just for HTTP requests only?

I don't know.

Originally posted by osiris026:
which models from cisco, netopia would provide the solution?

http://forums.speedguide.net/cgi-bin/ul ... 8&t=001392
http://forums.speedguide.net/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic&f=8&t=001422
http://forums.speedguide.net/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic&f=2&t=008371

Originally posted by Preston Connors:
It will work but no matter what you do (notice I said you. your ISP can easily combine the bandwith but they usually don't)
it functions as two different connections.

Unless a hardware solution is used.

osiris026 · Post by **osiris026** » Fri Mar 23, 2001 12:01 am

Well let me pose a problem i ran into after i immediately plug in the 2nd modem into the second nic card. This is really wierd and most likely a fluke in the Remote access and routing suite in 2000 server. Right after i plug in the second modem and brought it online, and of course started browsing the net, while i was watching the net connections (packets sent and recieved and all) I noticed to my amazement that my first modem was sending packets and my second modem was recieving the packets. I checked the stats for both modems, many times, and sure enough that was the case. It was using one modem to send and the second modem to recieve. Well that lasted for about 15 minutes and then it took a plunge into the deep ocean. From that point on I was unable to reproduce that effect. Just wondering if anyone else has come across this anomoly, and if this would effectivly bring me that bigger "pipe" in bandwidth that everyone is always wishing for.

Well thanks for all the helpful posts

Thanks,

Mike

HMS White Star · Post by **HMS White Star** » Fri Mar 23, 2001 10:01 pm

This is my small entiree in to load balancing software, did you know that load balancing is option in network settings in Win2k Adv Serv, don't ask me how to do it, I just know it exists.

osiris026 · Post by **osiris026** » Sat Mar 24, 2001 3:48 am

yes i am aware about the load balancing option in Win 2k been looking into it, maybe ill see some luck there.

Kip Patterson · Post by **Kip Patterson** » Sat Mar 24, 2001 7:01 am

Each modem will have its own IP address. That limits how much aggregating you can do on your end. Nothing you can do will allow both to work on the same download, for example.

Your ISP could, in principle, aggregate the two connections under a single IP using a router, but I've never heard of one that would do so.

In any case you will need two accounts with your ISP, which may have been mentioned earlier.

Good luck,

Kip Patterson

glc1 · Post by **glc1** » Sat Mar 24, 2001 5:41 pm

Originally posted by Kip Patterson:
Nothing you can do will allow both to work on the same download, for example.

Not even a high-end Cisco or Netopia router?

Kip Patterson · Post by **Kip Patterson** » Sat Mar 24, 2001 7:18 pm

Yes - if it is at the ISP. The limitation is that all the servers that one might talk to or download from expect just one IP address. There is nothing the user can do to make the two modems have just one IP.

On the other hand, combining the bandwidth is common in the internet world. If your ISP has a DS-3 line to the world, for example, and it gets overloaded, they might add another DS-3. At each end they put a Cisco router or the equivalent and program to split the traffic equally between the two circuits. Not really rocket science. First packet goes on circuit one, second on circuit 2, third on circuit one, etc.

Kip

glc1 · Post by **glc1** » Sat Mar 24, 2001 8:05 pm

Originally posted by Kip Patterson:
Yes - if it is at the ISP.

I meant if the customer is using a Cisco or Netopia to bind the two connections.

osiris026 · Post by **osiris026** » Sun Mar 25, 2001 1:11 am

Netopia currently has nothing that will facilitate that need. FYI. still waiting to hear back from cisco though.

Thanks for everyone's responses

Mike

glc1 · Post by **glc1** » Sun Mar 25, 2001 1:13 am

Originally posted by osiris026:
Netopia currently has nothing that will facilitate that need. FYI. still waiting to hear back from cisco though.

Thanks for everyone's responses

Mike

Please post Cisco's response when available.

osiris026 · Post by **osiris026** » Sun Mar 25, 2001 1:17 am

will do. and thx for the secy pic of 2pac lol

glc1 · Post by **glc1** » Mon Mar 26, 2001 2:46 pm

Originally posted by osiris026:
will do. and thx for the secy pic of 2pac lol

I'm hoping you're female.

That's the cover of CD, BTW.

osiris026 · Post by **osiris026** » Mon Mar 26, 2001 3:12 pm

LOL!!! No im a male. Just giving you a hard time is all.