Any simple way to combine two internet connections?

[Windrider]

Decided to try out DSL because of problems I've been having with my cable connection. So, right now, I have them both. I'm using an MSI Neo2 Platinum mobo which has dual WAN connections. Right now, I have them both plugged in and they both work, but in order to be sure I'm using one or the other, I have to disable one of the connections.

Is there any software readily available that would be able to combine the two connections? I know I can get a router with dual wan connections that will combine them, but I'd rather not have to buy more hardware.

I'm using Windows XP Pro, btw. Thanks for any help.

 

[skyking]

Combine, as in double your download speeds?
There is no affordable way for you to do that, nor is there a practical way. The server you would be connected to would have to somehow allow splitting up the data.

 

[amdskip]

There is a router type product that can do this for you but it is not cheap and I can't remember who makes it.

 

[Windrider]

That sucks. So what about something that would allow me to assign a network connection to a specific application? Like web browsing using the cable connection and gaming using another connection.

 

[halfadder]

There used to be a company that sold a little home router that would let you do this. It wasn't cheap, I remember it being something like $300. It wasn't perfect either, but if you had two computers connected to it, or if you were downloading more that one file at a time, it would balance the load between the two broadband connections.

The problem is, their company was bought by Symantec who turned it into some sort of really expensive firewall product. I don't think it even has the dual broadband thing anymore.

I suppose you could build a $200 PC or buy a used PC for $50 and set up your own FreeBSD based router and do the same thing. But sometimes it's nice just to buy a little plug-and-play router appliance and not have to worry about recompiling the kernel and learning unix...

 

[tvarad]

Take a look at these products from Hawking Technologies. But I don't think they give you the combined speed of the two wan ports; it looks like it's more of a backup kind of solution.

 

[tvarad]

Sorry guys, didn't read the first post properly about not wanting to do this in hardware, but as a caveat I've seen some of these things go for $20-$30 which IMHO is not too expensive.

 

[jamesbond007]

A friend of mine wrote an application for a linux server he operates. At one LAN party, we had 8 cablemodems load-balanced. WOW, it was so crazy to experience that. The back of the case was lined with NICs...single and dual-port.

Yes, it's doable for a cheap price.

 

[JackMDS]

For some type of Work you need a Special Truck, otherwise you might use a regular car.

For some Network arrangement you need Real Server otherwise you use WinXP.

Well I guess it is Truck time for you.

However before you buy a Truck: Combining two Internet Connections - Combining Bandwidth, or and Load Balancing of two Internet connections.

:sun:

 

[DainBrammage]

Any simple way to combine two internet connections

Duct Tape. works like a charm

 

[sjgmoney]

Don't forget the WD-40, liquid gold.