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Neo321
join:2007-02-12
| Load Balancing/multihoming/bonding/3 Nics
Hi friends,
I am struck with an assignment of optimizing my lan-network's internet speed by load balancing the two ISPs we are using.
Heres the scenario with current settings ::
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1st ISP at 192.168.1.1
2nd ISP at 192.168.1.2
Half of desktops are using 1st ISP as gateway and half are using 2nd as gateway.
Problem --> If one ISP gets down then half of the desktops get disconnected.
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And now heres the assignment ::
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I would like to make a system as a server which will use 3 ethernet cards, two for connecting to two ISPs, and third for distrubuting internet to my network desktops.
This way the system ll decide itself about load balancing of the two ISPs, and if one gets down, the whole network ll be served by the other ISP.
Advantage --> Lets say only one system is running in network, then it should get the speed of both the ISPs, i.e., almost double.
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I know there are hardware options for this like Nexland Pro800, or similar product from D-Link.
But I am not supposed to purchase any hardware, I have to use software based techniques like load balancing, multihoming, multilink, and all.
This is called 'Etherchannel' by Cisco, 'Trunking' by Sun, and 'Bonding' in Linux.
I can shift to any linux distros or in worst case can also shift to win provided it gives gud results(although I know windows wont be able to do that .. wink.gif )
So far I have tried fedora, suse, ubuntu, knoppix, so distro is not a problem for me, so please recommend me every possible wayout... smile.gif
Please let me know if anyone has tried something like this.
Thanks in advance.
Regards
Rohit | |
cdru
Go Colts
Premium,MVM
join:2003-05-14
Fort Wayne, IN
| said by Neo321  : I have to use software based techniques like load balancing, multihoming, multilink, and all. This is called 'Etherchannel' by Cisco, 'Trunking' by Sun, and 'Bonding' in Linux. Part of your problem is that you are mixing terminology for what you are wanting to do. Trunking, bonding, and etherchannel are load balancing technologies, but not for what you are wanting to do. With these, they are used from between a server or computer and a switch, or between switches. They take a single 100mbit line and make it appear as if it was a 200mbit (or higher). This however won't help you route/balance a ISP connection.
What you need is some type of a dual WAN router. Obviously a dedicated router will be best. It's the simplest route and they aren't too difficult. Presuming this is for a company, I would really suggest trying to convince management to pay the extra for a simple appliance to do it rather then a PC running linux. A PC has too many points of failure, is slower to come back up after a power failure, etc.
But presuming you do need to stick with a PC based setup, check out the Linux Advanced Routing How To. Most of the help in this forum will be more with dedicated hardware, so you might also check out the Unix forum here as well.
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Go Colts | |
Zaber
When all are gone, there shall be none
join:2000-06-08
Cleveland, OH
clubs:
 ·Expedient
·XO COMMUNICATIONS
·AT&T Midwest
| reply to Neo321
Wow sounds like a fun project, I have a similar one if I ever et around to it. Given what you have said I would assume that you do not have your own IP block, and will use the ISPs. Bonding will not work here, what you are describing is more advanced routing (OSPF etc). It will not give you double the speed on things like file downloads, but will allow you to gain a speed on multiple connections. Look at the advanced routing how to. »lartc.org/ seems to be a good source for information.
Enjoy
I would be curious to see how this turns out
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Give a man a fish and he eats for a day, teach a man to fish and he will feed himself for a lifetime | |
Neo321
join:2007-02-12
| reply to cdru
Hi,
WEll I have mentioned that I dont want a hardware solution like "Nexland Pro800", a dual wan router.
Basically, a dual wan router would take up only two input lines, but we want a generalized system.
Heres something about final target of my system ::
1. Multiple USB Lan cards connected to system for all input DSL lines.
2. One ethernet card for serving whole of my network.
Advantage --> We can add any number of DSL lines to our server.
More Idea --> I just checked how to make SUSE as a DSL router using two ethernet cards at »www.novell.com/coolsolutions/fea···579.html, so the other part of merging input lan cards is left.
Can anyone help ??? | |
DaSneaky1D
one wall to block them all
Premium,MVM
join:2001-03-29
The Lou | Try »www.pfsense.com
You can use any number of interfaces for load-balancing and fail over.
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:: my trivial ramblings :: | |
Leathal
Premium
join:2002-02-09
Toronto, ON
| reply to Neo321
When using Dual WAN and LB you must keep in mind if any of the users are access the companies bank account they may not be able to with LB enabled on your network as most banks do not allow traffic from the same user to come across on two different IP addresses.
LEathal | |
cdru
Go Colts
Premium,MVM
join:2003-05-14
Fort Wayne, IN
| reply to Neo321
said by Neo321 :Can anyone help ??? It's not that we don't want to help you, but it seems that you are looking for us to do your job. What you want to do is not trivial. Adding in that you want to do it with USB network cards makes it even more complex.
Read the LARTC how to that was linked two twice. If you have specific questions, feel free to ask. But don't just ask for help without saying what you need help with.
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DaMaGeINC
The Lan Man
Premium
join:2002-06-08
Greenville, SC
clubs:
 ·Charter Pipeline
·AT&T Southeast
| reply to Neo321
You said USB, that really discredits this topic. USB and networking should never be mixed. Ewww. As others have said, this is not easy AT ALL. You will need ALOT of knowledge in Linux and advanced routing protocols. A simple dual wan router is the easiest and cheapest way to go.
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Have a Networking problem or question? Stop by the Networking Forum and let us help you. | |
Neo321
join:2007-02-12
| To DaSneaky1D ::
I didnt got your point, please explain it???
To Leathal ::
I am developing all this as per my usage and needs, I understand that your point of online banking is gud one but its not a requirement for me.
So, I want the system and know all its limitations...
To cdru ::
I am sorry if my words sounded harsh to you.
Actually I wrote like that because it seems a bit impossible, but I have to implement it at any cost.
To DaMaGeINC ::
Dont worry about USB lan cards, they simply act as a normal lan card after putting up the driver.
Even Suse 10.2 also have inbuilt drivers for usb cards, so its not a problem.
I am just using usb lan cards instead of ordinary lan card coz of limitation of ports on computer.
So, USB lan card isnt an issue, dont care about it, just consider it as an normal lan card.
To All ::
You might think that a pc wont support coz of power failure and system resources, so let me tell you one thing that after implementing all this, I ll start my linux system in shell mode(without any graphics), and in shell mode, even a PIII can serve whole of my network without any problem.
I am already using my system as a server for my whole network, but this time I want to merge all my input lines.
So guys, there are no limitation for my target, just think abt it , and make it possible....
Thanks ...
Rohit | |
cdru
Go Colts
Premium,MVM
join:2003-05-14
Fort Wayne, IN
| said by Neo321 :To cdru :: I am sorry if my words sounded harsh to you. Actually I wrote like that because it seems a bit impossible, but I have to implement it at any cost. So you have to implement it at any cost, but you aren't allowed to buy hardware. Aren't those two mutually exclusive of each other?
To DaMaGeINC ::
Dont worry about USB lan cards, they simply act as a normal lan card after putting up the driver.
Even Suse 10.2 also have inbuilt drivers for usb cards, so its not a problem.
I am just using usb lan cards instead of ordinary lan card coz of limitation of ports on computer.
So, USB lan card isnt an issue, dont care about it, just consider it as an normal lan card. We know what USB LAN cards are and that they can work, you just won't ever find a competent network administrator that would even suggest using a USB network card for production equipment in a business setting, let alone actually use one. A $5 generic PCI NIC is so much better then even the best USB NIC.
To All ::
You might think that a pc wont support coz of power failure and system resources, so let me tell you one thing that after implementing all this, I ll start my linux system in shell mode(without any graphics), and in shell mode, even a PIII can serve whole of my network without any problem.
I am already using my system as a server for my whole network, but this time I want to merge all my input lines. We never doubted that a PC couldn't do the task. Many places do have a PC serving as a router. There just creates many more points of failures when you use a PC. It's even worse when you want to start using USB NICs. It also would be highly recommended NOT to use a production server also as your load balancer/router and firewall. Too many eggs in one basket.
So guys, there are no limitation for my target, just think abt it , and make it possible.... No, we can help you make it possible, but we won't make it possible for you. What specific question do you have?
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DaSneaky1D
one wall to block them all
Premium,MVM
join:2001-03-29
The Lou
·Charter Pipeline
2 edits | reply to Neo321
said by Neo321 :To All :: You might think that a pc wont support coz of power failure and system resources, so let me tell you one thing that after implementing all this, I ll start my linux system in shell mode(without any graphics), and in shell mode, even a PIII can serve whole of my network without any problem. I am already using my system as a server for my whole network, but this time I want to merge all my input lines. So guys, there are no limitation for my target, just think abt it , and make it possible.... OK, it's still fairly early, so I may have taken the bolded text out of context, but you're reaaaally out of line. You don't come here and make demands. Period.
Second, members here are offering perfectly sound suggestions. It seems, though, that you haven't explained what you're trying to do in a clear manner.
Are you trying to use your server also as a firewall? If so, bad idea. Yeah, several Linux-based firewalls allow this, but a firewall is for network protection, not doing the dishes too. Let it serve it's dedicated purpose.
Are you trying have one server use multiple ISP's as fail over and load balancing all by itself?
I suggested PFsense because you can do load-balancing and failover with it. It will need to be used on a dedicated computer, but you can either add multiple NIC's to it to connect to different ISP's, or using a managed switch with VLAN capability, you can use 2 NICs, with one interface being the LAN and VLAN interfaces all facing the WAN.
With all the info give, now YOU can make it possible.
EDIT - I meant PFsense.
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:: my trivial ramblings :: | |
Neo321
join:2007-02-12
| To cdru ::
Yes, I have to implement it at any cost... hardware isnt a solution as I have seen only quad-wan supporting router.
So a software based solution is the right choice, as it ll support any number of ISPs.
To DaSneaky1D ::
Maybe I havnt explained it properly, coz I am a bit confused with terms like bonding, multihoming, etc... and all.
basically, in one line what I want is,
A computer which can act as a multi-wan router
I have found some software for this like pfsense, and clarkconnect.
I ll also take a look at ipsense too.
Thanks... | |
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