How do I use 2 different internet providers?

[david5253]

We currently have IP that drops way too often, especially for a home business. It's based on a nearby mountain and the radio sends a signal to our dish{Rise
Broadband is the Provider}. I want to add "Starlink" service on the theory that it's unlikely that both would be out at the same time. When one goes out I would like to seamlessly switch to the other using the same router{if possible}.

What would I need to accomplish that? A switch of some type? Is there an economical way to do it automatically? Thanks in advance for your help.

 

[shade]

Easiest solution is a dual/multi wan router.

 

[petebob]

I run pfSense software on an older Dell pc and have it set up this way. Starlink is primary and it fails over to dsl when starlink goes out. Starlink has been very reliable but it does drop in heavy rain.

 

[niget2002]

Ubiquity sells routers/firewalls that support multiple WAN ports and automatic fail over.

There's other companies that do too.

 

[walta]

If you want to get into a Unifi system the “cloud gateway ultra” “USG-ultra” can be set up for 2 internet providers and switch over should the primary go down. I only wish this device could supplied 60 watts of POE.

UniFi Cloud Gateway Ultra - Tech Specs

Compact Cloud Gateway with 30+ UniFi device / 300+ client support, 1 Gbps IPS routing, and multi-WAN load balancing.

techspecs.ui.com

Note Unifi will not be the low-cost or easiest to set up option. What it will be is the most reliable and stable option once setup.



Walta

 

[dogdog]

If you are running a business and hosting any kind of servers locally, you should consider moving it to the clients or Amazon services. If you are just looking to use reliable internet connection to surf the web maybe look for a load balancing router with dual wan port instead of a fail over ? I know my asus router is sort of dual wan. It have one wan port, and supports the second wan connection via usb type devices like mobile data or alike.

Dependents on your situation of cause.

Google something like

Best Dual WAN Load Balancing Routers​

Or fail over routers but hey if you already paid for both why not used both.

 

[kbuhagiar]

Best Dual WAN Load Balancing Routers​

Or fail over routers but hey if you already paid for both why not used both.

I completely agree, and would be interested in something that could take both WAN inputs and combine them to increase total bandwidth. I've got T-mobile service right now but AT&T runs out in front and I wouldn't mind adding their 'Fiber 50' product (which is fiber only up to the distribution cabinet half a mile away), if I could use them both at the same time to bolster my service.

 

[ipgenie]

I have used some of the Peplink multi wan routers with excellent results. I just checked the one at my house, uptime is currently at 270 days since rebooting last. I run two ISP's (one is also Rise Broadband) and also have a cellular hot spot as cold standby that I unplug and take with me.

 

[wyliesdiesels]

as has been said, you need a DUAL WAN router. a switch wont work.

we use peplink routers and they work great.

 

[dogdog]

I completely agree, and would be interested in something that could take both WAN inputs and combine them to increase total bandwidth. I've got T-mobile service right now but AT&T runs out in front and I wouldn't mind adding their 'Fiber 50' product (which is fiber only up to the distribution cabinet half a mile away), if I could use them both at the same time to bolster my service.

The load balancing doesn't combine the total band width of the two wan links. It just suppose to send connection out to the least loaded port base on what ever algorithm they have... so your max speed is still dependent on which ever port it connect you to. But both port are active at the same time "supposedly". As oppose to fail over, where one is on stand by.

 

[wyliesdiesels]

If you are running a business and hosting any kind of servers locally, you should consider moving it to the clients or Amazon services. If you are just looking to use reliable internet connection to surf the web maybe look for a load balancing router with dual wan port instead of a fail over? I know my asus router is sort of dual wan. It have one wan port, and supports the second wan connection via usb type devices like mobile data or alike.


Or fail over routers but hey if you already paid for both why not used both.

load balancing will not accomplish that. if you want to combine the speed of both ISP connections then you will need a router that has aggregation capabilities. But this is more complicated than just what router you have. This is because the ISP connections must also support aggregation via the LACP-IEEE 802.3ad standard. many ISPs do not do this on broadband type connections so YMMV.... also many dual WAN routers that have load balancing and failover capabilities do not have aggregation capabilities.

also the support for aggregation and the implementation varies widely by router brand. Asus routers, as an example, only support aggregation when both WAN connections are from the same ISP AND from the same ISP modem/router. This means if you have an Asus router (that supports aggregation) it will only work with a single ISP connection that is 2gig speed. This is kinda pointless for those who want reliability and redundancy with failover which is waht this thread is about.... See asus FAQ at below link

[WAN] How to enable WAN Aggregation on ASUS router? | Official Support | ASUS Global

in my experience, most people dont need aggregation because their speeds are already fast enough. they just want a failover connections should primary go down...

I completely agree, and would be interested in something that could take both WAN inputs and combine them to increase total bandwidth. I've got T-mobile service right now but AT&T runs out in front and I wouldn't mind adding their 'Fiber 50' product (which is fiber only up to the distribution cabinet half a mile away), if I could use them both at the same time to bolster my service.

read my comment above. its more complicated than most people want to bother with.

 

[dogdog]

load balancing will not accomplish that. if you want to combine the speed of both ISP connections then you will need a router that has aggregation capabilities. But this is more complicated than just what router you have. This is because the ISP connections must also support aggregation via the LACP-IEEE 802.3ad standard. many ISPs do not do this on broadband type connections so YMMV.... also many dual WAN routers that have load balancing and failover capabilities do not have aggregation capabilities.

also the support for aggregation and the implementation varies widely by router brand. Asus routers, as an example, only support aggregation when both WAN connections are from the same ISP AND from the same ISP modem/router. This means if you have an Asus router (that supports aggregation) it will only work with a single ISP connection that is 2gig speed. This is kinda pointless for those who want reliability and redundancy with failover which is waht this thread is about.... See asus FAQ at below link

[WAN] How to enable WAN Aggregation on ASUS router? | Official Support | ASUS Global

in my experience, most people dont need aggregation because their speeds are already fast enough. they just want a failover connections should primary go down...

read my comment above. its more complicated than most people want to bother with.

Yes kinda pointless if it have to be on same ISP. and these are new features on the newer Asus routers... the AX series... this function does not exist on the RT or GT series or maybe its under a different name... but not aggregation. It does have load balance and failover/fall back... and you can select your secondary wan to be USB, LAN ports of choice. though. I don't see a note anywhere that it needs to be from same ISP ... on these two failover/load balance. Which is what OP is asking for with his local Wifi radio Link from Rise and the Star link he is thinking about getting.

 

[david5253]

Thanks to all for your help! I definitely got my questions answered. GJ is such a great resource.

 

[wyliesdiesels]

Yes kinda pointless if it have to be on same ISP. and these are new features on the newer Asus routers... the AX series... this function does not exist on the RT or GT series or maybe its under a different name... but not aggregation. It does have load balance and failover/fall back... and you can select your secondary wan to be USB, LAN ports of choice. though. I don't see a note anywhere that it needs to be from same ISP ... on these two failover/load balance. Which is what OP is asking for with his local Wifi radio Link from Rise and the Star link he is thinking about getting.

it doesnt need to be for just failover and load balance. aggregation is complicated.... its similar to bonding... both need to be compliant