Topic: High bandwidth dial-up

[john]

Help guys!
Can anyone tell me if it is possible [and if so precisely how to go about it] to have an SME 5.1.2 [or 5.5] using dialup internet access to use 2 separate simultaneous [or nearly so] ISP dial-ups? I am limited to dial-up only [no DSL or economical cable access] and need the bandwidth that 2 lines with a combined bandwidth of 80-100K would give me. I will also need to set static, dedicated IP addresses for remote access and port forwarding thru the Mitel box, into IP based security cameras. Is it possible to do using 2 separate modems, 2 separate static IP addresses, and combine the bandwidth somehow?

[David]

I was looking for something like this a while back. Pre affordable DSL. there is a windows package called FatPipe which achieves this. I could never find an easy to implement Linux program.

[john]

Thanks! Yes, I've heard of it, but I need someway for SME to achieve this. Need all the reliability, stability, etc.

[Nathan Fowler]

The technical term for what you are trying to do is called PPP-Multilink.

You can look here for more details:
http://linux-mp.terz.de/

This modification requires kernel patching, if you are unfamilar on how to compile a kernel there are several How-to's on this subject (linux.org).  Note you will also need the developer libraries such as egcs, make, etc.  These are provided by E-Smith under the developers section I believe.

If you're a linux Newbie this will be a difficult modification for you, as it does require some knowledge about Linux PPP, Kernel Patching, etc.

Good luck, take detailed notes along the way, I'm sure someone would like such a feature, and a HowTo would be nice.

If I didn't have a broadband access I would do this for you and create a HowTo.

Nathan

[john]

Thanks Nathan!!
The term PPP-Multilink is familiar to me; I knew I had come across the application somewhere, just could'nt remember. Anyway, while I would love to attempt the patching, Howto, etc., I just don't have the time [or probably the knowledge - I could probably learn] and having only a moderate knowledge of linux/SME, I will have to look for a less involved solution. And your right, there are a lot of folks who could use this - a lot of us [most of middle America] can't get DSL, or we're just too far from the C.O. to make it work reliably; dual dial-up would have a large following! Final point of info - I've discovered how to do it with Win2k, Internet Connection sharing and software, but SME is'nt there yet.

Thanks again

John

[Tom Keiser]

It's not such a big deal at all. Multitech (among others) have a multilink modem box called a proxy server. They have at least two separate models: one with 3 built-in modems, and the other with connections for up to 3 external modems.

Simply connect the proxy to the server or to the network. When a request for an external IP address is received, it will dial automatically and make as many as 3 connections. These connections can be configured to bond the bandwidth for fast downloads, or to work separately. It's not a perfect solution if you pay for individual calls, but it's cheap and effective if you have a flat-rate phone arrangement.

See: http://www.multitech.com/PRODUCTS/ProxyServer/

You will need an ISP that can provide bonded multi-channel service -- not all do that.

Tom

john wrote:
>
> Thanks Nathan!!
> The term PPP-Multilink is familiar to me; I knew I had come
> across the application somewhere, just could'nt remember.
> Anyway, while I would love to attempt the patching, Howto,
> etc., I just don't have the time [or probably the knowledge -
> I could probably learn] and having only a moderate knowledge
> of linux/SME, I will have to look for a less involved
> solution. And your right, there are a lot of folks who could
> use this - a lot of us [most of middle America] can't get
> DSL, or we're just too far from the C.O. to make it work
> reliably; dual dial-up would have a large following! Final
> point of info - I've discovered how to do it with Win2k,
> Internet Connection sharing and software, but SME is'nt there
> yet.
>
> Thanks again
>
> John

[Rick Kelly]

PPP Multilink can also achieved with ibod.

I just installed SME 5.5 and found the following on it:
/etc/isdn/ibod.cf
/usr/share/man/man4/ibod.cf.4.gz
/usr/share/man/man1/ibod.1.gz
/usr/sbin/ibod

So I guess, if you use ISDN, ibod would do the trick. If configured properly and  when the daemon is started at system boot.

[Nathan Fowler]

John, I've done some more research on this and believe all you have to do to get multilink working is to pass the multilink option when invoking PPPD.  Have you got multi-link working?  If not, I would like to get with you and perhaps create a how-to.

I've recently moved, and the only fast-access option I have is multilinking 56K dial-up.

Nathan

[blinky]

Nathan, if you still want to try this out let me know please - I  have the hardware and desire. We also are considering moving to a non-cable (dark-evil) place and will need a solution too!

I have been using Win2k / XP PPP-Multi for testing but it's crap, apart from the ability to dial-in another modem after you have the connection if you need more bandwidth.

Now that they have E-Smith 6.0 beta2 working with Dual AMD chips I am keen to play with it again.

-blinky

[Nathan Fowler]

I've since moved over to DirecWay Satellite, and love it.  Once you get past the high latency all is well, and I have zero complaints.  Weather is a non-issue in my case.  I'm still more than willing to look at ppp multilink however.  Just kick me off an email and we'll work something out.

[Miguel]

Is your direcway modem usb? and if so how did you get it to work with sme?  I tried once and gave up mainly because i'm new to linux.Nathan Fowler wrote:
>
> I've since moved over to DirecWay Satellite, and love it.
> Once you get past the high latency all is well, and I have
> zero complaints.  Weather is a non-issue in my case.  I'm
> still more than willing to look at ppp multilink however.
> Just kick me off an email and we'll work something out.