Solid Internet Access
I usually recommend against dual DSL connections because both depend on your phone line. To avoid compromising the fault-tolerance of two separate, unrelated broadband providers, choose cable, power line, or satellite as your other provider. Also, make sure your router provides automatic switchover and includes the advanced features you need. Not all dual routers provide auto-failover DNS serving capabilities or VPN functionality.
Having rock-solid Internet access for the cost of an additional broadband account is well worth the extra $45 a month, especially because the access requires no intervention. When I travel, it's good to know that I can remotely access my network even if one Internet connection goes down. If you're interested in dual-router Internet connectivity, make sure you do your homework, then work through the setup process and enjoy the results! (And keep an eye out for upcoming articles that provide more elegant solutions for SMBs.)
Solution Snapshot
PROBLEM: SMBs often have trouble keeping up with large competitors who can afford enterprise Internet services.
SOLUTION: Use a dual router and two Internet providers to enable rock-solid Internet access.
WHAT YOU NEED: A dual-WAN router; two ISP connections
DIFFICULTY: 3.5 out of 5
SOLUTION STEPS:
- Choose two unrelated broadband providers
- Select a dual-WAN router
- Install and test your dual-WAN router
- Update internal DHCP and DNS settings as necessary
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