dividing bandwidth amongst users

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Cloudgazer

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This is a follow up to an earlier thread.
(residential development with 48 units needs 2 ADSL connections)

We just ordered 2 uncapped ADSL lines from Internet Solutions.

What we need now, is someway to to manage/divide the bandwidth evenly amongst the 48 units.
Also need to be able to suppy each unit with an IP address.
I don't know whether we do it with static IPs or DHCP

Our budget is R8000.
I've heard a bit about the Hot Brick (www.hotbrick.co.za).

We need a solution that does not require much maintenance or serious technical skills.
I'm loathe to install a box (linux or XP) cause I'm worried about hardware failure and stuff.

Any suggestions?
 
I would just go buy a Linksys wireless access / DSL router combo or similar ( something you can customize if needed )

This gives you basically the equivalent of a small Linux box, wireless connectivity if needed and ADSL connectivity. Cheaply too.

Not sure how you would load balance since you said you have two lines, but I am sure it would be possible. If you can load balance on Linux you should be able to load balance on the Linksys.

As for balancing the usage, you may be able to get away with using simple HTB type packet shaping.
 
Yes, I think something like a hotbrick unit would be the way to go.

Why do you want anything extra to manage bandwidth? It just makes things more complicated. If one user is running, he/she will get all the bandwidth. For say 10 users busy using the connection, the traffic should get split fairly evenly between them.

pookfuzz, they need to connect two ADSL lines, so a standard ADSL router will not do.
 
gkm said:
Yes, I think something like a hotbrick unit would be the way to go.

Why do you want anything extra to manage bandwidth? It just makes things more complicated. If one user is running, he/she will get all the bandwidth. For say 10 users busy using the connection, the traffic should get split fairly evenly between them.
Click to expand...

No, I don't want anything else but the Hot Brick, but what abut assigning IP addresses t oeach unit. Canthe Hot Brick do this.

With regards to PostmanPot:
This is a residential dvelopment so most surfing will be off-peak times.

According to a number of sources the IS offering is better than the UUnet one. otherwise UUnet would be my number one choice.
 
I assume you are talking about this unit:
http://www.hotbrick.com/produto.asp?tipo=2&codPro=7

I think the one without VPN should also do, but I do not see it on the .co.za site.

It supports DHCP, so will assign IP addresses to the client machines in the network, if they are set to obtain an IP address automatically.

I assume you are aware you need to get two ethernet ADSL modems (not routers) with this as well. Any single port ethernet ones should do as far as I can tell. Or at least, that is how I understand it works.
 
Last edited:
gkm said:
I assume you are talking about this unit:
http://www.hotbrick.com/produto.asp?tipo=2&codPro=7

I thing the one without VPN should also do, but I do not see it on the .co.za site.

It supports DHCP, so will assign IP addresses to the client machines in the network, if they are set to obtain an IP address automatically.

I assume you are aware you need to get two ethernet ADSL modems (not routers) with this as well. Any single port ethernet ones should do as far as I can tell. Or at least, that is how I understand it works.
Click to expand...

Huh?

The HotBrick featured here looks perfect.
In fact, it looks like the one featured on the co.za site.

Now, whats this about modems?
Wont IS or Telkom supply those?
I specifically asked IS to quote me in full, telling them I don't want any surprises or hidden costs.
How much are these modems?
 
Cloudgazer said:
Huh?

The HotBrick featured here looks perfect.
In fact, it looks like the one featured on the co.za site.
Click to expand...

Yes, I just looked at the one on the SA site and then checked the overseas site that gave more detailed specs for the unit to confirm that it has DHCP support.

Cloudgazer said:
Now, whats this about modems?
Click to expand...

I have never held one of these Hotbrick units in my hand kind of thing, but as far as I can see they have WAN ports. This means they do not connect to the internet themselves, but connect through so other unit, which can be an ADSL modem, diginet router etc. The PPPoE Support support is for it to talk to ADSL modems.

Note, I can be completely wrong here, but I doubt it, because it does not say anywhere that the HotBrick is an ADSL modem as well.

Cloudgazer said:
Wont IS or Telkom supply those?
I specifically asked IS to quote me in full, telling them I don't want any surprises or hidden costs.
How much are these modems?
Click to expand...

Telkom will give you modems if you sign a 24 month contract. I do not know about IS. I have obviously not seen the quote, so do not know if modems are included. They should be less that R500 each if you need to buy them.
 
Hey GKM, thanks for the prompt responses,
and not talking over my head...

I really appreciate it. Shot.

I'll look into the modem thing.
 
PostmanPot said:
why IS? they are crap, lol. horrible peak speeds, average off peak speeds.

go for UUNET my man!

IS use satellite, UU use SAIX backbone which is best.

see this thread:

http://mybroadband.co.za/vb/showthread.php?t=26800
Click to expand...

erm.. UUNET uses UUNET Backbone, SAIX uses SAIX backbone.. and UUNET doesnt resell uncapped adsl nemore. They stopped all orders till further notice.
 
A pleasure. Please let us know how it goes. I have always been curious on how one of those HotBrick units work in practice.
 
Clipse said:
erm.. UUNET uses UUNET Backbone, SAIX uses SAIX backbone.. and UUNET doesnt resell uncapped adsl nemore. They stopped all orders till further notice.
Click to expand...

Just one of the reasons I chose IS over UUnet. :D

I would have preferred to use UUNet, but no matter...
I just want a decent connection with the least amount of hassles.
 
i was going to post a nice big post on how i would do this, but i then realised im stupid and it prolly woudnt work. one thing though, give static ips, works better if u are not planning to be adding/removing lots of pcs all the time

2ndly : to combine the linesm and do all the bandwidth management, id use linux, it works well

anyway just my 2c
 
Arcadies said:
i was going to post a nice big post on how i would do this, but i then realised im stupid and it prolly woudnt work. one thing though, give static ips, works better if u are not planning to be adding/removing lots of pcs all the time

2ndly : to combine the linesm and do all the bandwidth management, id use linux, it works well

anyway just my 2c
Click to expand...

Some big companies use DHCP just fine to assign IP addresses to PC's. Others use static IP's. Both options are fine in my opinion. Since Windows default to "Assign IP automatically", this might however be the least hassle for Cloudgazer.

On Linux, I have a Linux server at home, so have no problems with Linux, but for people that just want to install something and forget about it for a couple of years, I think a dedicated hardware device like the HotBrick is a better option. It has no hard drives that can fail etc.
 
gkm said:
Some big companies use DHCP just fine to assign IP addresses to PC's. Others use static IP's. Both options are fine in my opinion. Since Windows default to "Assign IP automatically", this might however be the least hassle for Cloudgazer.

On Linux, I have a Linux server at home, so have no problems with Linux, but for people that just want to install something and forget about it for a couple of years, I think a dedicated hardware device like the HotBrick is a better option. It has no hard drives that can fail etc.
Click to expand...

I'm definately looking for the least hassle route.

I have no Linux skills, and even though i'd pick it up relatively quickly, its seems like a wasted effort.
I am worrried about hardwware failure, hard drives, monitors, blah blah blah.

I've called one of the suppliers of the hotbrick and can hopefully get a demo of what it is capable of.
Will let you know.
 
Personally (for a residential setup) I would got with a box installation, most likely with Server 2003 SBS, that way one could set up a proxy as well as a mail server etc, just makes more sense to me ;)
 
CloudGazer , I have a product that does exatly what you need . PM me if you are still looking for a low cost solution.
 
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