Loadshedding killing my remote job. Need advice.

[Zulash]

Hi guys,

Title says it all. I am back in SA after spending 5 years working in the US. I moved back and retained my overseas position as a remote employee (programmer) but this loadshedding is destroying my ability to maintain a consistent presence at work. Management is understandably getting frustrated and would like a solution to my network issues as soon as possible. The sensitive nature of my position requires me to connect to a secure VPN (edit* after connecting to a proxy) in order to access our network. This proxy ultimately times out if my network speeds are below 7mbps (its awful).

My laptop can last a good 3 - 4 hours which means computer power is no issue, however; my Telkom router will go offline when the power goes out leaving me without access to the internet (and therefore work) for roughly 2 hours a day. I am currently on a 10mbps uncapped telkom ADSL line and paying roughly R1200 a month for it.

I am hoping someone can help me find a solution. I need at least 7mbps uncapped that can persist through loadshedding. I am willing to pay whatever I have to in order to maintain this position. Any thoughts and ideas would really help me get an idea of where to start. Thanks for your time!

 

[Frikkenator]

A small UPS will easily power a router for a couple of hours, alternatively get a WISP to connect you to a tower outside of your grid, again a UPS will keep the antenna and router powered for quite a while.

 

[UtianG]

I use my Galaxy Tab S as my backup Wi-Fi hotspot when Eskom load shedding kicks in.

Signed up for 10GB+10B deal (non-LTE) with Telkom Mobile about 2 years ago for R199pm (currently R299) getting speeds around the 10mbps mark. So the tablet gives me more than 10hrs backup and the network is very reliable (to me at least).

Not sure why you would need uncapped as a backup, sure it's only for during load shedding?

Anyway, that's my backup setup.

Hope this helps.

Cheers

 

[Sonic2k]

I put my ADSL router on a UPS.. Wise move indeed. Then when the generator is running I can put the PC on and download

 

[PostmanPot]

Small UPS for router, or larger UPS for router and laptop if you'd like to maintain the laptop's battery.

 

[HavocXphere]

Weird corporate VPN you've got there...I know both the CISCO and Juniper ones don't drop even with <1mbps.

 

[CuppaJoe]

For interest's sake, why did you come back?

If I get the opportunity, I would burn rubber out of SA within 24 hours and never look back.

That is the only true solution to what is going on here.

 

[supersunbird]

Hi guys,

Title says it all. I am back in SA after spending 5 years working in the US. I moved back and retained my overseas position as a remote employee (programmer) but this loadshedding is destroying my ability to maintain a consistent presence at work. Management is understandably getting frustrated and would like a solution to my network issues as soon as possible. The sensitive nature of my position requires me to connect to a secure VPN in order to access our network. This VPN will ultimately timeout if my network speeds are below 7mbps (its awful).

My laptop can last a good 3 - 4 hours which means computer power is no issue, however; my Telkom router will go offline when the power goes out leaving me without access to the internet (and therefore work) for roughly 2 hours a day. I am currently on a 10mbps uncapped telkom ADSL line and paying roughly R1200 a month for it.

I am hoping someone can help me find a solution. I need at least 7mbps uncapped that can persist through loadshedding. I am willing to pay whatever I have to in order to maintain this position. Any thoughts and ideas would really help me get an idea of where to start. Thanks for your time!

My ADSL/wifi router is powered by a UPS and plugs as below, and lasts over 5 hours. I was able to be online the whole 2 hours and 6 minutes of loadshedding this afternoon.

 

[supersunbird]

And alternate idea is the Telkom 10GB+10GB deal for R299 with a suitably fast USB modem. Can also serve as a backup in case your ADSL goes down for whatever reason.

I use often enough for ADSL downtime issues.

Edit: I have a 7.2Mbps modem, but you'll need something faster, like a HSPA+ 21Mbps modem, and also need to check how the TelkomMobile only network signal is in your area.

Something like the below modem:
http://store.orange.com/za/computin...3g-hspa-21mbps-usb-adapter-usb-dongle-255133/

 

[Dan C]

Unfortunately putting your router/modem on a backup battery may not help. Telkom's DSLAM in my area only lasts about 30mins. Best is to get 3g / lte backup I'm afraid.

 

[PostmanPot]

Unfortunately putting your router/modem on a backup battery may not help. Telkom's DSLAM in my area only lasts about 30mins. Best is to get 3g / lte backup I'm afraid.

For you ya, his could be different.

 

[Dan C]

For you ya, his could be different.

That's why I said 'MAY' ...

 

[ghostR]

Unfortunately putting your router/modem on a backup battery may not help. Telkom's DSLAM in my area only lasts about 30mins. Best is to get 3g / lte backup I'm afraid.

Depends what DSLAM you are on and how old the batteries are. ISAM/MSAN's last up to about 8 hours with no power from the grid.

 

[koeksGHT]

Bitco

Wireless to HS(with backup battery) and one large UPS to power internet/computer.

 

[mister]

Unfortunately putting your router/modem on a backup battery may not help. Telkom's DSLAM in my area only lasts about 30mins. Best is to get 3g / lte backup I'm afraid.

Log a fault every time it happens - they need to replace the batteries!

 

[Beachless]

Have a look at your routers power supply it might be able to run straight off a battery's 12v.
Then get a lte router as a backup and buy data as needed.
This will be minimal cost and should work fine.

 

[Priapus]

As suggested - easiest and cheapest way is just getting a UPS for the router - get a slightly bigger one to maintain laptop battery levels should the power be out longer than two hours or so.

OT: Why did you come back?

 

[gregmcc]

This VPN will ultimately timeout if my network speeds are below 7mbps (its awful).

That doesn't sound right. I've got vpn lines running on 1Mbps lines.

 

[bwana]

When I don't feel like running the generator I use an automotive battery booster and a small inverter to keep the ADSL up. I've got uncapped so I really do not have any desire to pay an additional amount for 3G.

 

[Zulash]

Thanks all for the suggestions. Don't know why I didn't think about plugging my router into a UPS. Going to order one tomorrow.

That doesn't sound right. I've got vpn lines running on 1Mbps lines.

Weird corporate VPN you've got there...I know both the CISCO and Juniper ones don't drop even with <1mbps.

You guys are right. You cant connect to the VPN without connecting to the proxy. The proxy destroys the network speeds so I guess its more the proxy's fault than the VPN. Very frustrating.