Can you use 2 different network connections?

rcrecelius · Feb 15, 2005

This is an unusual problem so bear with me as I try to explain it as best as I can.
We are an automotive warehouse (host)with 10 retail locations all connected to the same database...which is a Unix Based computer. The remote locations are connected via a 56k frame relay connection and use FDT's (vt220) to access the DB. The remote sites have a router and a terminal server for the devices. The host side also has a router that is tied in with the network here.
Most everyone at the host site uses a PC with terminal emulation software to access the DB.

I hooked up a new PC to the router at one of the remote sites
so they could use the Terminal emulation software and also have "always on" access to the internet thru the frame connection but when browsing ther internet or sending/receiving email, it hogs the bandwidth and prevents the other terminals from working. We were warned that this would happen but hey, we're stubborn and had to see it for ourselves!

So what I need to do is this...
keep the existing connection w/static IP for using the terminal emulation program and have another High speed internet connection for browsing and email.
Is this possible?

Mich · Feb 15, 2005

If they have to route through the main office then there's nothing you can do besides get a faster connection from main office to the remote site.

-If it ain't broke, break it and make it better.

mattjurado · Feb 15, 2005

For web browsing you could setup a proxy server at each site, and point browsers to it. Of course, this means you'll need to build a few proxy boxes, but you could use Linux, which is a cheap alternative.

My question is, why not dump the frame relay, and just use the dsl line? Your clients terminal emulation software can point direct to the wan ip of the host site's router, and then port forward the port you are using (probably telnet).

Of course, don't just jump into this, you'll want at least a week or two's worth of testing before you make the change permanent.

Matt J.

Please always take the time to backup any and all data before performing any actions suggested for ANY problem, regardless of how minor a change it might seem. Also test the backup to make sure it is intact.

rcrecelius · Feb 15, 2005

I appreciate the input guys.
The reason I cant dump the frame is that a specific IP is needed...the DB is a very proprietery system. Things like which printer the invoices print on is assigned by IP address.
They (Activant - DB Provider) have it locked down where you cant do hardly anything without buying something else from them, either licenses, hardware or something.

When we decided to go with frame for connectivity (previously muxes and phone lines that were costing us a fortune) our phone company would have provided us with Cisco routers with the ability to proiritize but Activant said "We provide/support Netopia routers...if you use something else it is YOUR problem when it doesnt work!

mattjurado · Feb 15, 2005

Then you're really down to local systems providing services, such as proxy, e-mail, etc... I suppose you could use proxy for web browsing, and have either that system, or a different system, run a program to fetch mail for multiple users at scheduled intervals, and then your desktop mail clients fetch mail from that computer (of course, this would likely be your smtp as well). Kind of like windows sbs pop3 connector, if you are familiar with that. There are several linux products which I believe do this, if you are seriously interested about going down this road, and of course squid is the most popular linux proxy product, I would start here...

http://www.yolinux.com/TUTORIALS/LinuxTutorialMailRetrieval.html

Matt J.

Please always take the time to backup any and all data before performing any actions suggested for ANY problem, regardless of how minor a change it might seem. Also test the backup to make sure it is intact.

rcrecelius · Feb 16, 2005

Well crap, this is gonna get over my head pretty quick...Im gonna call a local tech for some help on this.
I appreciate the input.

bcastner · Feb 16, 2005

You could add a multi-provider router and use static route assignments. Try this question in forum581

rcrecelius · Feb 16, 2005

Thanks bcastner, I have posted in the other forum.

When you say a multi-provider router, does that mean it will take more than 1 "connection" and you can route them accordingly? If so, that might be worth a try.

bcastner · Feb 16, 2005

. There are several makers of routers that support two broadband connections. Usually this is for failover protection, but there are exceptions.

. There are routers capable of establishing VLANs and static VLAN mappings, that could help;

. There are always static route assignments that can be configured by IP range;

. There are Layer III switching possibilities here;

Let the folks who eat this stuff for breakfast give you some ideas in forum581. If these were full Windows clients I would have a different approach than what would be needed for thin clients or terminals in your case.

Best wishes,
Bill Castner

shannanl · Feb 16, 2005

We had a 1/4 T-1 frame relay and we dumped it for a 4MB Cable connection and have been perfectly happy in addition to saving a boat load of money.

Shannan

bcastner · Feb 16, 2005

shannanl,
I do not think this is an option, as the problem was described by the original poster.

There is a lot of proprietary things going on.

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Can you use 2 different network connections?

rcrecelius

Technical User

Mich

IS-IT--Management

mattjurado

MIS

rcrecelius

Technical User

mattjurado

MIS

rcrecelius

Technical User

bcastner

IS-IT--Management

rcrecelius

Technical User

bcastner

IS-IT--Management

shannanl

IS-IT--Management

bcastner

IS-IT--Management

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