Network redundancy between 2 or more sites.

[UnknownEntity]

Hi all,

I plan to setup another broadband link between 2 sites for redundancy purposes in case one WAN link goes down, the server boxes can recognise one link down and re-route traffic through an alternative WAN link.

Both sites have 2 routers and 2 windows 2003 servers. I am aware that on the NIC cards you can configure alternate gateways on the advanced panel in TCP/IP properties. But is this the proper way this operation should be carried out?

Any help is greatly appreciated. Thanks.

UE.

 

[JediBMC]

Actually, the proper way of doing this is to have one router that manages the connections. The router would then be able to determine that one link was down and automatically route the traffic across the alternate link. Trying to do this on the WinXX box is asking for trouble, as link detection/least cost routing is not their core competency.

-Brian-
Semper Paratus

 

[LawnBoy]

Brian is right. The only effective way to do this is with the routers.

If you're fortunate enough to be using private WAN links (not routed over the iNet) you could use a couple of switches capable of LACP. This would be a very rare situation.