Establish LTE and LAN connections using MPTCP
Establish LTE and LAN connections using MPTCP
Hello everybody, I live most of the year in a dorm room in Austria, since the last month the internet connection became unstable, and as it student, I kinda need the internet. I was thinking about getting an unlimited LTE contract but I wanted to know if there is a "cheap" way to bond the LTE with the dorms connection together and use them like that in some sort of mptcp config. I currently have a Netgear Router. Is there any way to bond the internet connection form the dorm room together with the one form the LTE "router"? Edited April 30, 2018 by hilfel Fixing errors and more clear expression
If you're not relying on the dorm network for anything special such as shared storage, consider purchasing an LTE router instead of sticking with the dorm internet. A model like the Netgear LB2120 works well because it includes a WAN port, letting you keep your dorm connection active while switching to LTE if needed. Be aware that some providers may block LTE SIM cards in LTE routers, so they might restrict your service if they detect it.
You can distribute load by using another device as the router for each link, with various open source firewall/router tools available. Options include pfSense, VyOS, M0n0Wall, and more. You could also purchase hardware like an EdgeRouter-X to handle Multi-Wan load balancing. I've used Dual-Wan setups for years mainly to boost bandwidth and connection stability.
When playing online, steer clear of EdgeRouter-Lite due to UDP problems in older firmware that lead to packet loss. Ensure your system is updated beyond version 1.10.0+ to fix this issue. pfSense is free to use, while setting up the right hardware can be challenging. A basic x86 PC with a dual-core processor usually meets most users' needs, though the main hurdle is often the network interface drivers. If you already have an EdgeRouter, it supports dual-WAN, but I suggest placing each ISP's modem in bridge mode so the router manages NAT settings. The setup isn't overly complex, but it requires some command-line skills. I have an old EdgeRouter configuration that might be useful—check it out when you're ready.
Unfortunately, I only have x86 systems on my tower and notebooks. I can handle a few smaller ARM devices.
Instead of purchasing equipment for the task, leverage the EdgeRouter and verify its updates to avoid UDP problems that could cause issues if the firmware isn't current. The process is straightforward. pfSense offers a more user-friendly graphical interface, though many worry about command-line access; however, it remains the optimal method for accurate setup.