Seeking guidance on the right hardware for a failover 4G LTE connection.
Seeking guidance on the right hardware for a failover 4G LTE connection.
Hey, I understand your situation. You're based in the Midwest and currently use a local WISP connection that offers decent speeds but has been unstable lately. You're considering upgrading with an LTE plan from AT&T, aiming for a more reliable and faster connection, especially for online gaming. You're looking for advice on what to choose, including experience with LTE providers, suitable equipment, and how to integrate it with your existing setup. You mentioned you already have a Nighthawk XR500 router for Wi-Fi and are open to exploring options that fit your budget and data needs.
I can't cover everything, but you'll need a router with two WAN ports that support Load Balancing or Failover. Keep in mind many LTE connections use NAT64-CGN. If you play games, you won't be able to host servers (Port Forwarding isn't available). Changing ISP connections when one fails may cause brief packet loss. Your public IP could switch during failover, which might interrupt gameplay. It won't be a smooth handoff.
Windows7ge is accurate. I’d set up a PFSense box as the router with two WAN ports, a switch, and a Peplink LTE router. I’d configure it so specific devices connect via certain connections or all use the same depending on location. For instance, you could route WISP traffic for Netflix, YouTube, Twitch, etc., and use LTE for gaming. A Peplink router with Wi-Fi and switch support could manage the traffic, or you might link WISP directly to the Peplink for routing decisions. I’m not sure if that’s feasible, but it could work.
Thank you for the feedback. I purchased the Pepwave LTE router because it has consistently received positive reviews. After setting it up, I plan to buy a prebuilt firewall device from Amazon, as they seem tailored for this use. I’ll keep you updated on how it functions!