Seeking suggestions for hardware suited to a dual ISP setup.
Seeking suggestions for hardware suited to a dual ISP setup.
Hello everyone, I'm working on refreshing the networking setup in my fraternity residence this summer. My goal is to upgrade the hardware in our networking closet to handle two gigabit WAN connections, ensuring a total bandwidth of 2gbps. The space usually accommodates around 40 individuals, so the main focus is delivering sufficient speed and stability for everyone. It's acceptable if individual devices only support up to 1Gbps. All the required cabling is already installed, and I'm comfortable with configuring access points and assigning static IPs for the modem and ONT we have. I'm looking for guidance on selecting a 2.5gb router and managed switches that fit the budget. The router must also handle load balancing and failover to maintain connectivity during outages, especially since many of us will continue online courses this semester. This is my first post here, and the project is complex, but I appreciate Linus's enthusiasm about our community. In short: need a 2.5gb dual WAN router with load balancing and failover (no Wi-Fi required, we'll use a mesh network), 2.5gb switches for at least 48 cat 5 cables, and a POE switch to support multiple access points—preferably with full network bandwidth. Thanks for your assistance!
It doesn't really work that way. Combining two internet connections to reach 2 Gbps without ISP equipment isn't straightforward. Load balancing just distributes the traffic between the links, so no single device gets more than 1 Gbps. Fail over is clear—speed isn't guaranteed unless you pay for a faster plan. Your ISP might offer 2 Gbps Fiber if your home qualifies and you're ready to commit.
I understand you mean the full 2Gbps can be used simultaneously by several users. This network is designed for around 40 participants, with occasional capacity for up to 100. I don’t see any issue limiting anyone to just 1Gbps. Still, I’ll make the post clearer as requested.
Consider PFsense options. Either construct your own router or purchase an Appliance from Netgate directly. Ensure it supports the bandwidth for dual 1 Gbps connections.
Consensus reached. PFsense meets your needs, though getting comfortable with networking ideas or firewalls might take some time. You’ll need a device supporting at least 4 gigabit ports—one for each ISP, plus two for a port-channel to your LACP-capable managed switch—plus sufficient processing power to handle at least 2Gbps internally. Each link will stay under 1Gbps, but several devices can share the load across these connections.