Multiple ISP's on one Server

[Stewart Nelson]

> I ran into a small problem last month in that I used over 70G of
> bandwidth. My current ISP can't really handle that, as it costs him $4
> per G of transfer.

> I really need the static IP that he provides, as well as the discount on
> my internet, but I don't want to abuse what I've got working for me.
> Rogers Cable can provide me with internet service as well with no
> transfer limit. My question is how to set up my server best to utilize
> using two ISP's.

I hope that your 70 GB is mostly download, because cable modems often
have quite slow upstream capability; 128 kbps is typical.  So, even
if you upload 24/7, you may not be able to transfer 70 GB.

I don't know how it is in Canada, but cable providers in the US almost
always have a clause in their contract that permits them to charge you
more, or terminate your service, if you use an excessive amount of
resources.  Bandwidth is not free for them, either, and a coax branch
is typically shared among 300 to 1200 homes.  Depending on how many of
them use cable Internet, your >200 kb/sec. average transfer rate may
be far more than your fair share of the 20 mb/sec. available on the
channel.

There may be a wireless ISP in your area that can do what you need.
This is, of course, also a shared facility, but you may be able to
negotiate an arrangement where you agree to do most of your transfer
during the night.

> I need my current static IP to connect to servers I support, ...

(I am assuming that this is because it's used for authentication.)
If you don't need redundant providers, and the cable will work for
you, perhaps you can get an inexpensive shell account that you
can tunnel through.

--Stewart