Backup net connection?

shockym

shockym

New member
Is this even possible? I was thinking about it today when a crazy storm came around and blew most of my work day away. We have been getting more storms this year so far than any other year and when it gets windy the net lines tend to get shaky. Anyone know if a backup net connection is possible, or worth it?
 
I don't see how it is possible. We had the voip type connection and then a dsl backup through our local phone agency which offered dial up backup when dsl is down. What ended up happening was when a storm would come we would lose ALL connections. It was pointless.
 
Are you talking about your servers connection or your connection? Wireless is a good alternative, Verizon and AT&T have 3G in a lot of places now which can usually get 1mbps+
 
devonblzx said:
Are you talking about your servers connection or your connection? Wireless is a good alternative, Verizon and AT&T have 3G in a lot of places now which can usually get 1mbps+
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This really depends on where you are some people have lots of options Cable, DSL, Satellite, Cell Phone, City provided, Ect. I would assume hes talking about home connection as connections for servers are almost always located in datacenters or building that have multiple high speed connections available.
 
My wife has an app on her x'ed iPhone that allows it to be used as a wifi hub. It violates AT&T's TOS, but it works well.

Dave
 
devonblzx said:
Are you talking about your servers connection or your connection? Wireless is a good alternative, Verizon and AT&T have 3G in a lot of places now which can usually get 1mbps+
Click to expand...
The first thing that came to mind for me was 3G, if you're talking about continuing to work after your power goes out at home.
 
Others are correct, you should have a wireless connection but the connection speed is not like the speed in your dsl line. BUt thats the good alternative for you.
 
I have multiple backups here myself - my regular cable, a dialup internet (through a different company, with a REAL land line, not cable modem), and then two cell phones with data transfer capabilities on them along with an AirCard for my notebook. If things REALLY went crazy, I have a satellite phone, but that's 9600bps - handy when finishing on the boat in the ocean a few years ago, but I rarely use it - but still a necessary business expense.


Dont' forget that the phone connection isn't the only thing that can fail. UPS Backup power supply is constantly plugged in (and tested each month), a gas generator (should someone take out an electric pole/transformer somewhere and solar power (not much help in a storm, but I run deep cycle marine bateries on them, so plenty of power avaialbe for 24-36 hours without batting an eye.

Running an internet business means NOT having a single point of failure. Just like you make backups for your websites, you should have backup systems in place should various events happen.

Maybe I go overboard with my backup protection - but when 100% of my business depends on me being online and reachable, paying the extra few hundred dollars each month is a necessary business expense.
 
Hi!
Charter has failed me only a few times..but enough for concern. I am bringing in two backup wireless connections..one will be a fancy phone with data transfer capabilities using T-Mobile's network..and a prepaid pay-as-you-go USB modem through virgin..which uses Sprint.

I'm sorry..I don't count dialup anymore..it's just too expensive and too slow.

>>Power has been out only once in the last two years..I can't say I'm too concerned with that.

Bryon
 
There isn't much point in getting a backup wired network connection, most use the same infrastructure and just a different server at the end of the line so there really isn't much redundancy.

I have 3G on my phone and that can work as a modem via USB to any PC works great for laptop and backup home connection.

You can always look at a pay as you go 3g dongle and just leave it sitting there until something goes wrong...
 
Hi!
Actually..that is simply not true. If I do decide to bring in a backup DSL connection..it is totally possible the cable could be down..and the DSL work fine.

The only thing they share are telephone poles...and I have not seen these eediot drivers completely take out one of those in years.

No..the Virgin usb modem seems like a good move..it has a high front end cost ($130) but no contract. True pay as you go..I like that. In fact..I wouldn't even need to activate it until I needed it..and even then it would stay "active" for a year...worse case scenrio..I ould walk down to CVS (15 minutes away) to put cash on it.

Bryon
 
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A few years back I had a DSL and cable connection that I ran through a dual WAN router. It was a pain to setup initially, and I only ever needed/used it once, but it worked :)
 
Hi!
I don't have a router here..I'd prefer to have them completely seperate. Seperate computers..and a server os on the pc..as usual.

I'm sorry..I have not used XP in months. :)

Bryon
 
I've been using the Vonage Voice over IP (VoIP) phone service for about 4 months and have been very happy with it. For my small-business needs, it has proved to be quite useful.
 
Can’t say I’ve been free of failures on the provider side though one thing to look into could be the use of wireless connections around you. Thankfully those who live around myself are mostly business owners in different sectors (mainly bricks businesses) and as such are highly internet dependant.

As a result of that we (5 of us) have made an agreement and setup a WAN using N-draft equipment spanning 5 providers on business packages so there is a reasonable level of redundancy, obviously using security methods though none the less there is a wide secure coverage area.

As well as the obvious power backups such as generators, just a possibility that could be explored though the 3G phones and modems are also an option and is invaluable at times considering the iPhone is always at my side :devil: (O2-UK allowing its use as a 3G Modem/VPN)
 
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