[using multiple analog modems to increase bandwidth]
alan, there is an interesting option to increase your connection bandwidth: you can use 2 or more modems to bundle the data traffic. It is based on a standard called 'Multilink Protocol'.
What you need is,
1. one or more additional modems and additional telephone lines, one for each modem
2. a software which supports the multilink protocol (e.g win98)
3. an internet provider with multilink protocol support
Point 1:
You can use standard modems in your multilink setup, no special hardware required. Each modem is connected to its own telephone line and -on the computerside - you must have one com-port available for each modem.
So , everything in your hardware setup is standad: the modems, the telephone lines, your computer.
Point 2:
The multilink protocol which is knwon as 'MP' or 'Multilink PPP' is supported by Windows 98 (its part of the Dial-up Networking tool).
In Win 95 its availabe as well, but depends on the version. If you dont have it, you can dowload the Dial-Up Networking 1.2 Upgrade from Microsoft. As far as i know it is supported in NT 4.0 as well.
You can read more about this in the following Knowledge Base Article Q145987 (it has an emphasis on ISDN tho):
support.microsoft.com
Point 3:
You have to ask your service provider if he supports the multilink protocol. This could be a problem if you are using analog modems. Most providers have this feature enabled only for ISDN. But it works for analog connections as well.
If you want to know more about the multilink protocol, there is a RFC document available (its highly technical):
RFC 1717: The PPP Multilink Protocol (MP)
reality.sgi.com
As far as i know, M PPP suport is standard in the new router equipment generation. So, it may even work by default. If you already have more than one telephone line and additional modems you can just try it out. Basically there is no special setup on the provider side needed. It seems that some provider dont even know what a multilink protocol is.
Everything you've read so far may sound a bit complicated and you may wonder if you are able to setup everything properly. Well, if you can setup a dial-up connection to your local ISP then you can manage a multiple link setup as well. Basically its that easy (or complicated).
You may want to search the net to find more about this topic. I suggest to use dejanews.com, where you can find more about other ppls experience especially with multiple analog modem setup.
Personally, i dont use this kind technology (tho i have tried it out once for my ISDN connection). Its just too expensive here in germany (thanks to the high price policy of the 'deutsche telekom', the biggest innovation blocker on earth).
hope this helps |
