As a Dedicated Access customer, you are most likely using
a single dedicated connection to the Internet, an approach
called single homing. However, using an
approach called multi-homing, you can use two dedicated connections
— both from cyberMIND, or one from cyberMIND and the
other from another ISP.
This approach offers two potential advantages:
- Redundancy * - If one connection fails, the other
will carry your Internet traffic.
- Load Balancing - You can split your Internet
traffic between your dedicated Internet connections, thus
reducing any congestion caused by your Internet users.
Multi-homing does have a down side, however. For one, it
costs more — the cost
associated with the multiple connections, as well as potentially
multiple CPE. For another, added configuration requirements
make it more difficult to manage.
Single vs. multi-homing: Which approach is best for you?
During the process of establishing your service, cyberMIND
works with you to determine whether single or multi-homing
is appropriate for your specific requirements. The topic is
addressed here so that you are familiar with the concept,
and understand both the pros and cons of single vs. multi-homing.
For example, you may decide you cannot justify the extra
cost of multi-homing, in which case cyberMIND can work with
you to configure your service as single-homing. Conversely,
if you decide that you require the redundancy or load-balancing
benefits of multi-homing, cyberMIND will work with you to
make the necessary changes.
Using two connections to cyberMIND’s Internet Network
We just described how you can use two dedicated connections
to the Internet-either both from cyberMIND or from cyberMIND
and another ISP. If both connections are from cyberMIND, the
dual-connect arrangement can take two forms:
Two connections to a single cyberMIND Internet Access router.
This option provides circuit redundancy from the LEC. If one
circuit fails, the other backs it up.
Two connections to separate cyberMIND Internet Access routers.
The routers can be located in the same equipment room or in
different cities. This option provides circuit redundancy,
but also provides cyberMIND Internet node redundancy, since
each router is connected to a different Internet node.
Redundancy levels compared
The following chart compares the various multi-homing approaches
just described with respect to the level of redundancy they
afford.
|
Configuration
|
Circuit Redundancy
|
Node Redundancy
|
Network Redundancy
|
|
One router, two connections to same Internet node
|
Yes
|
No
|
No
|
|
One router, two connections to different Internet nodes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
No
|
|
Two routers, two connections to different ISPs
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
* The redundancy built into the Sprint network makes this
a marginal benefit of multihoming. cyberMIND network reliability
is already above 99%.
|
