Bandwidth Load Balancing

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Bandwidth Aggregation

What is Bandwidth Aggregation?

When there is requirement for more bandwidth capacity, there are a number of Internet technologies available (e.g. Leased Line connection). One alternative solution is to combine multiple Internet connections using some form of bandwidth aggregation.

It is possible to have more than one connection between your computer and the Internet, and to combine them to accumulate bandwidth. Techniques that accomplish this task are collectively referred to as Bandwidth Aggregation.

Bandwidth aggregation is used to provide the aggregation of multiple physical ISP connections to create a virtual link that enables a LAN to utilise each connection and the total bandwidth available.

There are different techniques for aggregating the bandwidth of ISP connections, for example, Multilink, Connection Teaming or Link Bonding, Load Balancing, and Trunking.

Generally bandwidth aggregation is used to enhance Internet speed performance but can also ensure a reliable continuous connection if a single ISP connection fails as other remaining connections would still be active.

How Bandwidth Aggregation Works

Bandwidth aggregation as a concept involves combining the bandwidth of two or more Internet connections.

Implementation can be simple or complex and can include failover. Bandwidth aggregation can be done via software, a dedicated appliance, or built into a broadband router.

Types of Bandwidth Aggregation

Bandwidth aggregation solutions are usually available in the form of a "load balancing router" or other network appliance.

The concept of bandwidth aggregation is not new. Bandwidth Aggregation techniques has been available before Broadband Internet. For example 64k ISDN technology has been able to provide 128k by merging two lines into one in a process called channel bonding. Channel bonding requires equipment at both ends but we only have a single device, on the client side

A form of bandwidth aggregation commonly performed at the ISP level is often referred to as channel bundling or link bonding (e.g. DSL, Cable, Leased Lines, etc.). Link bonding uses Multilink Point-to-Point Protocol (MPPP), the same protocol used for dialup Multilink. MPPP is a non-proprietary Internet standard that is defined in RFC 1990.

It is also possible with some solutions to aggregate connections from different ISPs without the ISPs having to participate. There are also products that can aggregate wireless connections. Mobile Bandwidth Aggregation is an extension of the concept, which combines bandwidth from multiple cell phone signals, even those from different carriers and network types, to create one high-bandwidth Internet connection.

As well as solutions that can load balance outbound traffic across the available connections; there are also solutions that can do the same for inbound connections.

Connection teaming is an example of bandwidth aggregation which establishes and maintains individual sessions over multiple Internet connections. Connection teaming involves a teaming server on the local network that allocates each session to an available connection to distribute traffic across all the Internet connections.

Bandwidth Challenges

Bandwidth aggregation is usually required if there is a need for a faster Internet connection or higher bandwidth capacity. Bandwidth availability and capacity is determined by a number of variable factors such as network congestion, ISP restriction, and limitations of Internet access technology, etc.

For some Internet users, bandwidth aggregation by combining low cost connections (DSL, Cable) can be a more cost efficient solution in comparison to a private leased line connection.

As the number of users on an organisation’s network grow, there may be a requirement for additional bandwidth. Bandwidth aggregation can also be beneficial when using web-enabled applications such as VoIP and Video-conferencing which require a high and consistent flow of bandwidth to work. By combining more than one single Internet connection, users can accumulate enough bandwidth to meet their needs.

Bandwidth Aggregation benefits

Another possible benefit of bandwidth aggregation is increased reliability. As multiple connections are used, if one of them becomes unavailable, the others still continue to work.

With Bandwidth aggregation it is not necessary to have one a single connection active and the others redundant. Bandwidth Aggregation can utilise all the connections at the same time. This can enhance both download and upload speed performance.

Some bandwidth aggregation technology also allows the user to combine connections from different service providers.

Bandwidth Management

A technique that can be used in combination with Bandwidth Aggregation is Bandwidth Management (also known as QoS – Quality of Service). Bandwidth Management is the process of measuring and controlling Internet traffic on a network. The purpose of this is to avoid overloading an individual Internet connection’s bandwidth capacity, which otherwise would result in network congestion, poor speed and delayed performance. Using both techniques together can ensure more efficient use of bandwidth as traffic is distributed in a controlled manner.