jamullian
join:2005-11-06
Jamul, CA
| [HN7000S] Hybrid HN Satellite with AT&T EDGE network connection
The antennas | 
The indoor configuration |
I manage a bunch of servers in data centers and networks from an office in the boonies. I need fast response using Terminal services, reliable email, low latency telnet and web browsing.
If you're reading this post you're in the forum that knows all about the limitations of HN satellite connections. But since the only other option for me is an AT&T EDGE cellular network connection (the nearest tower being about 15 miles away behind some hills) I was aiming at getting the best of both worlds. EDGE gives me about 150 kbps down and 80-100 kbps up, with a latency of about 230 - 270 ms. Less bandwidth, but also much lower latency.
I started by playing with a separate machine, using my HTC Advantage PDA and Internet Connection Sharing to power it over EDGE. It showed me that with an indoor type signal performance varied; but https connections, terminal services access etc were much faster than over the satellite. Jumping from one to the other got old, however.
So first I set up a Top Global MB6800 router with an Option GT Max 7.2 ready card. This was kind of OK, but with a medium to poor signal, unreliable. So I direct connected a Wilson dual band amplifier and a 13 dbi Yagi 850 MHz antenna on the roof. Perfect! Solid as a rock, and with careful pointing, an excellent steady signal strength.
But how to make it seamless between the two networks for all machines on the LAN? For this I use pfSense, with one WAN port for the HN satellite, a second WAN port for the EDGE. Ports 23, 25, 53 (supporting a caching DNS server on the network), 110, 443, 3389, 8080 and a couple of others specific to my work are routed over the low latency EDGE; everything else, particularly web sites and downloads are on HN satellite. For a couple of web sites that work better that way, I even have network specific rules to route them over EDGE.
It's the best of both worlds and has radically improved the quality of my Internet access and life in the boonies.
A couple of photos attached ....
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Hybrid: HN7000S .98/2 watt Business Internet on IA6 PLUS TopGlobal MB6800 with Option GT Max 7.2 ready on AT&T EDGE network |
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vobguy
A fool with a tool is still a fool
Premium
join:2003-01-21
Mineral, VA | Re: [HN7000S] Hybrid HN Satellite with AT&T EDGE network connect
Interesting setup. Can you connect seamlessly to a corporate VPN? I guess it would probably handle that ok... |
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exocet_cm
Signal 26's Rock
Premium
join:2003-03-23
New Orleans, LA
clubs:   | reply to jamullian
What about pairing multiple EDGE and Satellite connections for more throughput? Is this possible with your setup? |
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jamullian
join:2005-11-06
Jamul, CA | I guess you could .. pfSense will support multiple interfaces. |
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Rick
Premium,MVM
join:2001-02-06
Waterbury, CT
clubs:
| reply to jamullian
Congrats on your ingenuity. Having once owned a little vacation cabin in the cali mountains (albeit in northern california instead)..I certainly can understand your wanting to live there. And, it's good to see you've come up with a good solution to be able to do that and work from home as well.
Enjoy!
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The Coyote captured the RR! Roadrunner Rick is now Comcastic! |
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