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2 ISPs, 2 routers, one network

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by tambam-tech

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Ok, just looking to see how you would best handle our situation.

We are switching to an entirely new software provider for our business.

The old system is an as/400 based system, which our office connects to via VPN.
The new system is also connected to via VPN, but is an IBM DB2.

They both require different routers. The old system has a very limited range of compatible routers, and basically we have to use the one we have now for it. It is not robust enough for the new software.

Luckily, we have two ISP's, one main and one for a backup.

Is it possible to connect the old router to one ISP and the new router to the other ISP, but have the ability to connect to each one from every desktop on our network?

Keep in mind the situation is temporary, we are only running the old system for 3 more months, then shutting it down.

What do you think?

4 replies

by michael kassner

There are many options available to accomplish this. Two rather simple ones come to mind.

1. This one depends on the number of workstations you are accommodating. If the number is reasonable, you could add routes to each specific router on each workstation.

2. If you have a significant number of workstations, it might be best to inject a router/default gateway between the two routers and the workstations. Point all the workstations to it via a DHCP change and then have the routing table on the new router/DG point the traffic to the correct upstream router.

by tambam-tech

We have 50 workstations in total. so I suppose option 2 would be the best course of action.

I apologize, I am still learning, so frankly I was unsure about what constituted "significant workstations"

I am glad it is doable. Thank you very much for your assistance.

by michael kassner

I would definitely use choice two if at all possible. A spare router is not a bad thing to have. I forgot to ask if you are using managed switches or not. That might open another possibility.

The least invasive and simplest approach would be the intermediary router as far as I can see.

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