• Categories
  • Recent
  • Tags
  • Popular
  • Users
  • Search
  • Register
  • Login
Netgate Discussion Forum
  • Categories
  • Recent
  • Tags
  • Popular
  • Users
  • Search
  • Register
  • Login

Backup Internet Connection from an alternate ISP

Scheduled Pinned Locked Moved General pfSense Questions
4 Posts 3 Posters 811 Views
Loading More Posts
  • Oldest to Newest
  • Newest to Oldest
  • Most Votes
Reply
  • Reply as topic
Log in to reply
This topic has been deleted. Only users with topic management privileges can see it.
  • P
    pantar_dub
    last edited by Sep 11, 2014, 1:05 PM

    Hello world.
    So :
    1x Internet connection from fibre company A.
    1x Internet connection from 3g company B.

    I want B to act as a backup connection to A.
    Major preference to the pfSense box to automatically switch between A and B as is needed.

    Does what I am talking about exsist?
    Can a pfSense box acheive this?

    Any light anyone could shed on my question would be greatly appreciated.

    humbly,
    gerry

    1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
    • D
      Derelict LAYER 8 Netgate
      last edited by Sep 11, 2014, 3:30 PM

      The forum you want here is called "Routing and Multi WAN"

      In a nutshell you get both WAN links up.  Create a group in System->Routing->Groups, then tell your firewall rules to use the group as the gateway instead of default/*.

      https://doc.pfsense.org/index.php/Multi-WAN_2.0

      Chattanooga, Tennessee, USA
      A comprehensive network diagram is worth 10,000 words and 15 conference calls.
      DO NOT set a source address/port in a port forward or firewall rule unless you KNOW you need it!
      Do Not Chat For Help! NO_WAN_EGRESS(TM)

      1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
      • S
        stephenw10 Netgate Administrator
        last edited by Sep 12, 2014, 3:50 PM

        Indeed. 'Failover', which is what you're describing, is very possible within pfSense.
        One issue you might have is that pfSense pings (at 1s intervals) the gateway IP on each WAN. That's fine for a normal WAN but on a 3g connection it means you continually connected which can be expensive depending on how your ISP bills you. The actual data rate is very low.
        You will also probably have to tune the variables for a 3g connection as the ping times and packet loss are often outside the acceptable limits for a wired connection.

        Steve

        1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
        • P
          pantar_dub
          last edited by Sep 17, 2014, 1:19 PM

          a good deal of thanks to both of you.
          they direction you pointed me in, got me exactly the answers and information i am looking for.
          colour me impressed!
          regards
          gerry

          1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
          4 out of 4
          • First post
            4/4
            Last post
          Copyright 2025 Rubicon Communications LLC (Netgate). All rights reserved.
            This community forum collects and processes your personal information.
            consent.not_received