We are currently runnning 58 customers (avg 3Mbs) on a single 6Mbs down and 758Kbs up DSL and using a dedicated T-1 for a back up (automatic failover). We tried load balancing but it negativelly impacted my gammers. I have run to the end of my reliable capacity. I have to grow. I have 2 options. I can buy another business DSL line for 100 bucks a month (6Mbs down x 758Kbs up) or I can get a 4 T-1 package for 1300. I feel that the T-1 package would provide me additional reliability and take me out of my current gray area (reselling the DSL line). But, I dont know if buying a dedicated T-1 would provide any actual additional increases in performance. Is 6Mbs DSL the same as 6Mbs T-1 when it comes to servicing my customers? I can only see the advantage been the increase in upload speed, and increase in reliability. But is it realy worth the extra cost? Or should I just get 3 more DSLs and load balance? Any infomed opinions are highly appreciated.

Wow, 58 views and not one answer!!!!

Wow, 58 views and not one answer!!!!

Not enough information to give an answer which helps.
Quality of your uplink depends on carrier and SLAs of this carrier.
Selection of carrier depends on country you live.

Stefan

Hi, most ISP that provide DSL service , especially those who offer "flat rate" service limit the number of connections (tcp, udp) you could establish. So main drawback to use DSL service for a small or medium sized ISP would be this.
Load balancing would help, but I would rather use DSL service as backup , and not as a main internet source.

Hope this help.
Ilija

So, what are most of you using for your wholesale? multiple DSL lines? dedicated T-1s?

So, what are most of you using for your wholesale? multiple DSL lines? dedicated T-1s?

Fast Ethernet based on Fiber.

Stefan

So, what are most of you using for your wholesale? multiple DSL lines? dedicated T-1s?

Dedicated T-1, fiber , ethernet , shdsl .... etc.

In Kenya we can get bandwidth from the wholesalers either on an MPLS Fiber network or via Fixed Wirless Links for terrestrial. Generally the wireless links are delivered through Alvarion or Motorola Canopy equipment.

Vsat is how ALL bandwidth enters the country at the moment.

Bandwidth is limited here. Kenyas Largest ISP has approx. 300 Megabits of bandwidth coming off of Vsat and DVB downlinks.

So, as was said before you must look at the service contract and quality of your upstream provider. Are they giving you real dedicated bandwidth or contended bandwidth?

Rgds

Alex

cost/performance is important but also where do your providers get their bandwidth. I'm in South Africa and even though we have access to undersea fiber, it's expensive. A lot of ISP's get their bandwidth from Satellite, VSat which is less reliable with much higher latency, ie 700-900ms. You have to decide what your business can afford and how much you are going to have to grow(or not) to justify the costs.

I'm personally using DSL and fractional T1 through several different providers to give more reliablity.

We have a few more customers than you but are in the same league..

We have a 2.3 meg leased line (a share in it for static IP upload and failover) and dual bonded aDSL max premium lines (12-14 meg down, 1 meg up). We have plenty spare capacity with this, and can offer..

4 meg / 1 meg
10 meg / 1 meg

up/down packages

I would suggest you look into bonded aDSL if it is available as it is a significant leap from even business premium aDSL to leased lines..

If you can get bonded aDSL that is a significant premium and the cost is not much more.
Otherwise it might be best to look at being more ambitious (ie ethernet over fibre at 20 or more megs is not *so* much more than T1 + aDSL and you get the SLA and reliability and could negociate in an aDSL backup free if you as astute...)

Good Luck..

Oh btw I am sure you know T1 etc is old technology and Ethrnet over fibre is the way to go if you can... Just make sure you business mode is correct at this recessionary time..

Thanks for the responses. I can not get bonded aDSL (sadly) but Im working a deal with Time Warner for a 10x10 fiber package. I have not yet been quoted a price, but it would resolve 90% of my current problems.

I ended up contracting with TimeWarner Cable, my primary competitor, for a 15x2 wholesale line for $250 dollars. They basically gave it away with a 5 year contract. This is a bulk contract, so as I expand, the price will remain the same for my new PoPs. Im almost giddy. I had the line put in last month and it makes a huge difference for my customers. We are at 66 customers and they are using about 60% max of capacity with no calls dropped on vonage or angry calls because of slow uploads. Im going to stop at 75 per PoP. At this price the line pays for itself at 10 customers, add the back up DSL, the equipment cost and truck rolls and 40 customers is about my break even point per POP (no salary yet, this is a growing pup) Looking for my second PoP now.
I also bought a PowerEdge 100 traffic manager used on Ebay. Did a password recovery and it actually works. I havent installed it yet, will post results once I do.