Multiple ISP's, Lan cards on the server

[madox]

Hi,

I'm new to truecafe and pretty much new to starting my own net cafe in general. So I downloaded the demo copy of truecafe to test it's systems. I find the interface pretty confusing but I'm sure I'll get the hang of it.

My main question is whether the truecafe server can handle multiple LAN cards for multiple ISP connections. See here in the Philippines it's not really wise to just have 1 ISP. I rather have multiple ISP running just in case one goes down.

Thanks for all the help.

Spencer

[Serge (TC)]

Hello Spencer,

Thank you for your interest in our product!

1) Excuse me, what's the most confusing for you in the interface?

2) What do you mean, "handle multiple LAN cards"? How does the program should handle a LAN card?

Regards,
Serge.

[madox]

Hi Serge,

Thanks for the reply. I just want to add that I'm studying the interface of true cafe and have not started my internet cafe business yet. I figure I should have a fully functioning system before I open the cafe.

1) Excuse me, what's the most confusing for you in the interface?

When I installed the program (trial version) in the server there were pre installed items like food, and 2 terminals and user names. I had not setup my work stations yet. So it was pretty confusing for me to have all these pre installed items while I'm trying to figure out the system itself. Since the items where pre installed / setup I'm not sure what I can or cannot delete. Sorry for the stupidity

2) What do you mean, "handle multiple LAN cards"? How does the program should handle a LAN card?

What I mean by this question is can I attach more than 1 wan lan card to the server? Here is a sample setup.
- I have 2 ISP's = 2 modems
- both of these modems will connect to the server = 3 lan cards being used (2 wan, 1 lan)



Will the server be able to act like a load balancing router or will it be better to purchase a load balancing router instead such as this dlink load balancing router.http://www.dlink.com/products/?pid=452

Thanks for the advice and help.

[Serge (TC)]

Hello Spencer,

1) So you mean it would be better to somehow specify in the program that the default user names and the terminals are for demo purpose only and you can easily delete them, correct?

2) Yes, you can use a number of LAN cards in your server, there should not be any problems with this. Unfortunately there is no any load balancing feature in our software now, so you should obtain another hardware/software for this.

Please let me know if you have any further questions!

Regards,
Serge.

[madox]

Hi Serge,

I appreciate the help especially coming from the CEO of the company

1) So you mean it would be better to somehow specify in the program that the default user names and the terminals are for demo purpose only and you can easily delete them, correct?

Yes, this is exactly my point. Actually it would be better if there were no pre installed terminals or items in the order list. I feel it would be better for a new user to slowly add the items, terminals, and users by himself. I personally feel I would learn the system faster this way.

2) Yes, you can use a number of LAN cards in your server, there should not be any problems with this. Unfortunately there is no any load balancing feature in our software now, so you should obtain another hardware/software for this.

So how will this setup work? How will the server distribute the internet traffic from both WAN connections? Will it distribute it in a way to closely match a 50/50 ratio on the internet traffic? Or will it use 100% on the first WAN then fall back to the second WAN connection?

Thanks for the help Serge.

[Serge (TC)]

Hello Spencer,

That's completely your network setup issues, TrueCafe doesn't have any Internet/network providing components. Not sure I see how our software can help you connect to the Internet or balance your network load.

Please let me know if you have any further questions!

Regards,
Serge.

[madox]

I guess the safest answer should be the truecafe server only uses 2 lan cards. 1 in, 1 out. Use a load balancing router if you need to connect more than 1 ISP to they system and use a router or switch if you want to distribute to more work stations.

Thanks!

[Serge (TC)]

Yes, this sounds much better, thank you.

Please let me know if you have further questions.

Regards,
Serge.

[Ardill]

I guess the safest answer should be the truecafe server only uses 2 lan cards. 1 in, 1 out. Use a load balancing router if you need to connect more than 1 ISP to they system and use a router or switch if you want to distribute to more work stations.

Thanks!

You need to use Windows Server. You can then install RRAS to setup failover routing on the WAN interface. The WAN/ISP is transparent Truecafe. It doesn't route the traffic itself. The OS does via RRAS or ICS, thus it pretty well supports any configuration.

Dead Gateway Detection with RRAS and Demand Dial Connections
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/205027