Fault Tolerant Multi-WAN

Loss of internet connectivity or connectivity between two sites of the same business would often cause serious productivity issues.  Therefore we regard it as essential to have a second internet connection at each site.  

In the report PDF at the bottom of this page, you can see how using a Sonicwall NSA240 at each site allows for fault tolerant internet, email and site to site VPN connectivity.  

Internet Connectivity

With both internet connections working, the internet traffic is load balanced across both connections.  This is known as an active-active configuration.

Should one of the internet connections fail, as traffic is already being routed out of both connections, only connections on the router that failed would notice the disruption as all traffic is transferred to the remaining connection.

E-mail Connectivity

Primary and secondary e-mail routes via ADSL are up and working. DNS is configured to have both routes in the MX records.

Secondary route fails but Primary is still running.  No disruption to service.

Primary route fails but Secondary is still running.  No disruption to service.

VPN Connectivity

All internet connections are working and VPN connecting to primary remote gateway.

Primary VPN Gateway fails and the VPN connects to the secondary remote gateway.

Primary outgoing internet connection fails so multi-wan failover routes the VPN via the alternate internet connection to the secondary VPN remote gateway as the primary VPN gateway is still down.

There would be only minor disruption as each failure occurs and the system would automatically recover the VPN link within minutes without requiring user intervention.

Download this report on fault tolerant multi-WAN installations here

Micro Plus Computers is a well established IT company with bases in Oswestry, Shropshire and Wrexham, North Wales, operating throughout the UK. We supply complete IT systems and a wide array of technical services to businesses and educational establishments, providing excellent levels of service and reliability in all areas.