Installing backup wireless WAN access to a basic small office with cable internet service

tomyak

Reputable
Oct 17, 2016
6
0
4,520
I'm in a small 3-computer office. All computers are cabled to a DI-655 router then to a cable modem and out into the world via our cable supplier (Rogers). There was a 2-hour outage this morning. The boss is unhappy so I'm looking for a way to provide alternate network accesss. The biggest bang-for-buck (also simplest?) would seem to be to be able to install a router or other gizmo that can divert WAN traffic to a cellphone set up as a hotspot when the cable service goes out. The switch-over doesn't even need to be automatic.

A small amount of research suggests that I MIGHT BE looking for something (router, gizmo) that provides WDS.

Can anyone suggest equipment to fit this need?

Thank you.
 
Solution
I implemented a solution that is simple, in retrospect (once I identified as the MR3020 being the needed piece. Thanks to someone who mentioned WISP), and seems pretty easy for technophobes in the office to successfully power-up when needed.

New equipment needed: TP-LINK TL-MR3020 ($CAD40.00).

The MR3020 is set to "WISP" mode with hardware switch. It is then easy - when the cable internet goes down - to swap to the cell phone back up by:

1. unplug, at the cable modem, the network cable that is connected to the WAN port of the router and plug into the single port on the MR3020;
2. power down both the MR3020 (or simply plug it in if it was behind the "break in case of emergency" glass) and the router;
3. Power up the MR3020 and wait...

tomyak

Reputable
Oct 17, 2016
6
0
4,520
I implemented a solution that is simple, in retrospect (once I identified as the MR3020 being the needed piece. Thanks to someone who mentioned WISP), and seems pretty easy for technophobes in the office to successfully power-up when needed.

New equipment needed: TP-LINK TL-MR3020 ($CAD40.00).

The MR3020 is set to "WISP" mode with hardware switch. It is then easy - when the cable internet goes down - to swap to the cell phone back up by:

1. unplug, at the cable modem, the network cable that is connected to the WAN port of the router and plug into the single port on the MR3020;
2. power down both the MR3020 (or simply plug it in if it was behind the "break in case of emergency" glass) and the router;
3. Power up the MR3020 and wait for a bit (waiting may or may not be helpful)
4. power up the router.

That's it.

The bandwidth is not "woo hoo" but I can surf successfully (amazon.com starts to display in 2 seconds and is complete in 8 seconds) and, most importantly, access gmail without lag and other sites necessary for the software we use. I'm a happy camper.

If anyone wants to contact me for further info, I think I am notified by email when an update to this thread is posted.

My equipment:

1. Windows computers connected to a
2. 4-port unmanaged 10/100/1000 switch (superfluous), connected to a
3. D-LINK DIR-655 router, then out the WAN port to a
4. TP-LINK TL-MR3020
5. Moto G3 phone (hotspot) on Wind mobile (think economy cell service provider; more Chevy than Rolls)
 
Solution