Redundant Internet connections on consumer hardware with OpenWrt and Mwan3
Double Track

© Lead Image © sermax55, 123RF.com
Redundant Internet uplinks are standard on big corporate networks, but they are still the exception for the home and small-office sector. If you're ready to experiment, you can set up redundant Internet connections on your own home router with OpenWrt and the powerful Mwan3 extension.
A router with two Internet connections provides many advantages, including better network performance and continued operation if one link fails. Redundant Internet connections have long been standard for data centers and enterprise networks, but they are relatively rare in homes and small offices.
One reason for the absence of redundant connections on small networks is cost, but even when cost is not an issue, home users and small-time admins are often intimidated by the technical issues of supporting two Internet connections through the same inexpensive router.
The ever-resourceful open source universe, however, does provide an inexpensive solution for running redundant Internet connections through an inexpensive home router. The solution begins with OpenWrt, a Linux distribution designed to run on routers and other embedded devices. If you are adventurous enough to install OpenWrt on your router device, you will discover you have much more control over the device than you ever had with the standard router firmware interface. In particular, the Mwan3 extension available for OpenWrt provides support for redundant connections. Mwan3 dynamically manages access via two or more uplinks, uses Ping to ensure that the links are working and, when necessary, adds NAT support and dynamic IPtables rules.
[...]
Buy this article as PDF
(incl. VAT)
Buy Linux Magazine
Subscribe to our Linux Newsletters
Find Linux and Open Source Jobs
Subscribe to our ADMIN Newsletters
Support Our Work
Linux Magazine content is made possible with support from readers like you. Please consider contributing when you’ve found an article to be beneficial.

News
-
System76 Releases COSMIC Alpha 7
With scores of bug fixes and a really cool workspaces feature, COSMIC is looking to soon migrate from alpha to beta.
-
OpenMandriva Lx 6.0 Available for Installation
The latest release of OpenMandriva has arrived with a new kernel, an updated Plasma desktop, and a server edition.
-
TrueNAS 25.04 Arrives with Thousands of Changes
One of the most popular Linux-based NAS solutions has rolled out the latest edition, based on Ubuntu 25.04.
-
Fedora 42 Available with Two New Spins
The latest release from the Fedora Project includes the usual updates, a new kernel, an official KDE Plasma spin, and a new System76 spin.
-
So Long, ArcoLinux
The ArcoLinux distribution is the latest Linux distribution to shut down.
-
What Open Source Pros Look for in a Job Role
Learn what professionals in technical and non-technical roles say is most important when seeking a new position.
-
Asahi Linux Runs into Issues with M4 Support
Due to Apple Silicon changes, the Asahi Linux project is at odds with adding support for the M4 chips.
-
Plasma 6.3.4 Now Available
Although not a major release, Plasma 6.3.4 does fix some bugs and offer a subtle change for the Plasma sidebar.
-
Linux Kernel 6.15 First Release Candidate Now Available
Linux Torvalds has announced that the release candidate for the final release of the Linux 6.15 series is now available.
-
Akamai Will Host kernel.org
The organization dedicated to cloud-based solutions has agreed to host kernel.org to deliver long-term stability for the development team.