When it comes to surfing the Web, a fast, reliable connection is everything. With more Web sites adding dynamic content and large pictures, going beyond the text only HTML pages of the early years of the Web, a high bandwidth connection is essential. ISDN, DSL (Digital Subscriber Line) and Cable modems are the technologies most people are talking about. These offer dramatic speed increases compared to a 56K dial-up connection. ISDN is expensive and limited to Point to Point connections. DSL and Cable modems are not available in all areas of the country. So what can you do to increase your bandwidth if you live in an area not serviced by these new technologies or find the cost to high? Check out MultiLink, a technology borrowed from ISDN and ported over to Windows 98, ME and 2000. It allows you to use two 56K modems as one and effectively double your connection speed. Of course, using MultiLink is a bit more involved than just connecting two modems to your system, but it's not too difficult.

Note: DSL and Cable modems allow users to send and receive data in megabits, or millions of bits per second (Mbps). A 56K modem, sends and receive data in kilobits, or thousands of bits per second (Kbps). However, keep in mind that DSL and Cable modem systems vary widely and have different speeds for download and upload. As such, it's difficult to give exact connection speeds.

Want faster access?
Try Multi-Link

Learn how to speed up your Internet dial-up connection with a second phone line and a second modem.

The first thing that you need in order to be able to take advantage of MultiLink is an ISP that supports the MultiLink PPP technology. Cybernet offers this service at no extra charge.

The second thing you need to use MultiLink is the software. If you're running Windows 98, ME or 2000, you're all set as far as software goes because MultiLink comes with the operating system. If you're running Windows 95, you need to download and install the Dial Up Networking 1.3 Performance & Security Update. This includes the MultiLink software.

The next thing you need is two modems. You can use two different speed modems, but this limits the speed to that of the slower modem, using two of the same speed will yield more satisfactory results. You can use any combination of internal and external modems. You will need two separate phone lines, one phone line for each modem.

About Multilink

MultiLink allows you to use two separate modems as if they were a single modem. The MultiLink software configures your modems to collaborate in such a way that your connection speed is doubled. For example, if you have two 56K modems you'll essentially get a connection speed of 112K.

In order to attain this type of speed, MultiLink intercepts data packets heading for the Internet, splits them in two, and sends each half of the packet to a separate modem. Each modem then sends a half packet to the ISP. When the half packets reach the ISP, the server software reassembles the original data packet and sends it out to the Internet. On the return trip, a data packet heading from the Internet to your computer is intercepted by your ISP's server, which then splits it in two, and then sends a half-packet back to each of your modems. The end result of this is that your connection can handle Internet data in half the time. This then equates to doubling your modem speed.

Note: As you may know, current CRTC regulations limit a 56K modem's connection speed to 53 Kbps. Furthermore, a speed of 53 Kbps is only possible if there is just one analog switch between your modem and the phone company. If your connection goes through more than one analog switch, which is very likely, your modem's data transfer rate drops. As such, most people using a 56K modem typically get a connection somewhere between 45 Kbps and 50 Kbps. This means that combining two 56K modems with MultiLink will yield a connection speed of somewhere between 90 Kbps and 100 Kbps.

Configuring software

Once all the equipment and phone lines are set up, configuring MultiLink is easy. To begin, open the Dial-Up Networking folder. If you signed up with a new ISP, you'll need to double-click on the Make a New Connection icon and create a new connection just like you normally would.

Once you create the new connection, or if your using an existing connection, simply right-click on your connection icon and select Properties from the shortcut menu. When you see the connection property dialog box, select the MultiLink tab.

Then, select the Use Additional Devices option to enable the MultiLink configuration page.

Making A MultiLink Connection

To make a MultiLink connection, just double-click on your connection icon in the Dial-Up Networking window. When you do, you'll see the initial Connecting To dialog box as you normally would. After the initial connection is established, you'll hear the second modem begin dialing the second connection.

As soon as Dial-Up Networking establishes the second connection, double-click the connection icon in the system tray. When you see the Connected To dialog box, select the Details button to expand the dialog box, so that you can see all the details.

You'll always get a connection that can be evenly divisible by two. The reason being that the highest connection that the second modem can establish must match the speed of the first connection.

There is a Suspend button at the bottom of the dialog box. When you click this button, the second modem hangs up and the connection speed drops down to one modem. This comes in handy if you need to free up one of the phone lines to make a call, and still want to be connected to the Internet.

When you disconnect the second modem, Dial-Up Networking renames the button Resume. When you click the Resume button, the second modem re-establishes its connection and again doubles your connection speed.

Tip: When using two modems to establish a connection with MultiLink, both modems negotiate the highest connection speed that can reliably be supported under the current conditions. There are many factors that can prevent them from negotiating their maximum connection speed. These situations are fairly common and aren't something you need to worry about. If you don't feel that the current connection speed is satisfactory, just disconnect and try the call again.

Unfortunately, DSL and cable modems aren't yet available in all parts of the country. However, you can double your connection speed with two lines, two modems and Cybernet MultiLink.