This article explains how to aggregate two or more internet connections together, effectively creating a single large local network. Speedify is an application that allows you to combine two internet connections on any type of device while also acting as a VPN. The free version of Speedify has a monthly data limit of 5 GB. If you want to operate without any traffic limit, you need to subscribe to the service that provides a monthly cost of $ 8.99 or an annual cost of $ 49.99.
Steps
Method 1 of 4: Using Speedify for Windows and Mac
Step 1. Connect the computer to the main internet connection
If you normally use a wired network connection, connect the computer's network port to a free LAN port on the router / modem using an Ethernet cable. If you are using a Wi-Fi connection, click on the wireless network connection icon (it has three parallel curved lines) visible on the Mac menu bar or Windows taskbar. At this point, select the Wi-Fi network you want to connect to and enter the security password when prompted.
Step 2. Connect the computer to the secondary network connection
If you need to aggregate a wired connection and a Wi-Fi connection, the solution is very simple: you will have to connect to the Wi-Fi network and then to the wired network using an Ethernet cable that will be connected to the RJ-45 port of the computer. If, on the other hand, you want to aggregate two wired connections or two Wi-Fi connections, or if your computer does not have an Ethernet network port, it is very likely that you will need to purchase a USB Ethernet adapter (in case the secondary connection is wired) or a Wi adapter. -Fi USB (in case the secondary network connection is wireless).
If you are using a Mac, you will need to install additional drivers in order to use a USB Wi-Fi adapter. In this case, make sure that the Wi-Fi adapter is compatible with the Mac operating system. In this scenario you will not be able to use a USB Ethernet adapter
Step 3. Visit the Speedify website using an internet browser
You can use any of the browsers available for PC or Mac.
Step 4. Click the Download for Windows button or Download on the App Store.
If you are using a Windows operating system, click on the button Download for Windows to download the version of Speedify compatible with the operating system produced by Microsoft. If you are using a Mac, click on the button Download on the App Store to download the version of Speedify for Mac.
Speedify is compatible with Windows 7 and later versions or with macOS 10.10 or later
Step 5. Double-click the installation file
After completing the download of the Speedify installation file, click on the file " SpeedifyInstaller.exe"if you are using Windows or" SpeedifyInstaller.dmg"if you are using a Mac. By default the files you upload from the web are stored in the" Downloads "folder, but in some cases you can run them directly from the browser window. This will start the Speedify installation procedure.
Step 6. Launch Speedify
Once the program is installed, it will start automatically. Then you can start it directly from the Windows "Start" menu, located in the lower left corner of the desktop, or by performing a search by clicking on the icon depicting a magnifying glass if you are using a Mac. In both cases, type the keyword speedify, then click on the corresponding app icon that will appear in the search results list. Speedify features a blue icon depicting the letter "S".
Step 7. Click the Continue button
It is green in color and is located at the bottom of the screen.
Step 8. Click the Agree and Continue button
It is green in color and is visible in the center of the page. By doing this you will accept the terms and conditions for using the licensed program.
Step 9. Click on the slider next to "Speedify"
After starting the program both of your computer's network connections will be listed at the top of the window. If the cursor next to "Speedify" is green, it means that both connections are working correctly. Remember that the free version of Speedify has a monthly data traffic limit of 5 GB. If you want to remove this constraint, you will need to subscribe to the service that costs $ 8.99 per month or $ 49.99 per year.
Method 2 of 4: Using Speedify on Mobile Devices
Step 1. Go to the Google Play Store
or the App Store
If you are using an Android device, select the Google Play Store app icon to launch it. It is characterized by a multicolored triangle facing right. If you are using an iOS device, tap the blue icon with the white letter "A" to access the App Store.
Step 2. Select the Search tab (on iPhone or iPad only)
If you are using an iOS device, select the content search tab icon located in the lower right corner of the screen to access the corresponding screen.
Step 3. Type the keyword Speedify into the search bar
If you are using an Android device, the search bar is displayed at the top of the Google Play Store. If you are using an iOS device, you will find it in the "Search" tab. Tapping the search bar will display the virtual keyboard of the device that you can use to enter the keyword "Speedify". The search results list will be displayed.
Step 4. Select the Speedify option visible within the search results list
If you are using the Google Play Store, you will have access to the specific page of the program, while if you are using the App Store a list of apps similar to the one you are looking for will be displayed.
Step 5. Press the Install button or Get.
If you are using the Google Play Store, press the button Install to install the Speedify app on your device. If you are using an iPhone or iPad, press the button Get related to the Speedify app to install it on your device. The Speedfy app is characterized by a blue icon with the white letter "S" inside.
Step 6. Launch the Speedify app
At the end of the installation procedure, touch the blue icon with the white letter "S" inside that appeared on the device Home or in the "Applications" panel. This will start the program. Alternatively, you can press the button You open visible on the App Store or Google Play Store page.
Step 7. Press the Continue button
It is green in color and is located at the bottom of the screen.
Step 8. Press the Agree and Continue button
It is green in color and is visible in the center of the page. By doing this you will accept the terms and conditions for using the licensed program.
Step 9. Press the white configuration button, then choose the Allow item
The Speedify app needs to have access to certain device functions. Both on Android devices and on iPhones and iPads, the program needs to have access to the location. On Android devices, you need to authorize the app to be able to make changes to the device status. On iPhone and iPad, you need to create a VPN profile for Speedify and allow receiving notifications. Press the check buttons visible on the screen, then select the item Allow to enable all the required features.
Step 10. Press the Continue button
Once you have authorized the app and configured all the necessary functions, press the green button Continue located at the bottom of the screen.
Step 11. Choose the Yes, apply data caps option or No, I have an unlimited data plan.
Speedify on mobile devices allows you to use the cellular data connection and the Wi-Fi connection at the same time. If you have not subscribed to a subscription plan with no traffic limits, choose the voice Yes, apply data caps, which has a monthly data limit of 2GB, so choose the option Got it to continue. If, on the other hand, you have subscribed to the service, choose the item No, I have an unlimited data plan to be able to use the internet connection without any traffic limit.
Step 12. Activate the slider next to "Speedify"
This way the cellular data connection and the Wi-Fi connection will be aggregated. Remember that the free version of Speedify has a monthly data traffic limit of 5 GB. If you want to remove this constraint, you will need to subscribe to the service that costs $ 8.99 per month or $ 49.99 per year.
If there is another active VPN profile on your device, you will need to go to the "VPN" tab of the "Settings" menu and disable the current VPN profile before you can use Speedify
Method 3 of 4: Use a Router With Load Balancing Function
Step 1. Purchase a network router that can balance the workload across multiple connections
This type of device is able to manage multiple internet connections as if they were one. Having a router of this type available, it is possible to connect it to several different Wi-Fi networks, so that they are managed as if they were a single internet connection.
A router capable of managing two internet connections and equipped with the functionality that allows you to balance network traffic between the two lines has a cost between 40 and 90 euros
Step 2. Connect all the modems to the router
If you have two or more Wi-Fi networks generated and managed by different modems, you can connect each modem to the network router using an Ethernet cable. Plug one end of a cable into the "Internet" port on one of the modems, then plug the other end of the same cable into a network port on the router. Repeat this step for all other modems.
Step 3. Access the router configuration page using your computer
You can do this by typing the router's IP address into the browser's address bar. The router's IP address can be found by examining the computer's network settings.
If for any reason you have problems accessing the router configuration page using the IP address found in the computer's network connection settings, refer to the "Basic Setup" section of the router manual to find the address correct
Step 4. Click on the Advanced tab
It is normally listed on the left side of the router configuration page.
Although the configuration pages of the various router models are normally very similar, you may find differences in the names and locations of the various options, depending on the make and model of your router
Step 5. Click on Load Balance
Again, you should find it listed in the left panel of the router management page.
Step 6. Disable the "Enable Application Optimized Routing" check button
Normally it should be placed at the top of the page.
Step 7. Uncheck the "Enable Bandwidth Based Balance Routing" checkbox
By deselecting this function and the one indicated in the previous step, the router will be able to automatically balance and distribute the data traffic on all the internet lines to which it is connected, using them as if they were a single connection.
Step 8. Click the OK button or Save.
Any changes made to the network router configuration will be saved.
Step 9. Use your new network connection
If you have successfully completed setting up your new router with load balancing function and your computer is currently connected to the network through that router, you should notice a substantial difference in the speed at which you can browse the web.
Method 4 of 4: Create an Aggregate Connection on Mac
Step 1. Make sure you have two Ethernet network ports available
In order to aggregate two network connections using a Mac and without resorting to the use of a special router, the computer must have an Ethernet port to be able to connect to each modem. Alternatively, it must be able to use an Ethernet adapter:
- If your Mac has an Ethernet port and at least one USB-C (Thunderbolt 3) port, you can purchase an Apple USB-C to Ethernet Adapter that acts as a second network port.
- If your Mac lacks Ethernet ports, but offers at least two USB-C (Thunderbolt 3) ports, you can solve the problem by purchasing two Apple USB-C to Ethernet adapters.
- If you have only one USB-C (Thunderbolt 3) port and no Ethernet ports, you won't be able to connect to two different networks at the same time. In this case you will need to use a router with a load balancing function.
- Since the Mac can only aggregate two network connections that both comply with the 802.3ad standard, you won't be able to use regular USB 3.0 Ethernet adapters.
Step 2. Connect both network routers / modems to the Mac
Use an Ethernet cable for each network device, start by plugging one end of the cable into the "LAN" port on the respective router, then plug the other end into the Ethernet port on your Mac.
If you need to use one or more Ethernet adapters, you will need to connect them to your Mac and then connect the network cables to the corresponding adapter
Step 3. Access the "Apple" menu
Click on the Apple logo icon visible in the upper left corner of the screen. A drop-down menu will appear.
Step 4. Click on the System Preferences… option
It is one of the first items on the drop-down menu that appeared. The "System Preferences" dialog box will appear.
Step 5. Click the Network icon
It is characterized by a blue globe. The "Network" dialog box will appear.
Step 6. Click on the "Actions" icon with a gear
It is located at the bottom of the "Network" window. A new pop-up window will appear.
Step 7. Click on the Manage virtual interfaces… option
It is one of the options listed in the "Actions" menu. A new dialog box will appear on the screen.
Step 8. Click on the ＋ button
It is located in the lower left part of the window. A drop-down menu will appear.
Step 9. Click on the New Link Aggregation… option
It is one of the items listed in the drop-down menu that appeared.
Step 10. Select the Ethernet ports to aggregate
Click on the check button on the left of each of the Ethernet network connections that need to be aggregated.
Step 11. Give it a name
Type the name you want to assign to the new network connection in the text field located at the top of the window.
Step 12. Click the Create buttons successively And Apply.
This will create a new network connection resulting from the aggregation of the two networks to which the Mac is connected that will be used immediately by the latter. At this point the Mac should be able to balance the workload of downloading files and watching streaming video on both internet lines it is connected to.
Advice
- Aggregating two internet connections does not double the data download speed, but increases the overall bandwidth by splitting the workload across both connections. Bandwidth represents the amount of data that can be downloaded from the web at any given time without noticing any slowdown in download speed.
- Once you've aggregated the internet connections you've selected, try watching a streaming video while simultaneously downloading large files. This way you can see what the actual bandwidth improvement was.
- If you don't have a second wireless internet connection available near your home or office, you can use your smartphone's data connection using it as a personal hotspot.
