- EQL Driver: Serial IP Load Balancing HOWTO
+.. SPDX-License-Identifier: GPL-2.0
+
+==========================================
+EQL Driver: Serial IP Load Balancing HOWTO
+==========================================
+
Simon "Guru Aleph-Null" Janes, simon@ncm.com
+
v1.1, February 27, 1995
This is the manual for the EQL device driver. EQL is a software device
which was only created to patch cleanly in the very latest kernel
source trees. (Yes, it worked fine.)
- 1. Introduction
+1. Introduction
+===============
Which is worse? A huge fee for a 56K leased line or two phone lines?
It's probably the former. If you find yourself craving more bandwidth,
Hey, we can all dream you know...
- 2. Kernel Configuration
+2. Kernel Configuration
+=======================
Here I describe the general steps of getting a kernel up and working
with the eql driver. From patching, building, to installing.
- 2.1. Patching The Kernel
+2.1. Patching The Kernel
+------------------------
If you do not have or cannot get a copy of the kernel with the eql
driver folded into it, get your copy of the driver from
ftp://slaughter.ncm.com/pub/Linux/LOAD_BALANCING/eql-1.1.tar.gz.
Unpack this archive someplace obvious like /usr/local/src/. It will
- create the following files:
-
-
+ create the following files::
- ______________________________________________________________________
-rw-r--r-- guru/ncm 198 Jan 19 18:53 1995 eql-1.1/NO-WARRANTY
-rw-r--r-- guru/ncm 30620 Feb 27 21:40 1995 eql-1.1/eql-1.1.patch
-rwxr-xr-x guru/ncm 16111 Jan 12 22:29 1995 eql-1.1/eql_enslave
-rw-r--r-- guru/ncm 2195 Jan 10 21:48 1995 eql-1.1/eql_enslave.c
- ______________________________________________________________________
Unpack a recent kernel (something after 1.1.92) someplace convenient
like say /usr/src/linux-1.1.92.eql. Use symbolic links to point
/usr/src/linux to this development directory.
- Apply the patch by running the commands:
+ Apply the patch by running the commands::
-
- ______________________________________________________________________
cd /usr/src
patch </usr/local/src/eql-1.1/eql-1.1.patch
- ______________________________________________________________________
-
-
-
- 2.2. Building The Kernel
+2.2. Building The Kernel
+------------------------
After patching the kernel, run make config and configure the kernel
for your hardware.
After configuration, make and install according to your habit.
- 3. Network Configuration
+3. Network Configuration
+========================
So far, I have only used the eql device with the DSLIP SLIP connection
manager by Matt Dillon (-- "The man who sold his soul to code so much
connection.
- 3.1. /etc/rc.d/rc.inet1
+3.1. /etc/rc.d/rc.inet1
+-----------------------
In rc.inet1, ifconfig the eql device to the IP address you usually use
for your machine, and the MTU you prefer for your SLIP lines. One
could argue that MTU should be roughly half the usual size for two
modems, one-third for three, one-fourth for four, etc... But going
too far below 296 is probably overkill. Here is an example ifconfig
- command that sets up the eql device:
-
+ command that sets up the eql device::
-
- ______________________________________________________________________
ifconfig eql 198.67.33.239 mtu 1006
- ______________________________________________________________________
-
-
-
-
Once the eql device is up and running, add a static default route to
it in the routing table using the cool new route syntax that makes
- life so much easier:
+ life so much easier::
-
-
- ______________________________________________________________________
route add default eql
- ______________________________________________________________________
- 3.2. Enslaving Devices By Hand
+3.2. Enslaving Devices By Hand
+------------------------------
Enslaving devices by hand requires two utility programs: eql_enslave
and eql_emancipate (-- eql_emancipate hasn't been written because when
The syntax for enslaving a device is "eql_enslave <master-name>
- <slave-name> <estimated-bps>". Here are some example enslavings:
-
+ <slave-name> <estimated-bps>". Here are some example enslavings::
-
- ______________________________________________________________________
eql_enslave eql sl0 28800
eql_enslave eql ppp0 14400
eql_enslave eql sl1 57600
- ______________________________________________________________________
-
-
-
-
When you want to free a device from its life of slavery, you can
either down the device with ifconfig (eql will automatically bury the
dead slave and remove it from its queue) or use eql_emancipate to free
it. (-- Or just ifconfig it down, and the eql driver will take it out
- for you.--)
-
-
+ for you.--)::
- ______________________________________________________________________
eql_emancipate eql sl0
eql_emancipate eql ppp0
eql_emancipate eql sl1
- ______________________________________________________________________
-
-
-
- 3.3. DSLIP Configuration for the eql Device
+3.3. DSLIP Configuration for the eql Device
+-------------------------------------------
The general idea is to bring up and keep up as many SLIP connections
as you need, automatically.
- 3.3.1. /etc/slip/runslip.conf
-
- Here is an example runslip.conf:
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
+3.3.1. /etc/slip/runslip.conf
+^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
+ Here is an example runslip.conf::
+ name sl-line-1
+ enabled
+ baud 38400
+ mtu 576
+ ducmd -e /etc/slip/dialout/cua2-288.xp -t 9
+ command eql_enslave eql $interface 28800
+ address 198.67.33.239
+ line /dev/cua2
+ name sl-line-2
+ enabled
+ baud 38400
+ mtu 576
+ ducmd -e /etc/slip/dialout/cua3-288.xp -t 9
+ command eql_enslave eql $interface 28800
+ address 198.67.33.239
+ line /dev/cua3
- ______________________________________________________________________
- name sl-line-1
- enabled
- baud 38400
- mtu 576
- ducmd -e /etc/slip/dialout/cua2-288.xp -t 9
- command eql_enslave eql $interface 28800
- address 198.67.33.239
- line /dev/cua2
- name sl-line-2
- enabled
- baud 38400
- mtu 576
- ducmd -e /etc/slip/dialout/cua3-288.xp -t 9
- command eql_enslave eql $interface 28800
- address 198.67.33.239
- line /dev/cua3
- ______________________________________________________________________
-
-
-
-
-
- 3.4. Using PPP and the eql Device
+3.4. Using PPP and the eql Device
+---------------------------------
I have not yet done any load-balancing testing for PPP devices, mainly
because I don't have a PPP-connection manager like SLIP has with
year.
- 4. About the Slave Scheduler Algorithm
+4. About the Slave Scheduler Algorithm
+======================================
The slave scheduler probably could be replaced with a dozen other
things and push traffic much faster. The formula in the current set
traffic and the "slower" modem starved.
- 5. Testers' Reports
+5. Testers' Reports
+===================
Some people have experimented with the eql device with newer
kernels (than 1.1.75). I have since updated the driver to patch
balancing" driver config option.
- o icee from LinuxNET patched 1.1.86 without any rejects and was able
+ - icee from LinuxNET patched 1.1.86 without any rejects and was able
to boot the kernel and enslave a couple of ISDN PPP links.
- 5.1. Randolph Bentson's Test Report
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+5.1. Randolph Bentson's Test Report
+-----------------------------------
+ ::
+ From bentson@grieg.seaslug.org Wed Feb 8 19:08:09 1995
+ Date: Tue, 7 Feb 95 22:57 PST
+ From: Randolph Bentson <bentson@grieg.seaslug.org>
+ To: guru@ncm.com
+ Subject: EQL driver tests
+ I have been checking out your eql driver. (Nice work, that!)
+ Although you may already done this performance testing, here
+ are some data I've discovered.
+ Randolph Bentson
+ bentson@grieg.seaslug.org
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- From bentson@grieg.seaslug.org Wed Feb 8 19:08:09 1995
- Date: Tue, 7 Feb 95 22:57 PST
- From: Randolph Bentson <bentson@grieg.seaslug.org>
- To: guru@ncm.com
- Subject: EQL driver tests
-
-
- I have been checking out your eql driver. (Nice work, that!)
- Although you may already done this performance testing, here
- are some data I've discovered.
-
- Randolph Bentson
- bentson@grieg.seaslug.org
-
- ---------------------------------------------------------
+------------------------------------------------------------------
A pseudo-device driver, EQL, written by Simon Janes, can be used
Once a link was established, I timed a binary ftp transfer of
289284 bytes of data. If there were no overhead (packet headers,
inter-character and inter-packet delays, etc.) the transfers
- would take the following times:
+ would take the following times::
bits/sec seconds
345600 8.3
that the connection establishment seemed fragile for the higher
speeds. Once established, the connection seemed robust enough.)
- #lines speed mtu seconds theory actual %of
- kbit/sec duration speed speed max
- 3 115200 900 _ 345600
- 3 115200 400 18.1 345600 159825 46
- 2 115200 900 _ 230400
- 2 115200 600 18.1 230400 159825 69
- 2 115200 400 19.3 230400 149888 65
- 4 57600 900 _ 234600
- 4 57600 600 _ 234600
- 4 57600 400 _ 234600
- 3 57600 600 20.9 172800 138413 80
- 3 57600 900 21.2 172800 136455 78
- 3 115200 600 21.7 345600 133311 38
- 3 57600 400 22.5 172800 128571 74
- 4 38400 900 25.2 153600 114795 74
- 4 38400 600 26.4 153600 109577 71
- 4 38400 400 27.3 153600 105965 68
- 2 57600 900 29.1 115200 99410.3 86
- 1 115200 900 30.7 115200 94229.3 81
- 2 57600 600 30.2 115200 95789.4 83
- 3 38400 900 30.3 115200 95473.3 82
- 3 38400 600 31.2 115200 92719.2 80
- 1 115200 600 31.3 115200 92423 80
- 2 57600 400 32.3 115200 89561.6 77
- 1 115200 400 32.8 115200 88196.3 76
- 3 38400 400 33.5 115200 86353.4 74
- 2 38400 900 43.7 76800 66197.7 86
- 2 38400 600 44 76800 65746.4 85
- 2 38400 400 47.2 76800 61289 79
- 4 19200 900 50.8 76800 56945.7 74
- 4 19200 400 53.2 76800 54376.7 70
- 4 19200 600 53.7 76800 53870.4 70
- 1 57600 900 54.6 57600 52982.4 91
- 1 57600 600 56.2 57600 51474 89
- 3 19200 900 60.5 57600 47815.5 83
- 1 57600 400 60.2 57600 48053.8 83
- 3 19200 600 62 57600 46658.7 81
- 3 19200 400 64.7 57600 44711.6 77
- 1 38400 900 79.4 38400 36433.8 94
- 1 38400 600 82.4 38400 35107.3 91
- 2 19200 900 84.4 38400 34275.4 89
- 1 38400 400 86.8 38400 33327.6 86
- 2 19200 600 87.6 38400 33023.3 85
- 2 19200 400 91.2 38400 31719.7 82
- 4 9600 900 94.7 38400 30547.4 79
- 4 9600 400 106 38400 27290.9 71
- 4 9600 600 110 38400 26298.5 68
- 3 9600 900 118 28800 24515.6 85
- 3 9600 600 120 28800 24107 83
- 3 9600 400 131 28800 22082.7 76
- 1 19200 900 155 19200 18663.5 97
- 1 19200 600 161 19200 17968 93
- 1 19200 400 170 19200 17016.7 88
- 2 9600 600 176 19200 16436.6 85
- 2 9600 900 180 19200 16071.3 83
- 2 9600 400 181 19200 15982.5 83
- 1 9600 900 305 9600 9484.72 98
- 1 9600 600 314 9600 9212.87 95
- 1 9600 400 332 9600 8713.37 90
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- 5.2. Anthony Healy's Report
-
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- Date: Mon, 13 Feb 1995 16:17:29 +1100 (EST)
- From: Antony Healey <ahealey@st.nepean.uws.edu.au>
- To: Simon Janes <guru@ncm.com>
- Subject: Re: Load Balancing
-
- Hi Simon,
+ ====== ======== === ======== ======= ======= ===
+ #lines speed mtu seconds theory actual %of
+ kbit/sec duration speed speed max
+ ====== ======== === ======== ======= ======= ===
+ 3 115200 900 _ 345600
+ 3 115200 400 18.1 345600 159825 46
+ 2 115200 900 _ 230400
+ 2 115200 600 18.1 230400 159825 69
+ 2 115200 400 19.3 230400 149888 65
+ 4 57600 900 _ 234600
+ 4 57600 600 _ 234600
+ 4 57600 400 _ 234600
+ 3 57600 600 20.9 172800 138413 80
+ 3 57600 900 21.2 172800 136455 78
+ 3 115200 600 21.7 345600 133311 38
+ 3 57600 400 22.5 172800 128571 74
+ 4 38400 900 25.2 153600 114795 74
+ 4 38400 600 26.4 153600 109577 71
+ 4 38400 400 27.3 153600 105965 68
+ 2 57600 900 29.1 115200 99410.3 86
+ 1 115200 900 30.7 115200 94229.3 81
+ 2 57600 600 30.2 115200 95789.4 83
+ 3 38400 900 30.3 115200 95473.3 82
+ 3 38400 600 31.2 115200 92719.2 80
+ 1 115200 600 31.3 115200 92423 80
+ 2 57600 400 32.3 115200 89561.6 77
+ 1 115200 400 32.8 115200 88196.3 76
+ 3 38400 400 33.5 115200 86353.4 74
+ 2 38400 900 43.7 76800 66197.7 86
+ 2 38400 600 44 76800 65746.4 85
+ 2 38400 400 47.2 76800 61289 79
+ 4 19200 900 50.8 76800 56945.7 74
+ 4 19200 400 53.2 76800 54376.7 70
+ 4 19200 600 53.7 76800 53870.4 70
+ 1 57600 900 54.6 57600 52982.4 91
+ 1 57600 600 56.2 57600 51474 89
+ 3 19200 900 60.5 57600 47815.5 83
+ 1 57600 400 60.2 57600 48053.8 83
+ 3 19200 600 62 57600 46658.7 81
+ 3 19200 400 64.7 57600 44711.6 77
+ 1 38400 900 79.4 38400 36433.8 94
+ 1 38400 600 82.4 38400 35107.3 91
+ 2 19200 900 84.4 38400 34275.4 89
+ 1 38400 400 86.8 38400 33327.6 86
+ 2 19200 600 87.6 38400 33023.3 85
+ 2 19200 400 91.2 38400 31719.7 82
+ 4 9600 900 94.7 38400 30547.4 79
+ 4 9600 400 106 38400 27290.9 71
+ 4 9600 600 110 38400 26298.5 68
+ 3 9600 900 118 28800 24515.6 85
+ 3 9600 600 120 28800 24107 83
+ 3 9600 400 131 28800 22082.7 76
+ 1 19200 900 155 19200 18663.5 97
+ 1 19200 600 161 19200 17968 93
+ 1 19200 400 170 19200 17016.7 88
+ 2 9600 600 176 19200 16436.6 85
+ 2 9600 900 180 19200 16071.3 83
+ 2 9600 400 181 19200 15982.5 83
+ 1 9600 900 305 9600 9484.72 98
+ 1 9600 600 314 9600 9212.87 95
+ 1 9600 400 332 9600 8713.37 90
+ ====== ======== === ======== ======= ======= ===
+
+5.2. Anthony Healy's Report
+---------------------------
+
+ ::
+
+ Date: Mon, 13 Feb 1995 16:17:29 +1100 (EST)
+ From: Antony Healey <ahealey@st.nepean.uws.edu.au>
+ To: Simon Janes <guru@ncm.com>
+ Subject: Re: Load Balancing
+
+ Hi Simon,
I've installed your patch and it works great. I have trialed
it over twin SL/IP lines, just over null modems, but I was
able to data at over 48Kb/s [ISDN link -Simon]. I managed a
transfer of up to 7.5 Kbyte/s on one go, but averaged around
6.4 Kbyte/s, which I think is pretty cool. :)
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projects / users / dwmw2 / linux.git / commitdiff