Telecommunications

Connectify Dispatch combines multiple internet connections into high speed bandwidth

Connectify Dispatch combines multiple internet connections into high speed bandwidth
An example of an extreme setup that Dispatch can turn into some extreme bandwidth goodness (Image: Connectify)
An example of an extreme setup that Dispatch can turn into some extreme bandwidth goodness (Image: Connectify)
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The Dispatch software manages multiple network connections on the fly (Image: Connectify)
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The Dispatch software manages multiple network connections on the fly (Image: Connectify)
An example of an extreme setup that Dispatch can turn into some extreme bandwidth goodness (Image: Connectify)
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An example of an extreme setup that Dispatch can turn into some extreme bandwidth goodness (Image: Connectify)

Connectify, a company known for software that can turn your computer into a wireless hotspot, is at work on a new project called Dispatch that will turn all internet connections available to your device into one glorious (and hopefully faster and more stable) stream of high-speed bandwidth.

The project appears to take some of its cues from live video broadcasting companies like LiveU, which sells custom made backpacks wired up with 3G/4G and Wi-Fi transceivers. These backpacks then spread the traffic load over whatever available networks it can connect to in order to maximize bandwidth, which is obviously a major plus if you're streaming live video.

Dispatch, however, is planned as a software-only solution for the masses – no special backpack required. It will dynamically manage the traffic based on which networks provide the greatest bandwidth and have the clearest signal, which also means that even if one of the networks drops out entirely, you'll still have internet access on another network.

The number of simultaneous connections will depend entirely on what hardware you have on your system, but a user that has, say, a netbook with inbuilt Wi-Fi, tethered smartphone, Ethernet and an extra Wi-Fi or mobile data card for good measure (a reasonably common setup for many) will be able to have four connections going at once.

The Dispatch software manages multiple network connections on the fly (Image: Connectify)
The Dispatch software manages multiple network connections on the fly (Image: Connectify)

The plan to launch an API for Dispatch also sounds like a good move, allowing programmers to integrate the tech into their own applications.

Connectify has made a video that showcases an extreme-power setup using Dispatch (below), but we'll be interested to see how the software performs when it's actually out in the wild. We imagine the most likely use-case scenario for the majority of people will probably be a desktop machine with both an available Ethernet and Wi-Fi connection, which both end up connecting to the same router/access point. Will we actually see much of an improvement in these cases, or will the real performance improvements be seen when using entirely different networks (i.e. 3G/4G and Wi-Fi)?

Connectify says that Dispatch can potentially double or triple speeds in torrent applications like BitTorrent, but we'll just have to wait and see.

The Kickstarter page for the project has, at time of writing, raised about $30,000 of the $50,000 funding goal, with 15 days left to go.

The Connectify team puts Dispatch through its paces in the video below.

Source: Connectify via Dispatch on Kickstarter

Use Ten Internet Connections at Once with Connectify Dispatch!

3 comments
3 comments
Doc Rock
Aw, I so hope it works as advertised.. I (and my Dad) are moving into an RV park, to save finances..and although all the utilities are free, net access is supplied by WiFi.. I watch TV exclusively on the 'net, and me ol' Dad watches the Vatican live. Obviously, I have been worrying about data caps, but also download speeds, especially considering, that where I am currently, I still get stuttering video (on live newscasts. etc).. Anyone reading this article have actual experiences with either this tech, or WiFi data limits in general? THX from Doc...
pmshah
We have strange pricing system here in India. A 4 mbps service costs quite a bit more than 2 x 2 mbps service, although the ISP has to run a single cable in stead of 2 ! Only reason the ISPs get away with it is because it is rather difficult for majority of users to configure 2 network connections to co-exist.
So I have subscribed to 2 different services. With a lot of research on the net I have managed to connect to a wifi AND a wired ethernet to aggregate the bandwidth.
I too am looking forward to this kind of software come to fruition which would benefit me to the desired end without resorting to painful configuration problems or integrating / load balancing routers.
Atul Malhotra
What on earth would one do with 4mbps I wonder ?
Data limit free 2MBPS connection isnt cheap in India as well . But I have never felt the need for that either
I just used a wired 1.5GB per month limit 2MBPS connection from a govt company, with 6 hours at night of free data . Haven't felt lacking anythign ever. I have seen speeds of upto 350 KBPS peak and 2500 average during night downloading hours. And I am more than happy
And yes I pay only Rs 300 a month !