I am a deployed soldier in Iraq and about 21 soldiers are networked sharing the internet. There times when the internet is working well and then sometimes multiple users cannot get a connection or the internet slows down so severly that we cannot bring up web pages. The worst thing about this is that some soldiers cannot communicate with their families or loved ones because it losses its ability to stay connected. I do not have a wealth of knowledge on how this works, so if there is anyone out there that has advice on how to get the network up and running so that those that cannot be home can keep in touch with those that are. Just remember you might have to dumb it down a little, I can fix and make helicopters fly, but I have no idea what the best setup would be. I know that we are currently running 21 users on a switch (dont think it manages bandwidth), its a satallite link, and I dont know what type of modem its on. Thanks

The main problem is likely that you have a satellite link to the internet. The best, most reliable solution is always a hard wired solution (ie: DSL/cable). With a satellite your bandwidth isn't that good and you have major latency issues. One thing that may cause issues is the number of users online at the same time. The more people you have sharing that one connection at a time, the more competition you have for bandwidth usage and the slower it gets for everybody. You may find you have to limit the number of users at one time so that you don't overload your connection and bring everybody to a grinding halt. Another thing that may be making it worse is if anybody is sending/receiving a large file. File uploads/downloads suck up a lot of bandwidth. It occurs to me you're likely also using video all the time. This will suck up bandwidth too more so than just typing in a chat window. I think it's likely you're going to have to limit the number of users connected at one time. Just start with a few people connected and keep adding one at a time until it starts to bog down the internet connection and then back off a couple of people and then you'll know what the maximum is your circuit can handle without overloading it. In all fairness, I would ask people to limit their chat time to something realistic that will allow everybody a chance to visit with family/friends or possibly schedule peoples time. I know it sucks but without another internet connection to spread the load over, that may be all you can do to keep communication flowing smoothly. Just for the record, you folks over there have my utmost respect for doing the job you're doing for those of us safe and sound back here at home. My hat is off to you and I wish there was more I could do to help you.

I really appreciate the information you have given me and also the time taken to do it. So as far as I can tell, I will just have to tell them what you told me, however, it is just about impossible to control how many of them get online, how long they stay(I will not tell a soldier he needs to cut his time short with his wife so some other soldier can watch a movie or download files), or what they do with their time. I just wanted to see if there is a way to get a network setup with good equipment and at least try to optimize what we have out here. It is not cheap to have he net out here, not that I am complaining because the last few times I have been here I was writing letters on MRE boxes taking anywhere from 1 to 2 months to get a response. I am greatful for the technology that has evolved allowing us to have such a luxery today. With everything that is out there, is there absolutely no way to setup a network that is a bit more effecient, maybe a switch that manages the amount of bandwidth to each user? Thanks for the help

I am sure it's has to do with the encryption as well, that would also have allot do with it, it takes allot of CPU s cycles encrypt it and un-encrypt too, I am sure your passing thought many many differanet filters before you allowed to enter the Internet, like content filering..

maybe a switch that manages the amount of bandwidth to each user? You may be able to find software out there to do this....or possibly a SOHO router. It's worth looking into as that may very well help things out.

I think it's a filering issues, it's the US Goverment, I am sure everything is check before it's allowed onto the Internet, web packets are small, it's does not use allot of thought-put to surf the Internet, I really think , it's filering plus checking issues, which takes time to check the contents of the requests..before it leaves onto the public internet..