Binder: A system to aggregate multiple internet gateways in community networks

We present a novel system termed Binder that seamlessly aggregates multiple geographically distributed I nternet gateways in community networks. The proxy based approach taken in Binder allows for applications on end-user devices to enjoy the benefits from gateway aggregation without requiring any modifications. Binder makes novel use of multi-path TCP (MPTCP), and additionally leverages OpenVPN tunneling and loose source routing (in a limited form that avoids security concerns) as part of an easily deployable implementation. B i nder supports flexible gateway aggregation without negative e• ects from packet reordering through its use of MPTCP and generalizes link aggregation mechanisms to handle distributed links. Our proof of concept evaluation of Binder using a real implementation over an emulation based lab testbed demonstrate its benefits in terms of bandwidth aggregation, load balancing and fault tolerance relative to common practice.