Can I merge 2 internet connections?

[Beavis]

Currently I have internet through cable but I was thinking about also getting SBC yahoo dsl. I'm brainstorming but could use some guidance. The problem is sometimes my roommate will be downloading and it slows down my internet while I'm playing a game online. Also, I was thinking about runnning a game server on the server so people can join. I have the computers in my sig and also my roommate has a computer. Can I somehow combine the 2 connections so if one becomes taxed the other connection will help out? Also, if one goes down due to an outage than the other connection takes over. I have an extra wireless router I could use also if needed. I do have Windows Server 2003 x64 Enterprise on the server and it has 3 network cards although I don't see anything in Windows that looks like it can perform that function. I'm new to Windows Server.

[su root]

You really can't combine two internet connections, unless both connections go to the same ISP, and you have the support of your ISP. Even then it's tricky.

The best that can be done is load-balancing (connection round-robining) the two lines, but that adds a whole bunch of problems like asynchronous routing.

Your best bet is to just have your roommate get his own internet connection.

[jajmon]

Another possible option is to put up a smoothwall and employ one of these mods to control traffic,,,,,,

Traffic Shaping
-[2.0] Quality of Service v.1.0
-Outbound Bandwidth limiting
-Load Balancing
-[2.0] Traffic Shaping
-Add traffic control status to Advanced Status page (for Traffic Shaping)

http://community.smoothwall.org/forum/viewtopic.php?t=2873

[four4875]

i dont think traffic shaping would be too effective in this situation, unless he just wants to cut the roommate's bandwidth all the time. i would just let the roommate get the dsl, or if the cable company will let you, get a second cable modem and everything.