Tools and techniques for directing packets over disparate networks

Methods, configured storage media, and systems are provided for communications using two or more disparate networks (106, 500) in parallel to provide load balancing across network connections, greater reliability, and/or increased security. A controller (602) provides access to two or more disparate networks in parallel, through direct or indirect network interfaces (706). When one attached network fails, the failure is sensed by the controller and traffic is routed through one or more other disparate networks. When all attached disparate networks are operating, one controller preferably balances (910) the load between them.