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Openvpn client, Wifi vs Ethernet

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ajp2k14

Regular Contributor
I just noticed that my Openvpn client speeds on my Win10 laptop is at least 50% higher using cable instead of Wifi. Is it just me or is that normal, if so why? Packet size? Duplex? Speedtest over wifi without vpn maxes out my 300Mbps line.
 
aip2k14, Ethernet will always be faster and more secure than WiFi. We like to use it with iPads; once you get a good Ethernet connection on an iPad, you'll wonder why you ever bothered with WiFi. When visitors want access, they're puzzled when I point them to a comfy chair/sofa and hand them a cable to plug into their device. A few have said it's so inconvenient to plug in, (sure it is) but they don't complain after they experience Ethernet speed; fast is always good. This works for friends and family who aren't constantly running from room to room, but if you don't know your guests, you might think twice before giving them an unprotected Wi-Fi or wired access through your regular guest system. It's a conversation starter when they see an Ethernet cable dangling out of our iPad adapter. Try a simple test by setting up your laptop (correctly) to it's own router port and after you configure the router appropriately, the speed will astound you. Whether you plug in to a router port or through a high speed switch, it's been very nice for our set up and personal use. We use a VLAN switch to extend to other areas as needed, instead of increasing broadcast power, which is dialed back as much as possible so it doesn't leak out to neighbors.

Try your search-fu and you'll find many good articles and forums/posts regarding the speed and security Ethernet provides devices, instead of using Wi-Fi. It many not be 'mesh' but it works really well for us since we don't usually walk around typing on a device or laptop. This isn't pro/anti mesh or Wi-Fi reply, just describing alternatives. A whole generation have (missed) that Ethernet used to be the standard way to connect everything to the Internet not that long ago.

For our devices that do use wi-fi and aren't bandwidth hogs, it helps our Wi-Fi speed/bandwidth not to compete with TV devices. If you have a couple of wireless TVs in the house using Roku, Fire or Apple devices, look at the data rates when the devices are working concurrently; it's hard to judge how much of your bandwidth is being sucked up by a couple of WiFi TV units. When people complain about running a cable to a device, it may be that they really just don't know how to install or conceal cables. We have a rather extensive LAN/VLAN set up but the wires are bundled and quite tidy behind the furniture, or at drops through the floor or at a wall junction. When the complaint arises that Ethernet is too much work, those people can learn the process and then have nothing to complain about. Or, they could hire a pro to set up their routing, Ethernet and Wi-Fi configuration professionally, to help get them the best speed possible out of their system. For some pros (like our friends on the forum here), an installation like that is similar to taking lollipops from a baby.

Watch out, if you use 'free' WiFi at motels/hotels, bars, restaurants and no matter what your bank says, you can look up how many people have had their financial data sucked up when they pay for their nice dinner. Apple Pay is pretty safe good, but it's still fun to use US monopoly money, that you can still request at your local bank branch, even if the government hates it. Side note, Western Union's app for wiring moneyto around the world is now routed through our security agencies; pretty sure it always was, like all the rest, even though it's headquartered in old mehicho. It's convenient but many people you really don't want to know, will know whenever you send your kid money in Europe (or whereever there's an official WU outlet where the local government can monitor the transaction. Even if you've never run a stop sign, via slow 'n' go, anything with wiring any amount of money, or cashing a check is called a 'cash transaction' and under the creeping umbrella of you know who, the financial networks, banks and govt all say they do this to protect everyone from evil money laundering, etc. Just fire all of the drones in DC and drain the swamp, and pay the good IT whitehats to secure our internet. That's what no one ever thinks about when they play with money on their devices; even if the device is encrypted, when they follow your activities on your Wi-Fi devuce they connec twith you and know your life as you know it. Best advice if you use any out of house free Wi-Fi anywhere, besides 'don't', is to never connect to any free connection unless you router through your paid for, high-bandwidth, well-administered OpenVPN tunnel on your device, gong to the VPN then back to your home system, which you've of course secured to the nth degree. There are so many points where your data is compromised and harvested if you aren't vigilant.

Many political folks found the facts of life out the hard way, since many holes in the public 'free' Wi-Fi systems, the sleazy media-weasels are using the same tricks that geeks, crooks, hackers and private eye guys have used for ages. 'Boris and Doris' in the Urals might be watching Netflix along with you you while you're texting a love note, or the waiter in the back room manages to gain access to your phone while you're eating your steak or lobster. Those things are mild compared to the botnet hazards people are being exposed to. Think of all of those new, unknown friends you'll have that you never though would be interested in looking at/in your device, when you use Wi-Fi. At home if you plug it in, instead of broadcasting, using Ethernet also vexes any shady neighbors or war drivers. It's a never ending drama, to stay ahead of the other guys, but you do the best you can.

Daughter didn't know her in-home Wi-Fi was compromised and open to the world (just think about all those chats with Alexa you don' want anyone to know about). Then the cable company hit them with a demand letter to cease and desist their illegal downloading habits, the lightbulb lit up and they scrambled and cried for help..
They weren't the nefarious downloading criminals who had been trying to snatch the latest Hollywood crap that passes for a flick, but a few of those not so nice neighbors, weren't nice at all, some were convicted felons that no one knew about. Daughter had thought the installer had secured their system, but she hadn't gone into the router GUI to look, so it hadn't been secured. Daughter never thought their tablets and streaming were stuttering on the new fiber connection, because all of their bandwidth was being used by their condo complex, and a couple of sites overseas. They had to put a freeze on all of their accounts and get new cards. So much for the 'free Wi-Fi' they were unknowingly giving everyone. Dear old dad helped them get secured (without charge) and now I'm welcome to drop by more often for dinner (and to look at their system). The illicit activity was gone and now when they have guests, they play by the rules,(even have have actual face to face conversation but a couple of younger upstarts always go out into the parking lot, trying to latch-on and leech bandwidth from some other dummies unsecured wi-fi connection nearby. At least the word was out, and things were much different and safer for them.

What really upset them was the fact that some bozo in the eastern block of the northern hemisphere had installed a soft porn site on the machine, and that alone was enough to kill home Wi-Fi signal. It took a whole day to get cleaned up and locked down for them. Nice to feel appreciated. I didn't mean to stray too far from your post, and hope it helps you a bit. Cheers
 
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Thanks for the detailed feedback! I know ethernet is superior in every way except when you want to be mobile but I was curious why openvpn loses so much speed on wifi compared to cable when my wifi easily can handle my ISP speed without vpn.
 
Didn't mean to get sidetracked. There are lots of tips on this and other sites, but with Merlin's firmware and with scripts there are adjustments (sometimes) that can help. OpenVPN can lose up to half of the bandwidth in some cases, and others, more like 1/3; have seen it both ways. Keep looking for the answer for your particular connection. I didn't see which router you have or which ISP but you might ask your ISP. Some are more helpful than others but if you aren't using their equipment, it takes breaking through the tier systems to get to an IT person who may have the answer. Good luck.
 

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