OpenVPN bandwidth from software client is twice the speed of Router

[jambazz]

I've been comparing the speeds of my Windows OpenVPN client to my routers OpenVPN client.
If I connect with just a windows VPN client, the speeds are twice the speed than if I connect from the OpenVPN client in my RT-AC66U router w. Merlin-wrt 378.55. Is that totally normal? I have the following settings setup on the router:

It is of course the same VPN server I connect in both cases.
I just need the openVPN client to mask my IP so I can watch US Netflix on my TV..

 

[sfx2000]

That sounds about right - OpenVPN is running on the ARM core (single threaded at that) with much less memory that the CPU/RAM on your desktop - if your desktop is new enough, a lot of the heavy lifting of OpenVPN (the crypto) is HW accelerated...

 

[john9527]

He's running an AC66U, so single core MIPS.....even less than using an ARM core....

For just location masking, you would be better trying with Encryption set to None, Compression Off if your VPN provider supports it, or looking up some of the free proxy servers for changing your location.

 

[kvic]

VPN is a convenient way to overcome geo-lock. Unfortunately not an efficient way.

I would also try AES-128-CBC (no blowfish!) if your provider insists on some form of encryption.

 

[jambazz]

Thanks for the replies guys, I will test some of your suggestions. I had no idea that the Asus unit might be bottlenecking cus of low specs compared to my laptop. Wow.

By the by, can someone explain what the options "Create NAT on tunnel" and "Redirect Internet Traffic" are good for? Cus I have them set to on, but Im not sure this is sweet.

 

[jambazz]

So I couldnt change compression or encryption or the connection to my VPN provider wouldnt allow.
I am content with the speed however, because I changed to L2TP and the speed increased from 5MB/sec to 22MB/Sec across the atlantic, and my naked speed is 27MB/sec to my local ISP, so it seems L2TP is super fast compared to OpenVPN on the AC66.

 

[cosmoxl]

So I couldnt change compression or encryption or the connection to my VPN provider wouldnt allow.
I am content with the speed however, because I changed to L2TP and the speed increased from 5MB/sec to 22MB/Sec across the atlantic, and my naked speed is 27MB/sec to my local ISP, so it seems L2TP is super fast compared to OpenVPN on the AC66.

pretty sure the asus firmware doesn't do L2TP properly. nowhere does it ask for the shared secret. therefore, it's not doing the IPsec encryption, only the L2TP authentication. your data ISN'T encrypted.

 

[wayner]

I just need the openVPN client to mask my IP so I can watch US Netflix on my TV..

I use Unblockus to do this as it doesn't require a VPN - you just change your DNS setting. There are other similar services as well - Unotelly is another. IMHO these are better than using a VPN since they don't require much (if any) overhead - but the service you want to use must be on the whitelist - not an issue for Netflix but it may be for some more esoteric things.

 

[My_dogs_White]

I use Unblockus to do this as it doesn't require a VPN - you just change your DNS setting. There are other similar services as well - Unotelly is another. IMHO these are better than using a VPN since they don't require much (if any) overhead - but the service you want to use must be on the whitelist - not an issue for Netflix but it may be for some more esoteric things.

I would second this. I use unblock us and it works perfect. Netflix (USA), Hulu, HBO NOW, Showtime, Disney XD, NHL Gamecentre Live, CNN GO, Fox Now, FX Now and more all work with unblock us.

I pay $5.00 a month and feel it's worth it as I don't see any drop in speeds I would definitely get if I used a VPN.

 

[wayner]

And you can also pick the Netflix region that you want - US, Canada, UK, etc. Sometimes a movie you want to see is not available in the US but it is in one of these other countries.