nanog mailing list archives

Re: VPN over slow Internet connections


From: Blake Hudson <blake () ispn net>
Date: Fri, 22 Apr 2011 12:24:42 -0500


-------- Original Message  --------
Subject: VPN over slow Internet connections
From: Ben Whorwood <bw-ml () mube co uk>
To: nanog () nanog org
Date: Thursday, April 21, 2011 11:55:32 AM
Dear all,

Can anyone share any thoughts or experiences for VPN links running
over slow Internet connections, typically 2kB/s - 3kB/s (think 33.6k
modem)?

We are looking into utilising OpenVPN for out-of-office workers who
would be running mobile broadband in rural areas. Typical data across
the wire would be SQL queries for custom applications and not much else.

Some initial thoughts include...

  * How well would the connection handle certificate (>= 2048 bit key)
based authentication?
  * Is UDP or TCP better considering the speed and possibility of
packet loss (no figures to hand)?
  * Is VPN over this type of connection simply a bad idea?

Many thanks in advance.

Kind regards,
Ben Whorwood

I'm not sure what type of SQL you're using, but MySQL and MS SQL both
natively support (and can optionally require) SSL'd connections from
clients.

--Blake




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