VPN over slow Internet connections

Fri Apr 22 17:24:42 UTC 2011

-------- Original Message  --------
Subject: VPN over slow Internet connections
From: Ben Whorwood <bw-ml at mube.co.uk>
To: nanog at 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