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Tips to improve a slow VPN connection

  • Updated

In this article, you will find tips to improve the data transfer speed over a VPN connection. Please note that if there is no significant improvement, it is recommended to restore the previous settings.

External factors

The most impactful external factors are both your own internet connection and the on-site internet connection. These may not always be within your control. However, if the StrideLinx router is connected to cellular or Wi-Fi, follow the tips below to improve the signal strength and stability.

  • Check the signal coverage at your location.
    • For cellular, check online or contact the provider about cellular coverage at your location.
    • For Wi-Fi, you can check this by opening your computer/phone. You should be able to find the Wi-Fi network and the signal strength if it's within range.
  • Make sure that the signal is able to reach the StrideLinx router:
    • If the StrideLinx router is placed within a cabinet, that will strongly reduce the strength of the signal. It is strongly advised to place the StrideLinx router's antenna outside of the cabinet.
    • The same applies in a lesser degree to obstacles, machines, or the construction of the hall itself that the StrideLinx router is located in. Reduce the obstacles and interference as much as possible. For cellular it may be beneficial to place the antenna as close to the outside world as possible: near a window or on the roof.
  • Use the right antenna.
    • A cellular antenna will have an SMA Male connector while a Wi-Fi antenna will have an RP-SMA Male connector. More information: How to choose the right antenna.
  • Connect the antenna to the correct SMA connector on the StrideLinx router.
    • The 4G/LTE model has 2 SMA connectors for a cellular antenna. The one closest to the power connector is the MAIN and the other connector is the DIV. Always connect an antenna to the MAIN.
    • The other StrideLinx router models have a self-explanatory inscription on the housing.
  • Connect an extra antenna to the DIV SMA connector to reduce signal interference. Make sure the antennas are at least 25 centimeters apart.
    • Only the 4G/LTE model has a DIV connector.
  • If the cellular or Wi-Fi signal is still unstable, consider changing to a wired connection.
    • The StrideLinx router's WAN configuration will need to be updated to use wired.

Choose a different VPN server

Changing to a different VPN server may improve the connection between your computer and the StrideLinx router.

By default, the StrideLinx router connects to the closest StrideLinx VPN server. However, this location may not always provide the best connection between your computer and the StrideLinx router. For example, if you are in The Netherlands and the StrideLinx router is in India, the geographically closest VPN server to the StrideLinx router is in Singapore. This means the connection from your computer to the StrideLinx router travels from The Netherlands > Singapore > India. So the network traffic is basically taking a detour via Singapore. A directer route would be from The Netherlands > Vienna > India. This directer route means a shorter distance to travel and thus generally a faster connection.

  1. Check which VPN server the StrideLinx router is currently connected to.
    • This information is available in the Cloud connection status component. For example, VPN server AM12 indicates the location Amsterdam.
    • An overview of our VPN server locations can be found on status.stridelinx.cloud.
  2. Using the world map on status.stridelinx.cloud, find a server location that is geographically located between your computer and the StrideLinx router.
  3. Change the location in the StrideLinx router settings to the new location.
    1. Go to Fleet Manager > Devices and click on your device name.
    2. Under General, edit the Location.
  4. To effectively make the StrideLinx router use the new location, make the StrideLinx router reconnect:
    1. In the left menu, go to Network > VPN.
    2. Under VPN setup, change the Server selection to Use device location.
    3. Under VPN access, switch the VPN connection off and back on.

Change the VPN connection type

Changing the connection type from the default TCP to UDP may improve the data transfer speed when the VPN connection is unstable or slow.

In unstable or slow connections a phenomenon may occur that is called a TCP meltdown, which effectively causes delays and problems with the transfer of data. To prevent this from happening, the connection type needs to be changed to UDP in both the StrideLinx router and VPN Client settings.

  1. Change the connection type to UDP in the StrideLinx router settings (instructions).
  2. To effectively make the StrideLinx router use the new setting, make the StrideLinx router reconnect:
    1. Go to Fleet Manager > Devices and click on your device name.
    2. In the left menu, go to Network > VPN.
    3. Under VPN access, switch the VPN connection off and back on.
  3. Change the connection type to UDP in the VPN Client settings (instructions).
    • Repeat this step for every user using the VPN connection.
  4. To effectively make the VPN Client use the new setting, reconnect your VPN connection:
    • If you already have a VPN connection active, disconnect it and then reconnect.

Upgrade your software

There is a known issue with slowness when using Rockwell Studio 5000. Upgrade your Rockwell Studio 5000 to version 34 or higher. For more information, see the article Slow connection in Rockwell Studio 5000 to Allen-Bradley devices.

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