Make udp/tcp and port more automatic
It is a nice feature in the desktop client to choose between udp/tcp and the ports. I find that differing public wifi needs different selections.
I propose an automatic determination of successful settings by trying all of the common settings and pick the first one that establishes a connection. Saving the result to a file based on SSID would speed up further connections.
Right now I am starting a list of wifi locations and what settings a need. A feature like this would make the client more useable.
Comments
This is actually something the app already does by polling servers for latencies; it does so over the different remote ports available. If it's not doing so for you, please email [email protected] to get a ticket started so we can investigate and thank you for being our customer!
I have no wireless devices at all, but I would think the very first thing you should try is UDP with port 1194 and if that fails try TCP 443. If both fail then it is a crap shoot. Asking the network administrator may help, but may public networks do not have a public administrator to talk to.
*Edit* Spelling corrected.
1. You go to a place with public Internet access. You are connected at once.
2. You attempt to connect to PIA. It for example tries TCP 8080.
3. The network knows this is a port commonly used for proxies and VPNs, so it allows it initially.
4. After enough time has been allowed to pass, the public network decided to forbid that connection and any from your MAC address that would use TCP 8080.
5. Your system knows this was working, so it does not understand why it is not working now, and as such cannot correct it.
6. You disconnect from PIA and try another connection with a different protocol and port. Say UDP on port 1194.
7. The public network already has your MAC address recorded and will do exactly the same for any protocol and port you use. It is a cold hearted bitch of a network, but this is a measure to prevent abuse, so it does not care that you were locked out.
You may ask why the network would do that? The answer is simple. The price of "Free" is often much higher than it would be if you paid for it. Public networks usually collect information for sale. (Not all, but many do.)
And as more and more places adopt such Draconian policies, the value of Public Networks will become nothing at all unless you simply do not care that they are selling you out behind your back.
Even if your employer provides the network, they may object to the use of a VPN, and the protocol and port are certainly not the only ways to determine if you are using a VPN.
No employer keeps employees that do not in turn earn the company money. And information is money and power. Just something to keep in mind.
The longer you remain connected, the more obvious it becomes regardless of settings that you are using a VPN.