Slow VPN Speeds After ISP Bandwidth Upgrade
Today I switched my ISP package from speeds of 80/15 to 360/30. I received a new modem to accommodate this.
Speed tests with the VPN off are an excellent 378/31--slightly better than advertised. It's when I activate the PIA VPN that things get interesting.
Initially, with the VPN activated, I will get speed tests of approximately 365/29--an excellent result. As soon as I try to torrent anything, however, the torrent speeds are very slow (about 4-5 MB/s, which is half what I used to get on my 80/15 package), and any speed test I run subsequent to the torrent attempt will cap out at around 82/25. In fact, my download speeds for any service I try are then throttled throttled.
At first I thought this had something specific to do with torrents; however, if I simply use the connection with the VPN activated (browsing, email, whatever), given the passing of a few minutes, my speeds will once again be throttled down to 82/25. I only get the full speeds on the first and maybe the second speed test I try.
I contacted my ISP, and they swear up and down that no throttling on ANY service exists for any reason.
Also, note that the behaviour above occurs whether I am using my pfSense firewall with an OpenVPN client connection, OR if I am directly connected with one computer to my modem (bypassing pfSense) and using the PIA client tool directly. There is no difference, and the behaviour is 100% reproducible and consistent.
Any ideas?
Thanks.
Speed tests with the VPN off are an excellent 378/31--slightly better than advertised. It's when I activate the PIA VPN that things get interesting.
Initially, with the VPN activated, I will get speed tests of approximately 365/29--an excellent result. As soon as I try to torrent anything, however, the torrent speeds are very slow (about 4-5 MB/s, which is half what I used to get on my 80/15 package), and any speed test I run subsequent to the torrent attempt will cap out at around 82/25. In fact, my download speeds for any service I try are then throttled throttled.
At first I thought this had something specific to do with torrents; however, if I simply use the connection with the VPN activated (browsing, email, whatever), given the passing of a few minutes, my speeds will once again be throttled down to 82/25. I only get the full speeds on the first and maybe the second speed test I try.
I contacted my ISP, and they swear up and down that no throttling on ANY service exists for any reason.
Also, note that the behaviour above occurs whether I am using my pfSense firewall with an OpenVPN client connection, OR if I am directly connected with one computer to my modem (bypassing pfSense) and using the PIA client tool directly. There is no difference, and the behaviour is 100% reproducible and consistent.
Any ideas?
Thanks.
Comments
Do your testing again and check to make sure you are testing to the same server location. That will be a good metric to work against.
The issue is 100% reproducible. For the first minute or so that the VPN is active, I will get expected speeds of approx. 365/29. But use the connection for a couple of minutes in any way, and speeds are throttled across the board to approx. 82/25.
I really don't know what to make of this...
TCP
Default
Auto
AES-128 (GCM)
GCM
RSA-248
DHCP
Use Small Packets - NO
Try Alternate Settings YES
I believe these to be the default settings. Probably the bare minimum.
Not a PIA guy but just like to help. Also, you should search this site for setting for your torrent settings, Some people have had issues and resolved them by changing a few parameters. Your other option is to open a trouble ticket.
The issue isn't just with torrents. using a torrent app acts as a trigger, but all services are impacted by the issue, unfortunately.
Thanks for the suggestions.