Optimizing MikroTik Router Performance For VPN Workloads
Recently, we came across some fascinating data that demonstrates the performance of three VPN protocols on a budget router. This comparison would be particularly helpful for those who want to use a VPN on their home network without investing too much money. Based on the data we have, we can tell you that using a VPN may slow down your internet speed. However, the extent of the slowdown varies depending on the protocol you use. Let’s dive into the details!
The VPN Protocols:
The data presents us with the performance of three VPN protocols: OpenVPN, WireGuard, and IKEv2. OpenVPN is a popular VPN protocol that has been around for a while. WireGuard, on the other hand, is a relatively new protocol that aims to offer better performance and security compared to other VPN protocols. IKEv2 is a newer protocol than OpenVPN, but slightly older than WireGuard. It is known for its stability and speed.
The Router:
The tests were conducted on a budget router that is suitable for home use. The router in question is the Tenda AC9, which costs around $50. It has a dual-core CPU and 128MB of RAM, making it a competent device to handle a VPN connection.
The Data:
The tests were conducted with the following parameters:
- The router was connected to a 100Mbps internet connection.
- The VPN server was located in Hong Kong, which is far from the testing location (the United States).
- Each protocol was tested three times.
- The results were obtained using the speedtest.net website.
The Results:
The following table shows the results of the tests:
| Protocol | Download Speed without VPN (Mbps) | Download Speed with VPN (Mbps) | Download Speed Reduction | Upload Speed without VPN (Mbps) | Upload Speed with VPN (Mbps) | Upload Speed Reduction |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| OpenVPN (UDP) | 96.47 | 49.12 | 49.02% | 107.53 | 47.56 | 55.76% |
| WireGuard | 97.36 | 85.63 | 11.85% | 102.03 | 84.36 | 17.35% |
| IKEv2 | 95.02 | 87.19 | 8.23% | 103.22 | 89.10 | 13.69% |
The Analysis:
Looking at the table above, there are several things that we can observe:
1. OpenVPN is the slowest protocol:
The data shows that OpenVPN (UDP) has the most significant reduction in download and upload speeds. OpenVPN (UDP) resulted in a 49.02% reduction in download speed and a 55.76% reduction in upload speed compared to the speed without VPN. For those who are using OpenVPN (UDP) for their home network, this reduction in speed might be significant and could hamper their internet experience.
2. WireGuard is the best performing protocol:
WireGuard, on the other hand, provides the best performance among the protocols tested. It resulted in an 11.85% reduction in download speed and a 17.35% reduction in upload speed compared to the speed without VPN. This result is not surprising, considering WireGuard is designed to be lightweight and faster than other VPN protocols.
3. IKEv2 provides a good balance between speed and stability:
Finally, we have IKEv2, which provides a good balance between speed and stability. It resulted in an 8.23% reduction in download speed and a 13.69% reduction in upload speed compared to the speed without VPN. This result is impressive, considering how IKEv2 is known for its stability and speed.
Conclusion:
Based on the data we have, WireGuard is the best performing protocol among the three protocols tested. It has the least reduction in speed when compared to the speed without VPN. On the other hand, OpenVPN (UDP) is the slowest protocol, providing significant reduction in speed while using VPN. Finally, we have IKEv2, which strikes a good balance between speed and stability.
If you’re looking for a VPN protocol to use on your home network, you should consider these results and choose accordingly. Each protocol has its pros and cons, and you should choose the one that best fits your needs. Happy browsing!
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