FTP over VPN = Slow?

[pes2013]

Hello

I'm tryring to transfer files using FTP over VPN (total 10kb) and the transfer takes over 60 seconds. Pinging the address takes 150ms, more or less.

Is this normal?

[Xoligy]

Depends on the interent speeds and the vpn speed. I uploaded a 200-300mb file to dropbox over my vpn in about 30mins maybe less i didnt take "much" notice of it

Edit: yes i know ftp and dropbox are differnet but like i said depends on net speed and ur vpn really.

[+BudMan MVC]

Well where is the site, and where is your vpn to -- to the site where the ftp server sites or some vpn on your connection to the internet.

While latency can have affect on your top speed, etc. 150 ms should not be that big an issue and should not be reason for 10kb taking 60 seconds.

Now here at work in Chicago area, internet connection is down in FL - my home box is back here in Chicago area.. I vpn into my home network over the proxy using openvpn and I see around 150ms to a box on my home network.

Ping statistics for 192.168.1.100:

Packets: Sent = 4, Received = 4, Lost = 0 (0% loss),

Approximate round trip times in milli-seconds:

Minimum = 142ms, Maximum = 173ms, Average = 152ms

So quick test of file

Response: 226 Transfer OK

Status: File transfer successful, transferred 30,315,672 bytes in 77 seconds

So 30MB in minute and 17 seconds. What are the connection speeds involved - what is the interface used to ftp. So web gui or actual ftp client, etc.

[pes2013]

Then I believe there is some kind of routing problem...

I'm using apache's commons net library to FTP in a Java program I made.

But like I mentioned there must be a routing problem; the VPN connections locations are less than 15 mins away and all standard ADSL.....

[+BudMan MVC]

if there was a routing problem - you wouldn't get there at ALL!

So you vpn to the site your trying to ftp too? Or again are you using some vpn service to the internet?

You do understand that vpn going to add latency to the connection as well! And again latency while can be a factor in speed of transfer should not be making that big of an issue..

In a program you made.. Well how long does it take when not over the vpn? Why don't you do your test with normal ftp server and ftp client, etc. How long does that take. I doubt your "connection" with 150ms latency is your problem.

[CPressland]

Is it possible that a limiter exists on the VPN Server? For example, on my VPN I limit traffic in and out to 300KB/s.

Best way to diagnose this would be to bring the VPN out of play and have the FTP Server forwarded directly to the Internet, if the speed is the same then the issue is with the FTP / Internet Connection; but it's it's faster the issue is with the VPN Tunnel.

[+BudMan MVC]

"on my VPN I limit traffic in and out to 300KB/s."

Very possible - that is one hell of a limiter to take is 10kb file over a minute ;)

But I agree with the test of doing the test without the tunnel to see if the vpn is what is slowing it down.

[_neutrino Veteran]

the basic nature of a VPN connection is going to slow down whatever traffic you send through it. especially if the VPN host has a slow upload speed.