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Terribly slow download speed on fios when using Cisco VPN
zapart
Enthusiast - Level 2
‎04-05-2009 08:13 PM

I'm new to FIOS, but very familiar with IT. Here's the situation:

Problem: download speed when using cisco vpn client on FIOS (coax, actiontec router) is markedly reduced (~300kbs). Upload speed remains reasonable (1.6Mbs). My vpn client stable (i.e., I never saw this problem using same client on verizon dsl). Without vpn, download speed is as advertised, 10Mbs. 

Question: how can I resolve this dysfunctionally slow download (only) speed for vpn on fios?  

Thanks for any constructive suggestions! 

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Re: Terribly slow download speed on fios when using Cisco VPN
zapart
Enthusiast - Level 2
‎04-09-2009 08:28 PM

Problem Solved.....but not by the solutions proposed to date.

I called Verizon, convinced them to switch my coax-only (MOCA) service to enable Ethernet (Cat 5) via the ONT. I got this insight by visiting the Verizon FIOS wiki (http://www.verizonfioswiki.com/index.php/Using_Your_Own_Router), which explains this solution nicely, if a little loose on a few steps. 

Verizon tech support agreed to come out, but the technician was dubious about the solution. In fact, he was not aware of it. He became reasonably convinced by the wiki document (ref'd above), which I printed out and showed him as he arrived. Given that the vpn speed was the driver for my switch to FIOS, he agreed to give it a try.

Bottom line: he activated Cat-5 on ONT, ran that Cat-5 cable to the existing Actiontec Router, and voila!, vpn speed issue completely resolved. That is: I can now get ~10Mbs download, and 1.6Mbs upload with Cisco vpn. Fully admitted: I do not have the technical details available to explain how this solution works, but it's clear that on the Actiontec router, the handling of internet data via Cat-5 is considerably more robust than when that same data is handled exclusively over the coax circuitry.

Current (working) configuration is:

Internet: ONT --> Cat 5 --> Actiontec --> my own Airport router (wireless) 

TV:   ONT --> coax --> Actiontec --> set top box/ TV

Thanks for your suggestions everyone. I hope this posting helps anyone else with the same or similar problems.  

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Re: Terribly slow download speed on fios when using Cisco VPN
prisaz
Legend
‎04-06-2009 07:33 AM

Don't know. I have had issues with in the past when you are connected with the VPN to another network, that network may become your internet source. So downloads from the internet would depend on the speed on your VPN server's connection to the internet. If you think this may be what is happening, do a tracert to the download source to see how you are hitting that source, and if it is going though the other network. If it is, you are at the mercy of the other network.

Try the network address change and see if it helps. If it does not you can always put it back.

Only other recomendation would be to try the Ethernet from the ONT to your router. This would require an Ethernet cable from your ONT to the router in addition to the COAX. Also a call to have Verizon switch the ports on the ONT. I like the Ethernet option because it leaves my options open.

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Re: Terribly slow download speed on fios when using Cisco VPN
TimSykes
Specialist - Level 2
‎04-06-2009 08:16 AM
@prisaz wrote:

Don't know. I have had issues with in the past when you are connected with the VPN to another network, that network may become your internet source. So downloads from the internet would depend on the speed on your VPN server's connection to the internet. If you think this may be what is happening, do a tracert to the download source to see how you are hitting that source, and if it is going though the other network. If it is, you are at the mercy of the other network.

Try the network address change and see if it helps. If it does not you can always put it back.

Only other recomendation would be to try the Ethernet from the ONT to your router. This would require an Ethernet cable from your ONT to the router in addition to the COAX. Also a call to have Verizon switch the ports on the ONT. I like the Ethernet option because it leaves my options open.

That is correct. The way the VPN works is it uses the corporate network to filter everything, even web traffic. That is why if your companies uses a proxy server you also must use a proxy when on a VPN. So basically when you send out a request it goes

PC --> fios --> your companies servers --> your companies ISP --> servers of what you are requesting --> back to companies ISP/network?Servers --> back to Fios --> back to you. 

So depending on the speeds of everyone involved you can get low speeds. 99 out of 100 corporate networks will not get the speed of fios, or anywhere close it. 

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Re: Terribly slow download speed on fios when using Cisco VPN
zapart
Enthusiast - Level 2
‎04-07-2009 05:57 AM

Thanks for your suggestions, but here is some important comparison information:

I previously connected via Verizon DSL and connection speed (in particular, the currently troubling slow download speed) was much faster on DSL. All other system components (vpn client, PC/OS, corporate network & its servers) have all been stable. Only change was my switch to FIOS internet. Occam's razor suggests problem must lie with FIOS connection.

There was a suggestion that I enable ethernet from ONT. Could you take a moment to explain steps I'd follow to pursue that suggestion?

Many, many thanks! 

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Re: Terribly slow download speed on fios when using Cisco VPN
zapart
Enthusiast - Level 2
‎04-07-2009 05:59 AM

Could you explain the address change solution and how I might pursue it?

I'm reasonably familiar with IT and I do software engineering.

Thanks! 

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Re: Terribly slow download speed on fios when using Cisco VPN
TimSykes
Specialist - Level 2
‎04-07-2009 06:09 AM
Changing from coax to cat5 will not change anything, you will get the same speeds. Go to www.speedtest.net try it without VPN and with VPN, if Fios speeds are correct, but VPN is not then you have your answer. I personally don't have issues with Cisco VPN, no I don't get fios speeds, but I get the same speed I get when I am in the office. But I can tell you when I am on a PC without fios, like at work it always seems to go very slow. So that maybe what you are running into. DSL is slower then fios, so it would appear that your VPN was faster, but now that you are on fios, you can see the difference between your home network and you VPN.
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Re: Terribly slow download speed on fios when using Cisco VPN
zapart
Enthusiast - Level 2
‎04-07-2009 06:50 AM

Tim,

Thanks. I have tried comparison of speed with and without vpn (10Mbs vs 300kbs download). My question is: how do I activate the cat5 alternative? Who can I speak to to flesh out the details of this (or is there a url that spells this out)?

Thanks! 

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Re: Terribly slow download speed on fios when using Cisco VPN
TimSykes
Specialist - Level 2
‎04-07-2009 07:08 AM
you would need a truck roll to do this. It is not something you are able to do. You would need to setup a service call with verizon support.
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Re: Terribly slow download speed on fios when using Cisco VPN
zapart
Enthusiast - Level 2
‎04-07-2009 07:53 AM

Tim,

Thanks again. I spoke with Verizon service and they also mentioned that the router I have (Actiontec) has a buffer that is likely too small to handle IPSec/UDP, which is the protocol used for my Cisco vpn client. Do you have any comment on the router as possible source of the mysterious trouble (I say mysterious trouble because only the download speed is affected. Upload speed with vpn is just fine).

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Re: Terribly slow download speed on fios when using Cisco VPN
TimSykes
Specialist - Level 2
‎04-07-2009 08:07 AM
 Sorry I don't have any issues with VPN. But if they say its IPSec or UDP settings, you can always put your laptop/PC that you connect to the VPN with on the DMZ so the router settings are not effecting the VPN. And if it works fine, then you know its a router issue. If you still have the issue, and your laptop is in the DMZ then it has nothing to do with it. Make sure you give your laptop a static IP before you put it in the DMZ.
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