In today's interconnected world, VPNs have become an integral part of remote work, allowing users to securely access their corporate networks from anywhere. However, with this convenience comes a common misconception - the tendency to blame the local Internet Service Provider (ISP) for perceived slowdowns in internet speed while using a VPN.
Picture this: a user based in South Africa connects to their corporate headquarters in Europe through a VPN, directing all internet traffic through the company's network. Suddenly, they notice slower-than-usual browsing speeds on local websites or experience buffering while streaming content from platforms like YouTube. Cue the frustration and the immediate deduction - "It's the local ISP's fault!"
But here's the kicker - it might not be the local ISP to blame at all. The crux of this issue often lies in the VPN setup, particularly the lack of understanding around split tunneling.
Split tunneling is the principle of allowing some traffic to be routed through the corporate network (for sensitive company-related data) while permitting other traffic to directly access the internet through the user's local connection. However, many corporate VPN setups don't employ split tunneling, forcing all traffic, including non-work-related browsing, through the company's network.
As a result, when users access the internet while connected to their corporate VPN, every bit of data - be it a work document or a YouTube video - takes the longer route through the corporate network and back, causing delays and slower browsing experiences. In this scenario, blaming the local ISP is a common misconception because the traffic isn't directly routed through the local network.
The solution lies in educating users about split tunneling and its impact on internet speeds. By configuring the VPN to employ split tunneling, only work-related traffic travels through the corporate network, while regular internet browsing utilizes the user's local connection, alleviating the strain on the company's network and enhancing the overall browsing experience.
So, before pointing fingers at your local ISP for sluggish internet speeds while using a VPN, consider the possibility that the culprit might be your corporate network's configuration. Understanding split tunneling can make a world of difference in optimizing your online experience!
Ronald Bartels ensures that Internet inhabiting things are connected reliably online at Fusion Broadband South Africa - the leading specialized SD-WAN provider in South Africa. 👉 Contact Fusion
