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At work we have a Windows 2008 Server-based network with over 60 computers. We are planning to set up a Windows 2008 VPN server shortly to provide remote access, and I am wondering what kind of performance loss should we be expecting.

The internal network is 1Gbps and the uplink to the Internet is a 100Mbps line, so our users are used to a high-performance network. Browsing shared folders and opening large files within the internal network is often instantaneous. I am aware that we won't be able to obtain this kind of bandwidth through the VPN, and that, in any case, the VPN user experience will depend largely on what's on their side and, especially, between them and our VPN server.

Still, I would value answers to two particular questions:

  • What kind of performance loss should we expect?
  • How can we mitigate the performance loss? Is the VPN server hardware really important?

Thanks.

2 Answers 2

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You'll probably implement SSTP which on a purely overhead basis, has a 3.9% overhead (I can't find where I got that from it's the number stuck in my head) however that's per connection as SSL negotiations can add additional overhead. Connecting is also slower than PPTP or L2TP. If at all possible I would consider looking at directaccess, which was introduced in 2008 R2. Take a look at Next Generation Remote Access with DirectAccess and VPNs

As far as hardware goes it really depends on the number of simutaneous connection attempts. Please read that carefully. It's not the number of connected users per se but connection attempts. Each SSL negotiation uses up CPU time so you'll want to monitor that.

I you should also investigate and see if any of the remote worker technologies would help with the user experience (eg offline files/folders, sharepoint workspaces etc.)

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  • Thanks, Jim. Yes, we are planning to implement SSTP, but also L2TP for some Windows XP clients which are still around. I will definitely look at DirectAccess and the other stuff that you mention.
    – CesarGon
    Jan 19, 2011 at 1:52
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For opening large files, you will have to consider the bandwidth on the user's side as well as the latency and possibly pocket loss... The greater the latency the slower will be the download of the data.

Since most of the folder sharing will be using TCP, the latency will greatly affect how fast those large file will open.

For example on 100Mbsp link, 10GB file will download in about 15 minutes with 0ms latency, the same file will take over 2.5 hrs to download with 50ms latency.

If you are planning to share a lot of large files over the VPN, consider using accelerated UDP based file transfer software that is immune to latency such as FileCatalyst.

Full Disclosure: This user is an employee of FileCatalyst.

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