VPN latency clarification

SirDopey · January 2018

Can someone confirm for me how VPN connections actually affect in game latency?

I often play with a VPN on as it shaves about 100 ms from my ping (from low 300s without down to low 200's with it active on a 90 mbs connection in Qld Australia). However, I've been told in game that the latency number the game displays is lying because of the VPN and that my real ping is probably higher than if I didn't have the VPN on. The argument being that the latency figure is from the server to the VPN server and doesn't include the figure from my mac to the VPN server.

But, my understanding of how /latency works in ESO is that the reported number is how long it is taking for the client to receive a response from the server?

Can anyone confirm which line of thought is correct and whether or not I'm better off running the game with the VPN on or off??

SirAndy · January 2018

Just open a terminal window and ping the ZOS server yourself with and without VPN.
That will give you the network latency, which is the best case scenario.

Your actual in-game ping will always be higher than the network latency because you need to add the server computing time of its response on top of the network latency.

Network latency does not account for server lag, which unfortunately is ESOs biggest bottleneck.

Anyways, doing this yourself from a terminal window will give you exact numbers to compare VPN with no VPN latency.

SirAndy · January 2018

Also worth noting, a VPN will only be beneficial if it gives you a different *and* faster route to the ESO server(s) ...

Seri · January 2018

SirDopey wrote: »

Can someone confirm for me how VPN connections actually affect in game latency?

I often play with a VPN on as it shaves about 100 ms from my ping (from low 300s without down to low 200's with it active on a 90 mbs connection in Qld Australia). However, I've been told in game that the latency number the game displays is lying because of the VPN and that my real ping is probably higher than if I didn't have the VPN on. The argument being that the latency figure is from the server to the VPN server and doesn't include the figure from my mac to the VPN server.

But, my understanding of how /latency works in ESO is that the reported number is how long it is taking for the client to receive a response from the server?

Can anyone confirm which line of thought is correct and whether or not I'm better off running the game with the VPN on or off??

Does it feel better / less laggy on the VPN?

I'm also quoting my post from here since you say you're also an Aussie.

Seri wrote: »

The unfortunate problem is that for the majority of Aussies, ever since ZOS added Akamai protection, we're routed from NA via a HK Akamai node. Traffic from Aus to Asia is slow at the best of times so rather than the 200ms to the US West Coast we used to have months ago, we now get 200ms to HK, and then an additional few hundred from HK over to USA.

I've tested various ISPs, and anyone using Vocus, AAPT, TPG, Optus, etc, all get routed up there. Telstra Wholesale is the only backhaul I've seen that doesn't. Without VPNs I average 380ms, picking a US west-coast exit node (or using an ISP with Telstra backhaul), I get 260ms average ping. Obviously not everyone will benefit but definitely worth a try.

If you're with Telstra (or an ISP that uses Telstra Wholesale) I would not expect VPN to do noticable difference, but pretty much all the others will likely benefit. Running a traceroute to 198.20.198.110 (assuming you're on NA server) would confirm either way.

Vapirko · January 2018

I’ve noticed it helps to stabilize and avoid spikes, therefore over all lower ping and less laggy during heavier population fights in pvp. If you run a trace route and have a million hops to zos then a good vpn can redirect your traffic in the most efficient manner. Not all vpns are created equal or are specifically made for such a job.

SirDopey · January 2018

Seri wrote: »

SirDopey wrote: »

Can someone confirm for me how VPN connections actually affect in game latency?

I often play with a VPN on as it shaves about 100 ms from my ping (from low 300s without down to low 200's with it active on a 90 mbs connection in Qld Australia). However, I've been told in game that the latency number the game displays is lying because of the VPN and that my real ping is probably higher than if I didn't have the VPN on. The argument being that the latency figure is from the server to the VPN server and doesn't include the figure from my mac to the VPN server.

But, my understanding of how /latency works in ESO is that the reported number is how long it is taking for the client to receive a response from the server?

Can anyone confirm which line of thought is correct and whether or not I'm better off running the game with the VPN on or off??

Does it feel better / less laggy on the VPN?

I'm also quoting my post from here since you say you're also an Aussie.

Seri wrote: »

The unfortunate problem is that for the majority of Aussies, ever since ZOS added Akamai protection, we're routed from NA via a HK Akamai node. Traffic from Aus to Asia is slow at the best of times so rather than the 200ms to the US West Coast we used to have months ago, we now get 200ms to HK, and then an additional few hundred from HK over to USA.

I've tested various ISPs, and anyone using Vocus, AAPT, TPG, Optus, etc, all get routed up there. Telstra Wholesale is the only backhaul I've seen that doesn't. Without VPNs I average 380ms, picking a US west-coast exit node (or using an ISP with Telstra backhaul), I get 260ms average ping. Obviously not everyone will benefit but definitely worth a try.

If you're with Telstra (or an ISP that uses Telstra Wholesale) I would not expect VPN to do noticable difference, but pretty much all the others will likely benefit. Running a traceroute to 198.20.198.110 (assuming you're on NA server) would confirm either way.

I'm with my republic and I get routed to japan's Akamai mode. I've had multiple back and forwards with them because their trace route takes so much longer than telstra's or eftels. It's so *** stupid because out on my acreage property I have an adsl 1 connection with Eftel that gives me better latency than fibre to the house NBN where I live. *** me off no end

I do notice the difference with the VPN, it feels a lot smoother which is why I'm asking. I feel like VPN's help, but it could all be in my head

SirDopey · January 2018

SirAndy wrote: »

Just open a terminal window and ping the ZOS server yourself with and without VPN.
That will give you the network latency, which is the best case scenario.

Your actual in-game ping will always be higher than the network latency because you need to add the server computing time of its response on top of the network latency.

Network latency does not account for server lag, which unfortunately is ESOs biggest bottleneck.

Anyways, doing this yourself from a terminal window will give you exact numbers to compare VPN with no VPN latency.

I don't know why I hadn't thought of that. Lol, so simple, thank you....

SirDopey · January 2018

SirAndy wrote: »

Just open a terminal window and ping the ZOS server yourself with and without VPN.
That will give you the network latency, which is the best case scenario.

Your actual in-game ping will always be higher than the network latency because you need to add the server computing time of its response on top of the network latency.

Network latency does not account for server lag, which unfortunately is ESOs biggest bottleneck.

Anyways, doing this yourself from a terminal window will give you exact numbers to compare VPN with no VPN latency.

Using the IP: 198.20.198.110. Terminal ping with VPN was 203 and without 328. Surely ISP's routing is up the duff and in my case VPN is better?

Morgul667 · January 2018

VPN can help you, if it provides a better route than your normal one. It is not in your head

Seri · January 2018

SirDopey wrote: »

Seri wrote: »

SirDopey wrote: »

Can someone confirm for me how VPN connections actually affect in game latency?

I often play with a VPN on as it shaves about 100 ms from my ping (from low 300s without down to low 200's with it active on a 90 mbs connection in Qld Australia). However, I've been told in game that the latency number the game displays is lying because of the VPN and that my real ping is probably higher than if I didn't have the VPN on. The argument being that the latency figure is from the server to the VPN server and doesn't include the figure from my mac to the VPN server.

But, my understanding of how /latency works in ESO is that the reported number is how long it is taking for the client to receive a response from the server?

Can anyone confirm which line of thought is correct and whether or not I'm better off running the game with the VPN on or off??

Does it feel better / less laggy on the VPN?

I'm also quoting my post from here since you say you're also an Aussie.

Seri wrote: »

The unfortunate problem is that for the majority of Aussies, ever since ZOS added Akamai protection, we're routed from NA via a HK Akamai node. Traffic from Aus to Asia is slow at the best of times so rather than the 200ms to the US West Coast we used to have months ago, we now get 200ms to HK, and then an additional few hundred from HK over to USA.

I've tested various ISPs, and anyone using Vocus, AAPT, TPG, Optus, etc, all get routed up there. Telstra Wholesale is the only backhaul I've seen that doesn't. Without VPNs I average 380ms, picking a US west-coast exit node (or using an ISP with Telstra backhaul), I get 260ms average ping. Obviously not everyone will benefit but definitely worth a try.

If you're with Telstra (or an ISP that uses Telstra Wholesale) I would not expect VPN to do noticable difference, but pretty much all the others will likely benefit. Running a traceroute to 198.20.198.110 (assuming you're on NA server) would confirm either way.

I'm with my republic and I get routed to japan's Akamai mode. I've had multiple back and forwards with them because their trace route takes so much longer than telstra's or eftels. It's so *** stupid because out on my acreage property I have an adsl 1 connection with Eftel that gives me better latency than fibre to the house NBN where I live. *** me off no end

I do notice the difference with the VPN, it feels a lot smoother which is why I'm asking. I feel like VPN's help, but it could all be in my head

I feel your pain. If your VPN exit takes a more direct route, then it'll definitely be better latency. I asked ZOS a while ago and they said they couldn't do anything. Meanwhile us players having to individually ask our ISPs over here to get them to adjust routes could be painful and some (many?) would be very reluctant to bother doing anything.

MJallday · January 2018

SirDopey wrote: »

Can someone confirm for me how VPN connections actually affect in game latency?

I often play with a VPN on as it shaves about 100 ms from my ping (from low 300s without down to low 200's with it active on a 90 mbs connection in Qld Australia). However, I've been told in game that the latency number the game displays is lying because of the VPN and that my real ping is probably higher than if I didn't have the VPN on. The argument being that the latency figure is from the server to the VPN server and doesn't include the figure from my mac to the VPN server.

But, my understanding of how /latency works in ESO is that the reported number is how long it is taking for the client to receive a response from the server?

Can anyone confirm which line of thought is correct and whether or not I'm better off running the game with the VPN on or off??

the answer is "it depends"

it will depend on the source and destination locations, the local and non local internet speeds, the encyrption methodology used (this is often the killer) , the vpn type (hardware or software)

on secure vpns, we often see a 30% performance overhead and varying amounts of cpu usage (on both firewalls and servers) - but to test this in your scenariou youll literally have to do a before and after test.