OVPN VPN Windows 10 route metrics
OVPN VPN Windows 10 route metrics
OVPN's route metrics feature on Windows 10 gives you more control over how your internet traffic flows when connected to the VPN. It's all about telling your computer the best "route" to take for different kinds of data, potentially improving speed and reliability for specific tasks.
Think of route metrics as road signs for your internet traffic. When you're connected to OVPN, all your data normally goes through the VPN tunnel. However, sometimes you might want certain traffic to bypass the VPN and go directly to the internet. Route metrics lets you define which traffic does what. The "metric" is a value assigned to each route; lower values are preferred. OVPN automatically manages this, but advanced settings are available if needed.
Why would you want some traffic to bypass the VPN? Here are a few common reasons:
Gaming: Some games might experience lag or connection issues when using a VPN. Bypassing the VPN for game traffic might improve performance (but isn't guaranteed).
Streaming: Some streaming services might block VPNs. Routing that traffic outside the VPN can resolve this, though it sacrifices the privacy benefits of using a VPN.
Local Network Access: Accessing devices on your home network (like a printer or NAS) can be simpler if that traffic isn't forced through the VPN.
Keep in mind that bypassing the VPN exposes that specific traffic to your ISP and any other potential eavesdroppers. Only bypass traffic you're comfortable with not being encrypted.
OVPN makes setting up custom routes fairly straightforward within the Windows app:
Open the OVPN app and go to the "Settings" menu.
Look for a section related to "Routing" or "Advanced Settings."
You'll typically find options to add specific IP addresses or domain names to a bypass list.
Enter the IP addresses or domain names you want to exclude from the VPN. Save your changes.
IP Addresses vs. Domain Names: You can usually specify either IP addresses (like 8.8.8.8 for Google's DNS) or domain names (like netflix.com). Using domain names is generally easier, as IP addresses can change.
Order Matters: The order of your routes might matter. Experiment to see what works best.
Privacy Implications: Remember that any traffic you bypass is not protected by the VPN. This includes your IP address and browsing activity for those specific services.
It's Not a Firewall: This feature is for routing, not security. It won't block unwanted traffic.