topic VPN Disconnecting in Broadband

VPN Disconnecting

dekretser — Tue, 06 Feb 2024 13:43:45 GMT

I work from home few days a week and use work VPN to connect to our servers. AT least dozen times a day I get randomly disconnected from the VPN "your broadband connection is unstable". I've had work IT looked into it who have repalced the laptop and confim all settings are fine. When the laptop is hardwired this does not happen. Also the speeds showing on the Sky checker are higher than compared to the speeds on the worklaptop connected to the same router. Any help please? Thanks

Re: VPN Disconnecting

jamesn123 — Tue, 06 Feb 2024 14:01:11 GMT

Hi @dekretser

The fact you say it disconnects over WiFi but not ethernet almost fully confirms the problem is WiFi interference.

Can you please post your router stats

Re: VPN Disconnecting

dekretser — Tue, 06 Feb 2024 14:03:34 GMT

Re: VPN Disconnecting

jamesn123 — Tue, 06 Feb 2024 14:13:09 GMT

Hi @dekretser

Your line is in perfect condition as are the WiFi radios on your hub. Your problem is likely down to WiFi interference from neighbouring WiFi or appliances. There is a number of things you can do to resolve this issue such as changing the hubs WiFi channel, forcing your laptop to use the less congested 5ghz band or purchasing a 3rd party WiFi solution.

Re: VPN Disconnecting

dekretser — Tue, 06 Feb 2024 14:16:24 GMT

thank you. Really appreciate it.

how do i force the laptop to use the less congested 5ghz band ?

Re: VPN Disconnecting

jamesn123 — Tue, 06 Feb 2024 14:22:13 GMT

@dekretser

In Windows go to Settings > Network & Internet > Advanced Network settings > Drop down the WiFi option > More adapter options > Configure > Advanced > Preferred band > Change value to 'Prefer 5ghz band'

Re: VPN Disconnecting

Eeeps — Tue, 06 Feb 2024 18:10:32 GMT

@jamesn123 wrote:
@dekretser
In Windows go to Settings > Network & Internet > Advanced Network settings > Drop down the WiFi option > More adapter options > Configure > Advanced > Preferred band > Change value to 'Prefer 5ghz band'

... unless your IT department have not given you access to that configuration dialog.

Re: VPN Disconnecting

dekretser — Tue, 06 Feb 2024 18:12:15 GMT

They made the change under admin rights but it doesn't seems to make a difference. Going to try a booster.

Re: VPN Disconnecting

Eeeps — Tue, 06 Feb 2024 19:26:38 GMT

@dekretser wrote:
They made the change under admin rights but it doesn't seems to make a difference. Going to try a booster.

If it's only a problem with a works laptop and VPN via a wifi connection then a booster might work for a fixed location.

I'm a great believer in 'doing it right' and implementing a 'fit and forget' solution.

For me I have the main wifi router and two hardwired wireless access points.

I'm lucky to live in a small detached property allowing Ethernet cables to be run externally.

I use 'routers' for the AP points in AP mode giving me four additional Ethernet connections at each of those locations.

It does take a long weekend to fit but once done you'll never look back.

This is the cheap solution, good wireless AP routers for <£50 each.

You can also go down the easier Mesh wifi solution that will set you back £150+ for a simple solution.

These can use wifi without the need for an Ethernet cable but with a drop in speed / latency.

If you can't use Ethernet to connect to your laptop, the you really want to use the 5GHz wifi band.

It's has much more bandwidth meaning it (can be) less congested than the 2.4GHz band.

(I say 'can be' because many routers (Sky's HUBs included) can only use the lower frequency channels - 36 to 48)