A couple of newbie questions

[toxicfrog]

Hi,

Following a search on the internet for a VPN solution, I decided to build my own server using a Raspberry Pi with OVPN. Its been some time since I dabbled with computers but with a bit of perseverance I got it working. I use the OpenVPN client on my iPhone and Tunnelblick on the Mac. I have a couple of questions, which I am hoping someone can answer with experience.

Firstly, the server allows 2+ concurrent connections. From my code (which I followed from several Tutorials as well as a book) I was of the understanding that the OVPN key I made as well as when coding the server, would only allow one connection at any one time? I can however connect my Mac and iPhone at the same time. Why is this? I do understand you may need to see my code etc to answer, but maybe someone has experience and a quick answer.

Secondly, and this really baffles me - when I stream a movie (through one of the online services), through OVPN on iOS, the data is not logged in the traffic counter in the OVPN client. So, to set the scene, I streamed a 1.5GB movie through OVPN on iOS - it worked perfectly, however when I looked at the traffic counter in OVPN client on the iPhone, it had only received 31MB. Why is this?

Thirdly, and this may be related to the above - I currently have an open issue with my ISP about the upload speed at home - it always hovers around the 1MB/s mark. Which is rubbish. However, when streaming the above movie, in HD, it did not buffer once. When I do a speed check through the VPN it shows speeds of 0.7-0.9MB/s - concurrent with my poor upload speed at the server end (home) - and yet it streams an HD movie without issue.

May I am missing something fundamental in the operation of a VPN - I am new and keen to learn.

I hope someone can help!

Thanks in advance.

[Traffic]

the server allows 2+ concurrent connections

OpenVPN is a server one-to-many client application. There are numerous ways to make it only function as 1 to 1 but generally the requirement is for one server and many clients.

I do understand you may need to see my code etc

If you need help then please post your configs and logs.

Sorry, I cannot help with your data counter and as for speed .. it sounds like you have a good internet connection !
I would just say: Make absolutely sure you are streaming the movie over the VPN.

[toxicfrog]

Thank you for the response.

Understood about the single server many clients - just wanted to understand really why it was working with several clients when everything I thought I was making was just for a single client - it doesn't really matter, just for my own knowledge.

The movie is definitely streaming over the VPN - I was abroad...I am sure I don't need to elaborate...!

I'll be back with logs and config tomorrow.