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Generic Router - PPTP


Here you can find setup information for your chosen VPN and also how to fix any problems you might encounter.

You can use the Table of Contents on the right hand side of this window to navigate between the different sections.


Introduction - please read


This guide aims to give you the required information to configure a PPTP VPN, on a variety of different types of router. You should check the manual/technical specifications of your router, to find out if it supports PPTP - some will support PPTP, but will NOT be able to redirect all traffic over the VPN (such VPNs are intended to access remote resources, such as in a remote office, but not redirect all traffic over the VPN).

We recommend that you have a dedicated VPN router, an additional router to your main broadband/ISP router. This will allow you to continue to have regular non-VPN internet (useful for accessing local sites, sites that you do not want to go over the VPN), then an additional VPN enabled wifi network - any devices you connect to your ISP router will use regular internet, any devices you connect to your VPN router will use the VPN.


VPN Install Guide

Step 1
Retrieve the Server Address for the VPN you want to connect to, i.e the location you want to appear to be in, you will need this later:




Step 2
Connect the blue WAN/Internet port, from your VPN router to your main broadband routers cabled ports (there are usually 4 grouped together) if you not already done.

Setup your new wireless network (this wireless network will provide VPN access, your main/ISP router will continue to provide non-VPN internet access) making sure to specify WPA/WPA2 encryption keys, so that it is NOT an open network (otherwise all your neighbours will be able to use your VPN).


Step 3
The below contains setting that will be required to configure a PPTP VPN, if you have other options not listed here please send us some screenshots of your router.

  • Username, your VPN username
  • Password, your VPN password
  • Server address, retrieved in Step 1 of this guide
  • MTU/MRU, 1400
  • Encryption/MPPE, enable (cannot be disabled) 128bit, or Automatic
  • DNS Servers, this is important to prevent leakage (bad), find the DNS server settings and configure to 8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4 usually in the WAN/Internet section.




Step 4
Once configured/settings applied, give the device a few minutes to connect the VPN, make sure your device(s) is connected to the VPN router wireless/wired ports, then open our tester page below to make sure you're successfully connected.

https://www.streamvia.tv/test.php



Other Information

Poor Performance

We ensure our servers are NEVER overloaded, so this is not the issue if you are receiving poor performance; please get this out of your mind now ;-)

Your network, your ISP and their network have as much an impact on the speed you will receive as we do. Some of you will be connecting to a VPN server half way around the world, so degradation along the way is inevitable.


Quick tips

  • Experiment with Location 1, Location 2 (Site 1, Site 2) etc connections
  • Experiment with Option 1 UDP vs Option 2 TCP connections
  • If Faster does not connect, or is slow, try changing the port.
  • Use a network cable not wireless/wi-fi, this can often make the biggest difference.
  • Reboot router/computer
  • Clear all browser cookies/history/cache
  • If you are a VPN All or VPN UK & USA member and are using StreamVia to access streaming TV/video, please try SmartStream instead.



Location 1, Location 2 (Site 1, Site 2) etc
Each different VPN Site is a separate VPN location, you should experiment to see which works best for you. There may be a massive difference, some difference or no difference for you in speed. But you should experiment to see ;)


Option 1 UDP vs Option 2 TCP connections
Please ensure you experiment with both, whilst Option 1 has the capability of being faster than Option 2 there are some cases when Option 2 can actually work out best for you.


Change Port
If your ISP rate limits certain ports (to try to disrupt the VPN) you can try adjusting the port number to see if you can get around this. Click to see how to change the port.


Browser cache/cookies
Always clear your browser cache/cookies/history after connecting VPN, you need to reset the browser for your change in location. Failure to do so can result in poor performance.


Wi-fi vs wired ethernet
Using a wired connection instead of wireless often has the biggest impact on speed. The best speed and reliability with always be seen when using a network cable rather than wireless, wireless networks cause latency which causes the speed to drop. If you are having speed issues, please try with a network cable rather than wireless.


Your broadband
Just because you have XYZ speed broadband, does not mean you should expect this speed over a VPN. All networks deteriorate in speed the further away you are, so whilst someone connecting in the UK or a country close by will be able to achieve close to maximum speed to a UK server, those in Australia will not.

Also, if you or someone else is heavily using the broadband connection (even if not over the VPN) then you will notice a performance drop. For best performance ensure others are not downloading/streaming on the same connection as you.


Reboot everything
Try restarting both your computer and your broadband router, sometimes this can work wonders!


Alternative DNS
For best performance - especially from China, UAE etc - we recommend that you configure alternative DNS servers on your computer, as some countries will filter DNS which can cause problems for your connection ie inability to connect at all, or unstable connections with frequent disconnects. You need to configure these on your wireless or ethernet adapter - ie the physical network interface you use to connect to your network - details are contained in the below links:




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