Field Test: Setting Up Split Tunnels Over Satellite for Real-World Use
Making a VPN work efficiently with Starlink and other satellite connections without causing slowdowns requires a tailored approach. Satellite internet is no longer merely a backup option.
Low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellite services can provide fiber-like responsiveness with latencies often in the tens of milliseconds, while traditional geostationary (GEO) satellite links typically have latencies around 600 ms. This large difference in latency impacts how a VPN should be designed.
Optimizing VPN with Split Tunneling
Split tunneling helps by directing sensitive or geo-restricted traffic through the VPN, while allowing all other traffic to access the internet directly. This approach ensures security where it matters without the delay caused by routing all data through the VPN server.
“You want security where it counts, without forcing all traffic through a long round trip.”
Security Considerations
Regulators and government guidelines often advise against or prohibit split tunneling because it can create security vulnerabilities if not set up properly. To use it safely, strong endpoint protection and strict whitelists are essential.
“Regulators and government baselines often discourage or forbid split tunneling because it can create blind spots and backdoors if misconfigured. If you enable it, compensate with strong endpoint protection and strict whitelists.”
Summary
Split tunneling enables efficient VPN use over satellite by balancing security and performance, but requires careful configuration to prevent security risks.
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