Re: [gentoo-user] About to have fiber internet and need VPN info

[Michael]

On Saturday, 16 July 2022 18:17:35 BST Dale wrote:
> Mark Knecht wrote:
> > On Sat, Jul 16, 2022 at 3:57 AM Dale <rdalek1967@×××××.com
> > <mailto:rdalek1967@×××××.com>> wrote:
> >
> > <SNIP>
> >
> > > Also, the package I'm getting is 500Mbs/sec.  What speeds should I
> > > really expect?  If memory serves me right, that is about 50MBs/sec, note
> > > the size of the B.  By the way, that is about 50 times faster than what
> > > I have now.  Also, up and down is the same.  Current up stream is a lot
> > > smaller.  Basically, I can upload files as fast as I download them.  Now
> > > I can upload videos or something.
> >
> > You will almost certainly get your 500Mb pretty much right away - or
> > within a day or two. I get 475Mb on my comcast cable connection
> > but it's rate limited at the other end. They sell and upgrade which
> > I don't need. At these speeds it's more about bytes/month than
> > bytes/second so make sure you know how much data you can move
> > without incurring any extra charges.
> >
> > As for upload I'm limited at about 13Mb/S. I can upload lots of
> > data to a Google drive for backups but I have to do it slowly
> >
> > - Mark
>
> If I understand this correctly, they are stating bits but most data
> speeds are commonly in bytes.  I read once where one should divide by 8
> or 9 to get the true speed in common use.  Internet folks use the larger
> number because it makes it look bigger.  If I'm correct, and allowing a
> little for overhead, I'll see about 50MBs/sec in common use terms.  In
> other words, using none salesman terms.

1 byte = 8 bits

https://www.gbmb.org/mbps-to-mbs


> From what they state, there is no limits.  I may be a bit of a heavy
> user at first but at some point, hard drive space will slow me down.
> I'm a collector of videos and other documents.  If I download it, I tend
> to keep it unless it is really of no use.  I've got videos on appliance
> repairs, tractor, tree management and just interesting stuff that I
> refer back to.  It's a lot.  Organizing it is also fun.
>
> I'm hoping to get it pretty soon.  It's getting really close to me.
>
> Dale
>
> :-)  :-)

Regarding VPNs and SOCKS proxy servers, a VPN works at layer 2 or 3 of the OSI 
model while a SOCKS proxy uses layer 5.

Simply, with VPN you tunnel all your connections to the Interwebs via a remote 
VPN server which acts as a router (full tunnel mode); or you tunnel some 
connections via the remote tunnel and some via your local ISP as usual (split 
tunnel).

With a SOCKS proxy you need to use an application which has a SOCKS client 
capability, or you can 'socksify' it with a separate piece of software, e.g. 
privoxy.

As has already been commented, unless you control both ends of a VPN tunnel, 
you should not assume privacy or anonymity despite marketing claims.