File Transfer Challenge: LAN vs. the Rest

To inform the discussion around working from home (WFH) or overseas requirements, as well as setting expectations as to what can be remotely worked on efficiently, we have conducted various file transfer tests over different types of connections.

Parameters

We used the LAN_Speed Test app to read and write files of various different sizes, over various connection types (Ethernet Cable vs. WiFi vs. remote OpenVPN) from and to a folder on a typical Synology file server.

The internet speed on the Synology file server side: ~910 Mbps up and down

INFO > We appreciate our tests only cover a subset of all possible scenarios and variables. However we believe that the below average results are a good starting point for further tests and disucssions.

Results

A. Office via Ethernet cable (BASELINE) – please note this is the fastest and most reliable connection @ 900+Mbps, with minimal latency and no packet loss;

B. Office via WiFi is 4.9 times slower

….the following WFH scenarios require a VPN connection – we used OpenVPN…

C. From home via Ethernet on a typical NBN HFC / FTTN connection (max. 100/20 Mbps) is 25.2 times slower

As reference if you were to use WiFi with no clear line of sight, and had the best NBN FTTP connection (e.g. with 100/40Mbps max. possible is 1Gbps but expensive) is 17.2 times slower

D. From various locations in Sydney, Australia via a mobile phone hotspot (e.g. Telstra 5G) is 992 times slower

E. International connections, can obviously vary extremely, e.g. the same test from an overseas location in the UK with a 100 Mbps internet connection are 194.5 times slower

Daniel

4 February 2025