Shubham Sawarkar
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Surfshark, a VPN provider, today introduced “Nexus,” a VPN-based SDN (software-defined networking) technology that allows you to connect to a whole network server and then route you to a specific location. The first function is called “IP rotator,” and it lets you enable an automatic IP change every 5 to 10 minutes without any connection interruptions. This option is available to all Surfshark VPN subscribers, new and old.
More features will be added this year and in 2023, according to Surfshark. Meanwhile, check out our discount article for 82% Off plus an extra 2 months free on Surfshark VPN’s 2-year package, which is about to expire soon.
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How exactly does Surfshark Nexus work?
That means that any customer using Surfshark services will now connect to the whole VPN provider‘s infrastructure rather than a set of servers that are physically isolated from the rest of their peers. The entire collection of servers is turned into a virtual pool of resources, which is specified by the software layer that has been used in SDN.
There are two major benefits to adopting that viewpoint. To begin with, it will improve the privacy of its users by allowing the user’s IP address to change and smooth disconnections and reconnections. Upgrades and updates will also be easy because users will no longer be disconnected.
Surfshark also offered the following infographic of Nexus to help you better understand how it works:
A VPN, in its most basic form, creates an encrypted tunnel between your device and a VPN server. You’re technically accessing the internet through the VPN server once you’ve connected, which changes your “visible” IP address. This tunnel is then used to enter (connect) and depart the internet, providing an extra degree of cyber security by masking your actual location by using a different IP address than your ISPs and encrypting your traffic.
However, there is a catch. Because you’re connecting to the server via a direct tunnel, you’re running across a few issues:
- The IP address you get remains the same. When connected to a VPN server, your real IP address is hidden, but your internet activity is still tied to a single IP address. If for whatever reason, someone collects that information, it increases your chances of being identified.
- VPN providers can’t do much for your VPN connection performance. A direct connection means that connecting internationally, and especially over long distances, worsens your connection speed and stability. Also, if you connect to an overloaded server, a VPN provider can’t do anything to unload it without disconnecting its users.
- Server outages, maintenance, or long-distance connections may disconnect you from your VPN. A direct connection makes you completely dependent on the VPN server’s state. If the connection cuts off for whatever reason, it may leave you unprotected and expose your data.
Connecting all of Surfshark’s servers to a single Nexus network will enable us to push out new features and benefits that will address some of the most prevalent consumer VPN issues:
- IP Rotator (feature) will solve the privacy concerns of having the same IP address when connected to a VPN for a long time. It will periodically change your IP address without disconnecting you from the VPN. You’ll be able to choose how you want your IP address to rotate – in a specific location, country, region, or even globally.
- IP Randomizer (feature) will hide your browsing patterns. When on, this feature will give your device a new IP address every time you visit a different website (or any other internet resource).
- Dynamic MultiHop (feature) will allow you to pick your own entry and exit VPN locations in any way you like. Want to connect through Austria to the US and then change it to Singapore? Go for it. They’ll be all part of the same network anyways.
- Better speeds. Nexus will allow us to connect you to the best performing (most of the time they’re the closest) entry servers and allow you to exit through any location you want. This will solve a lot of the international and local internet speed issues.
- Better connection. Optimizing connection, network performance, or carrying out maintenance will most times be done without disconnecting you from the VPN. So, you’ll experience more stable connections and will receive better protection from DNS and data packet leaks.
- Better VPN performance. A network of servers will allow us to route your traffic based on your traffic patterns like streaming, downloading, or browsing. This will improve your connection performance. Disclaimer: This DOES NOT mean that we track your activity. All we can see inside the network are traffic patterns.
So, what does a single VPN server network necessarily mean?
Instead of connecting directly to your chosen server, you’ll connect through the Nexus network.
In general, the fundamentals of a VPN will remain unchanged. You’ll still be able to do the following:
- Choose any of our server locations you want to connect to.
- Enter and exit the internet through the same server.
- Hide your IP and encrypt your traffic to stay secure.
Nexus will also be able to boost the speed of your VPN connection, as well as your privacy and security.
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