PATH REFERENCE
IEPL, relay and direct routes
Route names describe how a connection is structured, not how well it performs. Choose based on your destination, app requirements and actual results—not just the technical term.
IEPL
IEPL generally refers to an international Ethernet private line. In a route, this type of link can carry traffic between regions along a more controlled path. The private-line segment should be distinguished from the final exit: an IEPL label in a client does not mean the entire connection to a destination uses the same type of link, nor does it mean the route’s resources are dedicated to one user.
For ongoing work, longer streaming sessions or tasks that need a persistent connection, compare how these routes perform in practice. Check for repeated reconnections, whether tasks finish successfully and whether performance is consistent at the same time of day. Evening performance can still depend on your local network, access link and the destination platform. Route type alone is no substitute for testing.
Private lines generally require ongoing investment in link capacity, but the service’s overall cost also depends on access, exit and resource configuration. VPNRB plans are priced by data allowance. This page does not infer a route surcharge from the IEPL label or treat the technical name as a performance guarantee.
HK · IEPL / SG · IEPL
Relay
A relay route adds a forwarding node between your connection and the final exit, linking different networks along the way. It addresses how traffic reaches the exit; it does not change the destination service’s account requirements. The relay node and final exit may be in different regions. To determine your access region, check the actual exit and how the destination platform identifies it.
If a direct route to your intended exit performs poorly, a relay route is another option to compare. Use the same tasks—everyday browsing, remote collaboration or visiting international sites—to test different routes. An extra forwarding hop is not necessarily slower or faster. The quality of each network connection and current conditions matter, so the number of hops alone is not enough to judge performance.
Costs reflect forwarding resources, cross-region transmission and exit capacity. A relay route is not inherently cheaper, nor does it automatically support streaming. First confirm the exit region matches your needs, then check page loading, session stability and file transfers. Don’t treat the forwarding method as a label for platform support.
US · Relay / AU · Relay
Direct
Direct usually means the client connects to the selected entry or exit without an additional relay within the same service. “Direct” describes the route architecture; internet traffic still travels through carrier routing and network interconnections. It does not necessarily mean the shortest physical path, or that it will work best on every local network.
Direct routes are worth comparing for everyday websites, research and simpler troubleshooting. If a connection fails, check the client rules, local access and destination website separately rather than assuming the route type is the cause. If another route in the same region performs differently, the comparison may help identify whether a particular network segment is involved.
Direct routes generally use fewer forwarding resources, but cross-region transmission and exit capacity still have costs; the route type alone does not determine the price. Performance in distant regions can also vary with public internet routing. Judge usability with real tasks: check whether pages load fully, apps connect as expected and sessions stay active—not just whether the client says connected.
JP · Direct / DE · Direct