Hello everyone, I'm Ethan. Recently, a friend told me she spent 1,200 yuan to purchase a dedicated IP node, intending to use it for TikTok live streaming. Besides her, I often receive similar questions like which airport is stable, should I use airport nodes or self-built nodes, and do I need a dedicated line? If you've joined some TikTok groups, you might get confused by various professional terms like static IP, native IP, airport, Merlin router, software router, and live streaming dedicated line.
In this video, I will thoroughly explain the underlying principles of setting up a VPN and TikTok operation environment, so you no longer have to worry about unscrupulous service providers targeting your wallet. Today's content may be a bit challenging, giving you a university flashback, but watching this video should clear over 95% of your doubts about TikTok operation environment setup, allowing you to fearlessly start your TikTok e-commerce venture.
First, let's discuss why many people following tutorials to set up their TikTok network operation environment may find their TikTok still showing a black screen, no traffic after posting a video, or a sudden drop in traffic even after a period of operation. After ruling out content and phone settings, the major probability is an issue with your network IP node. Simulating overseas internet environments often relies on proxy servers to disguise our IP as that of the target country. Hence, a secure and stable online route and IP node are crucial. The frequently mentioned "airport" is where service providers establish online routes and nodes using overseas servers, sharing them with consumers through package or traffic-based billing methods.
Since we share some small airports, network congestion or instability is inevitable. Regarding TikTok operation, sharing an IP with an account detected as not a genuine overseas user or posting replicated content may affect others using the same IP node. After purchasing an airport node, it's essential to check if our IP is static or native. A static IP means a fixed address that doesn't change, and we can periodically verify our IP. What is a native IP? It refers to an IP where the registration address matches the server location.
To establish a stable TikTok online environment, having a fixed and native IP, closely resembling a genuine overseas online environment, is crucial. That's why we use tools like ipip.net to detect if the IP address is genuinely in the respective country. Additionally, you can visit bgp.he.net and search by AS number to view the country/region where the operator is located. If these match with the server address, it's a native IP.
So, what is a software router frequently mentioned? Essentially, methods to simulate overseas online environments can be broadly categorized into four types: software-based VPN, router-based VPN, software router-based VPN, and gateway mode VPN. Most individuals typically use software-based VPN, configuring their online nodes using apps like Shadowrocket or Clash to manage the device's online traffic. In the OSI model's application layer, various encryption protocols transfer traffic overseas. Engineering students can revisit their university textbooks, especially portions related to computer networking.
The drawback of software-based VPN is its lack of high-level permissions, only being able to proxy application-layer network traffic. If some applications run at the system level and do not adhere to the operating system's proxy rules, software to manage traffic through the VPN may fail. On the other hand, router-based VPN, known as hardware VPN, is quite famous, particularly with routers equipped with Merlin firmware. It acts as the final link to the internet in the local network, independently managing all network traffic, ensuring comprehensive proxying.
Router-based VPN refers to deploying VPN software on the router, enabling all connected devices to access the VPN. Unlike software-based VPN, this method has a significant advantage in extending VPN to devices unable to install VPN software, like Apple TV or Xbox. However, router CPU performance is generally limited, making it struggle with mandatory encryption and decryption operations, potentially leading to network lags.
Now, what is a software router? It differs from common commercially available routers by being highly performant post modifications. A software router acts like a small computer, capable of installing an operating system. Similar to router-based VPN, it can help all home network devices access VPN, beyond proxying only application-layer traffic. While it offers superior performance compared to regular routers, it comes with a higher price tag, complex setup, and potentially challenging maintenance tasks like node changes or component upgrades.
Gateway mode VPN does not necessitate a dedicated device but rather uses software on a computer to emulate router functions, resembling a softer version of a software router. Well-known examples include Clash for Windows or Surge for MacOS. This mode can manage all devices within the local network to access VPN, ensuring proper traffic routing even for noncompliant applications, and providing convenient operation efficiency for tasks like node switching or debugging, as it operates directly on the computer's software, offering higher CPU performance compared to routers on the market. This method is personally recommended.
Reflecting on the steps of setting up online nodes, selecting the online route is vital alongside renting overseas servers. While most situations involve opting for public network routes like cn2 or pccw, there's another category known as internal network routes, like iplc and iepl, akin to a genuine physical network connection. iplc establishes a LAN through the OSI model's physical layer, while ipl connects points through the data link layer. The primary distinction between these internal and public network routes is the exemption of internal routes from GFW censorship, escaping multiple hops experienced by public network routes and ensuring network stability.
Internal network routes are commonly employed by large multinational corporations, such as major banks and financial institutions, seeking stability, low latency, and bypassing GFW scrutiny. Similar needs arise for TikTok live streaming, necessitating high stability, low latency, and avoiding GFW oversight. Consequently, some service providers offer these internal network lines repackaged as TikTok-dedicated live stream lines. The main drawback of such internal network routes is their high cost, as ordinary individuals don't have qualifications akin to multinational companies to directly procure lines from telecom companies but purchase them through multiple downstream distributors.
When selecting internal network lines or specialized line services, it's advisable to choose reputable service providers, potentially offering cost-effective solutions facilitating direct purchase of lines from telecom companies through secondary distributors, avoiding exploitation by multiple downstream dealers. The key significance of internal network lines lies in bypassing scrutiny during outbound traffic, ensuring stability, reliability, and low latency without concerns about potential encryption protocol failures. However, even with top-notch internal network lines, if the local or neighborhood network traffic faces high delays during exit to the internal network line due to over-reselling of the line by numerous distributors, the quality may still be compromised.
Currently, an ordinary internal network line may cost several hundred yuan per month. After grasping the video's content, you should have a deeper understanding of the underlying principles and methods of setting up a TikTok operation environment. Subsequently, whether selecting a VPN method to simulate overseas online environments, you'll be aided, avoiding deception by unscrupulous service providers or getting lost amid professional terms. If you enjoyed this video, don't forget to like it, allowing the YouTube algorithm to recognize its value and reach more viewers. For any further questions, feel free to leave a comment under this video. Until next time, bye-bye.
Q: What are the underlying principles of setting up VPN and TikTok operation environment?
A: The article discusses the importance of stable network IP nodes in setting up a TikTok operation environment, the difference between shared IP nodes from a service provider and self-built nodes, the need for a secure and stable online route and IP node, and explanations on terms such as static IP, native IP, airport, Merlin router, software router, and live streaming dedicated line.
Q: Why do network IP node issues cause trouble in TikTok operations?
A: This section explains why even after following tutorials to set up a TikTok network operation environment, users might encounter issues such as black screens, low traffic, or sudden drops in traffic, which can often be traced back to problems with network IP nodes. It also discusses the concept of shared IP nodes and the importance of a secure and stable online route and IP node.
Q: What are the challenges and choices between airport nodes and self-built nodes?
A: The article elaborates on the issues that arise when using shared IP nodes, such as network congestion and instability. It also touches on the importance of testing whether your IP is static or native, and explains the differences between the two types of IPs.
Q: What is the significance of self-built nodes in terms of security, stability, and technical challenges?
A: In this section, the focus is on the importance of having a stable TikTok online environment with a fixed and native IP address to closely mimic a real overseas online environment. It also mentions tools like ipip.net to test the IP address authenticity.
Q: What is the concept and discussion surrounding software routers in the context of VPN technology?
A: The article explores different methods to simulate overseas online environments, including software-based VPNs, hardware-based VPNs like routers installed with Merlin firmware, and the technical aspects related to routing.
Q: What are the pros and cons of hardware-based VPNs compared to software-based VPNs?
A: This section compares the advantages of hardware-based VPNs, such as the ability to force complete network traffic through VPN, with the limitations of software-based solutions that might not have the necessary system-level permissions.
Q: What are the performance and selection considerations for software routers in VPN setups?
A: The article discusses how software routers can be deployed to facilitate VPN access for all devices connected to the router, highlighting the benefits of using this method for devices that cannot install VPN software directly.
Q: What are the performance and selection considerations for software routers in VPN setups?
A: The article discusses how software routers can be deployed to facilitate VPN access for all devices connected to the router, highlighting the benefits of using this method for devices that cannot install VPN software directly.
Q: What is the concept of gateway mode VPN and the selection of internal network routes?
A: The concept of using a computer running VPN software to act as a gateway router, providing VPN access to all devices in the network, ensures that all traffic is routed through the VPN, avoiding issues with non-compliant traffic.
Q: What are the values and differences between internal network dedicated lines and TikTok live streaming dedicated lines?
A: The section discusses the differences between public internet routes like cn2 and pccw, and internal network routes like iplc and iepl, emphasizing the stability and reliability of internal network routes for activities like live streaming on TikTok.
Q: What are the recommendations for choosing internal network dedicated lines and specialized line services?
A: The article recommends opting for reputable service providers when selecting internal network lines or specialized line services, as they may offer more direct and cost-effective solutions compared to resellers.
Q: What are the advantages and recommendations for internal network dedicated lines?
A: This section focuses on the advantages of internal network lines in terms of traffic stability, low latency, and evasion of the Great Firewall, although it warns about the potential issues with resold lines.
Q: What in-depth insights and suggestions are provided for setting up TikTok environments and VPN method recommendations?
A: This final section wraps up the discussion on setting up TikTok environments, delving deeper into the underlying principles and methods, offering insights on VPN methods, and ensuring viewers are equipped to navigate various VPN solutions available in the market.
