IEPL
Dedicated Transport Links
IEPL generally refers to links that use dedicated Ethernet transport to connect different regions. In a subscription service, a dedicated link may cover part of the route between the entry point and an overseas access point; traffic still uses the relevant networks from the exit point to the destination website. An IEPL label does not mean the entire connection is on an exclusive network.
Dedicated transport can reduce uncertainty on some public-network segments. For tasks where a consistent connection matters, such as meetings, remote desktops, and ongoing transfers, consider routes marked IEPL in the panel. Test them during the hours you normally use your network to see whether they suit your needs.
Costs mainly involve dedicated transport, capacity planning, and access maintenance, making this setup more involved than relying solely on public networks. Higher costs do not mean every connection will be faster, nor do they imply that a plan includes dedicated resources not listed in its details.
RELAY
Forwarded Through an Access Point
A relay adds an access or forwarding point between your local connection and the destination exit. The client connects to an entry point first, then the service forwards traffic to the relevant exit. Entry and exit points may be in different locations, so a node name usually describes the exit rather than the complete route.
A well-planned relay can provide alternative routes for cross-border access, everyday browsing, work, and apps that require a specific region. But an extra forwarding step means the entry point, relay link, and exit can all affect performance. The relay label alone does not tell you whether a route is better.
Costs depend on entry resources, transport methods, forwarding capacity, and maintenance. Relays over public networks may have a different cost structure from those using dedicated transport. For users, the most useful comparison is which route consistently gets the job done on the same network and for the same use.
DIRECT
Direct Connection to the Destination Node
Direct usually means the client connects to the overseas node without an additional relay entry point on the service side. Traffic still passes through your local provider and internet routers; it is not a physically uninterrupted connection, nor does it mean all traffic travels through just one country.
When the public route from your local network to the destination region works well, direct connection is worth trying. Its setup is straightforward, making it easier to compare how different exit locations perform. However, public route changes, congestion, and differences in access networks can lead to different results for different users.
Direct connections usually avoid the procurement and operation of a dedicated relay, but nodes, networks, and maintenance still have costs. Direct does not automatically mean lower quality, and a shorter route label does not guarantee a better experience. Choose based on actual results, not the label.