Is there a way to trace the "real" route of a packet if i am behind a VPN?

Question

I would like to find a way to have as response the real route, tracing a server, when I am behind a VPN.

For example the first hop tracing stackoverflow.com from my pc is my router. When I dial a VPN then the first hope is the vpn server.

My question is, if it is a way to find out (although i am behind the VPN) the "real" route of the package before reaching the VPN server.

Answer 1

The relevant question is whether you know the DNS name (something like vpn.foo.com) of the VPN server you're connected to?

If so, then you disconnect from the VPN and traceroute to that DNS name... that traceroute is the path your packets take before going into the VPN server. If you don't know the DNS name it is connecting to, then ask your IT people for that DNS name. Be sure to run the traceroutes from the same machine you are having problems on (in case they are DNS load-balancing... so DNS name resolution stands a better chance of being consistent)

I usually use mtr or ping plotter freeware to troubleshoot poor connections, but there are plenty of other tools for the job.