I'm probably asking too much here, or asking a question with far too many variables to even begin to sort out using Q&A on the interwebs. I want to create a VPN so that I can have direct access to my HE hub from anywhere. I bought a Linksys WRT3200ACM which has Open VPN pre-installed. I think that I have set up the router correctly and created an .opvn file to allow access from my Mac, but it is not working. Are there tutorials that are written for non-tech savvy VPN- router-IT types like me? I am also reaching out locally to find someone that can straighten this out for me since they would likely get it working in no time and I see a big old sea of mire ahead for me. Two questions for you all: I have this router behind my Motorola Cable Gateway (Cable modem, router, wi-fi), should I place the Motorola in bridge mode and run it that way? Do I need to set up DNS? If yes to DNS then is it installed on the Linksys or does it run somewhere else? Thank you for reading!
Short answer is yes, unless you want to use your Motorola as a router, you want to have it in bridge mode. That means that your lynksys will be the only router on your network. Do you have devices connected to the wifi of your modem?
There's actually a really good tutorial by linksys.
https://www.linksys.com/us/support-article?articleNum=157327
I have started using the Linksys as my wi-fi router exclusively. I will set it to bridge mode and read the tutorial. Thanks!
Remember, that you want to set up OpenVpn on your router as a server, not as a client.
Using OpenVPN as a client means that your internet packets go out (and come back) from the openvpn servers of NordVPN, PureVPN, or whoever you have contracted with.
Using OpenVPN as a server on your router means that while you are using the wifi at Starbucks, you are using the OpenVPN protocol to get into your home router, and access the particular device (HE), as if you were local to it.
(I know, it's somewhat confusing.)
You probably mean dynamic DNS? If so, then the answer is, most likely. If the WAN IP provided by your ISP is static, then you don’t need dynamic DNS. But most consumer internet accounts don’t come with a static IP, so if your WAN IP ever changes, your VPN client won’t be able to find the VPN server running on your router. You’ll have to check your router’s admin page or user manual to determine if it offers a built-in dynamic DNS function. My ASUS router does, for example.
If the router has a VPN function I would be VERY surprised if it didn't have a dynamic dns updater as well. I use no-ip.com . It's free, you just have to log in every 14 days when you get an email to confirm you still use it. It's 2 clicks right from the email. Not a big deal. But you can pay for it if you want too.
I have managed to set up no-ip and the router and Tunnelblick, It connects but it's not quite right yet. Gotta give up for today, too many hours. Is Tunnelblick what you all use?
Never heard of it. I run an OpenVPN server on my home router. My home router also keeps my Dynamic DNS provider updated. On my phone, tablet, and laptop I run the OpenVPN client software.
Did you follow the Linksys guide that @Ryan780 posted earlier? https://www.linksys.com/us/support-article?articleNum=157327
This is the client software I use on MS Windows
On iOS I use the "OpenVPN Connect" App.
I believe tunnelblick is a Mac version of openvpn client software. I setup an openvpn server for my wife’s office once, so they could login remotely from home. One co-worker has a mac and tunnelblick worked just fine.
Edit: +1 for ASUS routers, which I know from other threads @ogiewon uses too. VPN server, built-in dynamic DNS service, and other cool stuff too.
There is an option to share client in the setting. The default is usually off for most server. Have a look at that.
