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Forum Discussion
Orbi 970 Series VPN / Armor Plus
I have an Orbi 970 Series BE27000 (2 satellites) that was purchased in Feb 2025. I also have a Home Assistant installation controlling numerous IoT devices running on this wireless network. To date...
I have never been a fan of forums that are overly granular. Too many topics crossover more than 1 topic area. I had considered the Armor forum but there didn't seem to be much activity there and from what I had already seen, it looked like remote access may have to be done outside of Armor. So I wasn't really sure where best to start this inquiry.
Supposedly, the following is a method that could be used. However, I was hoping there would be someone who had actually used this setup or another alternative for remote access when using Armor Plus, especially for access a home automation system like Home Assistant.
Setting up the Orbi 970 for remote access (OpenVPN)
- Enable the VPN service: Log in to your Orbi's admin interface at orbilogin.com and go to Advanced > Advanced Setup > VPN Service.
- Enable service: Check the Enable VPN Service box and click APPLY.
- Download configuration: Click the For Windows button to download the OpenVPN configuration files.
- Install OpenVPN: Download and install the OpenVPN software on the remote device you'll be using.
- Copy configuration files: Unzip the downloaded configuration files and copy them to the C:\Program Files\OpenVPN\config\ folder on your Windows computer.
- Change adapter name: If you're using Windows, rename the "TAP-Windows Adapter" to "NETGEAR-VPN" to ensure the tunnel connects successfully.
Accessing your network using the Armor Plus VPN (on the go)
- Download the Armor app: Install the NETGEAR Armor app on your mobile device or computer.
- Log in and connect: Open the app and log in with your NETGEAR account. The Armor Plus VPN subscription is unlimited and will protect your device on any network.
- Use the app for security: This will not only provide protection on public Wi-Fi but will also allow you to use features like ad-blocking and anti-tracking.
Key distinction
- Orbi's OpenVPN server: Use this to create a remote access tunnel to your home network.
- Armor Plus VPN: Use this on your device (laptop, phone) to encrypt your connection to the internet when you are away from home.
I have never been a fan of forums that are overly granular. Too many topics crossover more than 1 topic area.
I agree that can be a problem.
I have asked whether the Armor VPN package is only client software, or whether it also runs on the router. I haven't heard back yet. But I suspect that it is only client software that needs to be installed on every device connected to your network. If so, it wouldn't provide the feature you want.
I think there is a gap here, and that Netgear should consider adding VPN client options to their routers. Hopefully not limited to Armor. That said, I use VPN selectively myself, and not for all devices. The privacy you get with a VPN is limited, and it will reduce your internet speed - especially if you are paying for multigig speeds from your ISP.
Check compatibility: Verify if your specific Netgear 970 model (e.g., RBRE970) is listed on the DD-WRT or Tomato compatibility lists.
Sounds like an AI summary. The 970 isn't on either compatibility list (no Orbi routers are listed for either firmware).
