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Forum Discussion

Rikerrock's avatar
Rikerrock
Tutor
Jun 01, 2023

Remote Administration: Can't seem to get it to work even though I've enabled it

Have a 850 unit with some satelites and I've enabled the remote administration (I want to be able to use my browswer to configure port forwarding and the app on my IPhone wont do that) and I've added...
Rikerrock's avatar
Rikerrock
Tutor
Jun 01, 2023

Most recent firmware is installed.

I'd like to be able to login to the gui from my work and manage the orbi router from there via web browswer.  I thought that was what the remote administation page and settings are used for.

Am I wrong?

Is there a way to do this?

Thanks

CrimpOn's avatar
CrimpOn
Guru - Experienced User
Jun 01, 2023

I am one of the customers who was seriously annoyed when Netgear decided to remove Remote Management from the Orbi series in favor of Anywhere Access which provides only the most basic forms of control (and has constantly suffered from 'problems').  There is a method to access the web administration remotely, but it is not trivial to enable.

 

Enable OpenVPN on the router.  This is a multi-step process:

  • Ensure that the Orbi is not "behind" another router. OpenVPN is one of the applications affected by what is known as a "Double NAT" (https://kb.netgear.com/30186/What-is-Double-NAT and similar articles on the internet.)
  • Navigate to the Advanced Tab, Advanced Settings and create a Dynamic Domain Name Server (DDNS) for the router.  Netgear supports three DDNS services (their own, no-ip.com, and dyn.com)  Be aware that some "free" DDNS services require that they be used or they disappear.  I chose to pay no-ip.com a yearly fee to avoid the problem.
  • Enable VPN Service.  (this requires that DDNS is enabled.)
  • Download the configuration files for the devices you wish to use. (I use them all: Windows, smartphone, nonwindows [which they call MacOS, but really means Linux])
  • Open and print copies of the instructions for each.
  • On the desired device, follow their instructions to download and install OpenVPN software.  I loaded OpenVPN on my smartphone and a Windows laptop.
  • Test that it works while you are still at home.  Here's what I did:
    • Disconnect the smartphone from the Orbi.
    • Open the VPN app and connect.
    • Notice that in a few minutes, the phone will appear as an Attached Device with a connection type of VPN.
    • Use a web browser on the smartphone to open the Orbi app.  Yes, the phone screen is not large enough to actually use the web interface, but is proof that VPN is working.
    • Close OpenVPN on the smartphone and create a WiFi Hot Spot on the phone.
    • Connect the laptop WiFi to the phone Hot Spot.
    • Open the VPN app on the laptop.
    • Once it connects, open a web browser and access the Orbi web interface using a web browser.
    • Notice that the laptop will appear on Attached Devices as VPN.
  • Now the laptop can be connected to most WiFi networks and access the Orbi LAN remotely.