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Forum Discussion
No VPN?
Router is a new RS100. I've been all over the Advanced set up page and cannot find where to set up a VPN. I'm just starting to dabble into this and would like the router for my VPN, for now. Any ideas where it's hidden? I already have a NoIP account ready to go/entered into the router.
Thanks for any input.
11 Replies
Router is a new RS100. I've been all over the Advanced set up page and cannot find where to set up a VPN. I'm just starting to dabble into this and would like the router for my VPN, for now. Any ideas where it's hidden?
The manual doesn't include any reference to that feature.
The RS200 has it - note that in all Netgear routers that have the feature, it is for remote access (a vpn server), not a VPN client that will send all your client traffic through the VPN.
So, the 100 has no vpn...ugh. must have been why it cost what it did. We're on a budget and the 100 appeared to be decent. I wish my old R6220 was more up to date. I believe it had it.
How does the Firefox VPN compare then?
Thanks for the quick response 👍
I've been all over the Advanced set up page
The RS100 appears to support two forms of VPN:
- The built in "Host mode" which allows access to the LAN from the internet, and
- A feature of the Optional Bitdefender Armor capability (which you have to pay for)
Look under Services and Security on the Product Data Sheet:
https://www.downloads.netgear.com/files/GDC/RS100/RS100_TS.pdf
must have been why it cost what it did
Not even the most expensive Nighthawk router includes a VPN Client feature.
The built in "Host mode" which allows access to the LAN from the internet,
Where are you finding that? "Host Mode" is not in the user manual and in the datasheet either.
The bottom item under Services and Security:
Of course, not actually having an RS100, it is somewhat of a stretch to infer that the Product Data Sheet is accurate. Every Netgear WiFi router has had OpenVPN as part of the firmware for over a decade.
The bottom item under Services and Security:
So "Host Mode" is just what you chose to call it.
Every Netgear WiFi router has had OpenVPN as part of the firmware for over a decade.
Every Nighthawk and Orbi. But the manual for the RS100 doesn't include include it, and Dummy001 can't find the configuration for it. So I am thinking that this Nighthawk doesn't have it.
FWIW, the manual does include DDNS.
For reference, here are the menus straight from the router.
No reference to "setting up" a VPN, just that it supports it. So, I'm thinking I would need to use an add on VPN app/program. BTW - I'm on Linux Mint.
Yes, truly confusing. The User Manual for the RS90 has this comment on page 98:
And, the RS90 has the same blurb on the Product Data Sheet about VPN.
Actually, I'm well versed in Teamviewer. I've used it for quite a few years. What I ultimately wanted to do is handled by it. I have a Plex server and wanted to watch movies while away from home BUT not pay for the Plex, since they updated this feature to paid.
I'm not 100% sure how well it would work just yet. Never used Teamviewer for this, just RDP to fix issues on friends PC's. I'll report back with my findings if anyone is interested.
Actually, I'm well versed in Teamviewer. I've used it for quite a few years. What I ultimately wanted to do is handled by it. I have a Plex server and wanted to watch movies while away from home BUT not pay for the Plex, since they updated this feature to paid.
Ok, so you want remote access for video (and perhaps music) playback.
Teamviewer and similar screen sharing (rdp, google desktop, etc) are not good options. Generally they don't offer high enough frame rates for smooth playback. Also they are focused on PCs, and not phones. You'd also lose plex transcoding on lower bandwidth connections.
ZeroTier and Tailscale are both worth exploring. Both would be free if you can stay under their device limits for free accounts. Both can be installed on your plex server.
I'd start with Tailscale (I believe it is simpler to set up).
Dummy001 Thanks for posting the RS100 menu. Absolutely amazing... as in "what the f**k?"
Back to the original question.... Netgear routers do NOT provide a "VPN Client" capability where all devices on the LAN are routed through a VPN connection.
Users appear to have three choices:
- Subscribe to a VPN service and install the client software on primary devices, such as computers, laptops, smartphones, etc.
- Purchase a VPN Client device, such as the Brume 2 (about $80 on Amazon).
- Install a VPN Client on a computer on the LAN. (I have WireGuard installed on a Raspberry Pi.)
Caveat: I, personally, eschew VPN and prefer to let "Big Brother" snoop on my transactions.
