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Valley54's avatar
Valley54
Aspirant
Apr 17, 2020

Orbi RBR10

Hi all

having massive problems with Orbi RBR10 router and 2 x sattelites and been going through Netgear support for well over 6 weeks now with no progression!

Basically what I am trying to do is get the OpenVPN working on the Orbi so I can the get a VPN server and connect the Orbi to it therefore covering my home network via the VPN and not having 20 thousand connections to the VPN (over exagerration but I think you will understand)

My setup is as follows:

My ISP is a cable company where I have turned their router into just Modem mode as their signal was not the best

I connected an RBR10 Orbi system to the router using an ethernet cable and followed the instructions to the letter as to how to set it up (Windows 10 computer)

So far so good all works and I have decent wifi coverage over the house

I then followed the instructions to start using the OpenVPN

I made a DNS server account using no.ip as suggested in the Orbi literature and procedures again following this to the letter.

When I clicked on the "enable VPN Service" check box however I get the following fault every time

 

Your VPN client configuration file does not match your Dynamic DNS setting or the IP address for your Internet connection. Please follow the Step 2 and Step 3 to download and install the configuration files on each of your VPN client devices (overwrite existing configuration files).

 

Now I have followed the suggestion of Steps 2 and 3 (presuming that this means downloading the config files and adding them to the OpenVPN config file folder as required) so many times now (over 25!!) and STILL get the same fault.

 

I have had Support remote access my computer so many times that I am rapidly running out of confidence in them!!

 

We have tried using the OpenVPN on the computer using the ISP through internet...

We have tried connecting the Orbi to a mobile hotspot

We have tried adding the OpenVPN on the mobile using both the ISP and also the mobile data usage

The Orbi has been replaced, upgraded software, downgraded software, reset, factory reset and almost thrown several times!!!

 

I'm lost and have no great experience on networking etc so everything I have done has been learnt off the internet or doing as requested by technical (it seems I tend to know more than them at times which is no great confidence booster) so therefore open myself up to you the great public knowledge base in the hope that someone has an idea or two to get this things working and doing what I paid for it to do!

 

Sorry its so long winded and more info can be given if required (as long as its not too technical as I'm a bang on novice!)

7 Replies

  • CrimpOn's avatar
    CrimpOn
    Guru - Experienced User
    Apr 17, 2020
    Valley54 wrote:

    Basically what I am trying to do is get the OpenVPN working on the Orbi so I can the get a VPN server and connect the Orbi to it therefore covering my home network via the VPN and not having 20 thousand connections to the VPN (over exagerration but I think you will understand)

    I have activated OpenVPN on two Orbi RBR50 systems.  (Not the RBR10, but still the Orbi.)  Before attempting to address the technical situation, it might be useful to expand on the desired result.  OpenVPN on the Orbi is intended for the Orbi to become an OpenVPN "host" which can be reached from the internet.  When I am away from home and want to check on one of my two Orbi systems, I connect to the internet (friend's house, airport (well, not now), Starbucks, work, etc.) and use the OpenVPN  "client" software on my laptop (tablet or phone) to connect to the Orbi.  Once connected to the Orbi, I can access the Orbi web interface or any other computers on my local LAN.  And, yes, I can also use the Orbi to "go out" to the internet - appearing to be at home.

     

    But, the Orbi is not an OpenVPN "client".  Devices connected to my Orbi cannot use the Orbi as a VPN to reach the internet.  There are some WiFi routers which can act as VPN clients, but Orbi is not one of them.  NordVPN has a list of routers on their web site that can support being a NordVPN pathway for everything connected to the router.  Other VPN hosts may have similar capabilities.  I haven't looked.

     

    So, the goal is to set up OpenVPN to enable reaching your LAN from the internet, correct?

    • Valley54's avatar
      Valley54
      Aspirant
      Apr 17, 2020

      So, the goal is to set up OpenVPN to enable reaching your LAN from the internet, correct?

       

      Yes that is correct.

       

      I have yet to subscribe to a VPN host (Nord, Polar, express etc.) until I can get the Orbi sytem to connect to it via the OpenVPN client that is installed into the Orbi system, if that makes sense. Therefore getting the Home Lan system (Ring cameras,PC's, Security cameras etc) protected when connecting to the internet to send me feeds and when external from the home other equipment connecting into the Lan safely all via the VPN service.

       

      From what I understand the VPN service can have up to 6 connections at any one time

      Therefore if I have the Works PC's (I work from home and have 3)

      The Ring security system (cams, alarm etc.)

      My Lads Xbox

      My PS

      The wifes phones etc

      All connected at once (ISP tells me I have up to 20+ items connected to the lan/internet at any one time) then thats the 6 simultaneous connections and more!

       

      However to get the home LAN onto the VPN Service Provider via ONE connection using the Orbi and OpenVPN then this would free up "slots" or connections to the VPN Service Provider for items (Laptops phones etc) ouside of the home environs to also be connected via the VPN Service Provider to the home LAN and therefore a better level of protection is afforded.

       

      Hope this makes more sense

      • CrimpOn's avatar
        CrimpOn
        Guru - Experienced User
        Apr 17, 2020
        Valley54 wrote:

        So, the goal is to set up OpenVPN to enable reaching your LAN from the internet, correct?

         

        Yes that is correct.

         

        I have yet to subscribe to a VPN host (Nord, Polar, express etc.) until I can get the Orbi sytem to connect to it via the OpenVPN client that is installed into the Orbi system, if that makes sense.

         

        I am sorry that my explanation was not clear.  The Orbi OpenVPN software is a HOST, not a client.  It is for devices in the internet to connect TO devices that are on the LAN behind the Orbi.  Counting the number of devices inside the Orbi LAN which want to connect OUT has no meaning.  It appears what you want is a VPN client that enables devices inside your LAN to reach the internet.  Orbi does not do that.