Apple TV Only MLB App Use VPN

[fsb]

I have an RT-AC86U running merlin v386.2_2. I have ExpressVPN and successfully setup 2 different OpenVPN clients to watch MLB.tv. This setup works perfectly.

I also watch Hulu and they're able to tell I'm on a VPN so I see an error message and can't go past it. I've used 3 of 4 location changes while testing the best VPN server (Hulu only lets you change your location 4 times during any 12-month period). The primary reason I got the VPN is for MLB so I don't need or want Hulu to go thru the vpn.

I just want the MLB app on the Apple TV to go thru the VPN connection but I haven't found a way to make app-specific connection changes in Merlin. Is this possible?

 

[Rezzor]

This may help with selective routing:
https://www.snbforums.com/threads/selective-routing-with-asuswrt-merlin.9311/

 

[Xentrk]

Please refer to the GitHub site for x3mRouting ~ Selective Routing for Asuswrt-Merlin Firmware

You can use x3mRouting to create rules to route streaming media or websites to the VPN or to bypass the VPN.

Example, bypass VPN client 1 and route Hulu traffic to WAN using dnsmasq method.

x3mRouting 1 0 HULU dnsmasq=hulu.com,hulustream.com,akamaihd.net

Analyze dnsmasq.log for domains with "hulu" in name

wizard@RT-AC88U-8248:/jffs/scripts/x3mRouting# sh autoscan.sh scan=hulu

IPSET Format
-------------------------------------
akamaihd.net
amazonaws.com
fastly.net
hulu.com
omtrdc.net


FQDN Format
-------------------------------------
assetshuluimcom-a.akamaihd.net
auth.hulu.com
discover.hulu.com
doppler.hulu.com
dualstack.hulu.map.fastly.net
emu.hulu.com
hulu-matchmaker.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com
hulu.com
hulu.map.fastly.net
hulu.sc.omtrdc.net
img.hulu.com
img1.hulu.com
img2.hulu.com
img3.hulu.com
img4.hulu.com
play.hulu.com
play.las.hulu.com
player.hulu.com
secure.hulu.com
www.hulu.com

wizard@RT-AC88U-8248:/jffs/scripts/x3mRouting# asn hulu-matchmaker.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com

-------------------------------------------------------------
| ASN lookup for hulu-matchmaker.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com |
-------------------------------------------------------------

- Resolving "hulu-matchmaker.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com"... 1 IP address found:

52.218.250.137 +PTR s3-us-west-2-r-w.amazonaws.com
                +ASN 16509 (AMAZON-02, US)
                +ORG Amazon.com, Inc.
                +NET 52.218.250.0/24 (AT-88-Z)
                +ABU abuse@amazonaws.com
                +GEO Portland, Oregon (US)


Tracing path to 52.218.250.137 (press CTRL-C to cancel)...^C
Interrupted

Manually ADD the amazon domain to the ipset list HULU:

ipset add HULU 52.218.250.137

For MLB, an analysis is required to see what domains are being referenced. x3mRouting has scripts to help with this. The above is an example. Please use the Add-Ons forum for questions about x3mRouting.

 

[fsb]

Please refer to the GitHub site for x3mRouting ~ Selective Routing for Asuswrt-Merlin Firmware

You can use x3mRouting to create rules to route streaming media or websites to the VPN or to bypass the VPN.

Example, bypass VPN client 1 and route Hulu traffic to WAN using dnsmasq method.

x3mRouting 1 0 HULU dnsmasq=hulu.com,hulustream.com,akamaihd.net

Analyze dnsmasq.log for domains with "hulu" in name

wizard@RT-AC88U-8248:/jffs/scripts/x3mRouting# sh autoscan.sh scan=hulu

IPSET Format
-------------------------------------
akamaihd.net
amazonaws.com
fastly.net
hulu.com
omtrdc.net


FQDN Format
-------------------------------------
assetshuluimcom-a.akamaihd.net
auth.hulu.com
discover.hulu.com
doppler.hulu.com
dualstack.hulu.map.fastly.net
emu.hulu.com
hulu-matchmaker.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com
hulu.com
hulu.map.fastly.net
hulu.sc.omtrdc.net
img.hulu.com
img1.hulu.com
img2.hulu.com
img3.hulu.com
img4.hulu.com
play.hulu.com
play.las.hulu.com
player.hulu.com
secure.hulu.com
www.hulu.com

wizard@RT-AC88U-8248:/jffs/scripts/x3mRouting# asn hulu-matchmaker.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com

-------------------------------------------------------------
| ASN lookup for hulu-matchmaker.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com |
-------------------------------------------------------------

- Resolving "hulu-matchmaker.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com"... 1 IP address found:

52.218.250.137 +PTR s3-us-west-2-r-w.amazonaws.com
                +ASN 16509 (AMAZON-02, US)
                +ORG Amazon.com, Inc.
                +NET 52.218.250.0/24 (AT-88-Z)
                +ABU abuse@amazonaws.com
                +GEO Portland, Oregon (US)


Tracing path to 52.218.250.137 (press CTRL-C to cancel)...^C
Interrupted

Manually ADD the amazon domain to the ipset list HULU:

ipset add HULU 52.218.250.137

For MLB, an analysis is required to see what domains are being referenced. x3mRouting has scripts to help with this. The above is an example. Please use the Add-Ons forum for questions about x3mRouting.

Thanks. I’m new to this so I’ll look at your site on how to do this scripting. I’ll also be sure to backup my current config just in case I make a terrible mistake.

 

[Xentrk]

Thanks. I’m new to this so I’ll look at your site on how to do this scripting. I’ll also be sure to backup my current config just in case I make a terrible mistake.

The Asuswrt-Merlin Wiki is a good place to start

 

[Lacrocious]

@fsb - Did you make progress on this? I have been successful with NordVPN and YazFI to use a Guest Network to provide the VPN. This requires switching the AppleTV to the alternate wireless network and back to normal as MLB needs one and Hulu doesn't like the VPN. It works, but I would like to eliminate the movement as it affects HomeKit automations run by the AppleTV. When on the Guest Network, the automations don't run.

Anyway - just got a new RT-AX86U as my old AC68W is dying and I am spending time to get it so we don't have to mess with it day-to-day. I'm also seeing if the new VPN Director can help tune this in.
- L