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PIA setup for multiple client instances and multiple devices

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thedvrguy

New Around Here
Hi.... newbie here. Thank you to Merlin and the members here for an outstanding build.
I have an RT-AC68U with 378.56.2 Asuswrt-Merlin. I have a home network, in Canada, with about 15 devices (from time to time). I need to defeat geo-blocks from Netflix, NHL and Hulu.
My OpenVPN client is properly installed. I set up Client Instance 1 as PIA in NYC. It is functioning properly with a Status - connected.
I also set up Client Instance 2 as PIA in France. It is installed in the same manner as Instance 1. However, if I put it on (or select it at startup), I get a message of "conflict". For now, I have stopped Instance 2. How can I ensure that the 2 instances co-exist without issue?
Also, I am still unclear (even after exhaustive reading here) of how Policy rules are applied. Here is the example:
On Android Box A, I want to use PIA-France tunnel only on Netflix. All other traffic from this box should go through PIA-NYC tunnel. I'm lost on how to set this in the Policy UI.
Thanks for any help which you can give to me.
 
I haven't used multiple openvpn clients but it should work. just make sure you're specifying different LAN devices for each client. I believe the conflict arises when you're telling both client policies to route the same LAN device.

I do not know if overlapping devices will work if the destination IP is specified for one client and unspecified for the other client.
 
Hi.... newbie here. Thank you to Merlin and the members here for an outstanding build.
I have an RT-AC68U with 378.56.2 Asuswrt-Merlin. I have a home network, in Canada, with about 15 devices (from time to time). I need to defeat geo-blocks from Netflix, NHL and Hulu.
My OpenVPN client is properly installed. I set up Client Instance 1 as PIA in NYC. It is functioning properly with a Status - connected.
I also set up Client Instance 2 as PIA in France. It is installed in the same manner as Instance 1. However, if I put it on (or select it at startup), I get a message of "conflict". For now, I have stopped Instance 2. How can I ensure that the 2 instances co-exist without issue?
Also, I am still unclear (even after exhaustive reading here) of how Policy rules are applied. Here is the example:
On Android Box A, I want to use PIA-France tunnel only on Netflix. All other traffic from this box should go through PIA-NYC tunnel. I'm lost on how to set this in the Policy UI.
Thanks for any help which you can give to me.

http://www.snbforums.com/threads/error-routing-conflict.30164/


Enable 'Policy rules', but you will need to reverse the assignment of the VPN clients.....

Code:
VPN Client 1 PIA France

Android A      192.168.1.nnn  xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx    VPN
etc.
Android A      192.168.1.nnn  xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx/nn VPN


Code:
VPN Client 2 PIA NYC

Android A      192.168.1.nnn   0.0.0.0            VPN


The problem will be identifying ALL of the Netflix xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx I/P addresses and subnets, since you can't specify a name such as Netflix.com

...maybe these are used by Netflix.com

173.230.240.197
204.12.200.14
104.250.100.14

etc.
 
Last edited:
Thank you, cosmoxl. I did take care with device assignments. I just can't seem to get my head around how to use the 2nd Client Instance as an option for certain devices. I am a beginner. Perhaps I should stick to simply using one instance and be happy with that.

Thank you, Martineau. I did actually come across your post on error/conflict and the potential resolution. I am just not ready for commands and scripts, yet. I hope to solve this issue within the GUI. If not, I will remove France as a Client Instance and use the PIA app to connect that device alone as necessary.

I must say that, for the most part, this project has been made very easy for me. RMerlin has coded and documented very well. I have learned quite a bit about routing and the Asus router. Once again, thanks to the community!

You actually mean - You want to defeat...

FWW - those loopholes are going to close sooner than later...
I didn't bargain on an ESL lesson with my first post. English is not my first language and I do have vocabulary/grammatical/expression issues. I'll try harder on my next post. :)
FWW - Another hole will appear in the dike.
 
I didn't bargain on an ESL lesson with my first post. English is not my first language and I do have vocabulary/grammatical/expression issues. I'll try harder on my next post. :)
FWW - Another hole will appear in the dike.

Didn't mean it quite like how you interpreted it - apologies...

But seriously - between content providers (like NFLIX/HULU/et cetera), they're starting to take the VPN unlock issue very seriously due to license issues with their providers...

I understand what/why you're trying to fill a "want" - but at the same time... VPN isn't going to be a long term answer, because everyone that's playing in that sandbox knows what's going on - the fact that folks have been getting away with it has much to do with upper management not caring - now days, they do...
 
Didn't mean it quite like how you interpreted it - apologies...

But seriously - between content providers (like NFLIX/HULU/et cetera), they're starting to take the VPN unlock issue very seriously due to license issues with their providers...

I understand what/why you're trying to fill a "want" - but at the same time... VPN isn't going to be a long term answer, because everyone that's playing in that sandbox knows what's going on - the fact that folks have been getting away with it has much to do with upper management not caring - now days, they do...
Not a problem. My attempt at a witty comeback.
Issues surrounding the future of VPNs are far beyond me. For now, I'll just use whatever means to meet my "need".
 

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