I spend my winters in Mexico and summers in Colorado. In the past, I've used StrongVPN through my RT-N16 (with DD-WRT's OpenVPN) for access to Pandora, Hulu, etc. But some of these web services blocked my access at times last winter, as many StrongVPN customers found. (They now recommend their new StrongDNS service.)
I'm considering setting up my own VPN server in Colorado and connecting to that from Mexico, instead of using a commercial VPN service. In addition to being less likely to be blocked by Hulu et al., this would give me a Comcast IP address, which might help with access to certain TV networks. So my questions:
1. I have an RT-N56U in Colorado. Since it does not have a Broadcom chip, I'd be limited to PPTP. How much of a security concern should this be? Would I be smart to buy an RT-AC56U and run OpenVPN (Merlin FW)?
2. I plan to switch my RT-N16 to Merlin's firmware, but I think I read somewhere that this router has issues with OpenVPN, or at least that it is somehow less capable than the other Asus routers with Merlin fw. Do I need to switch out this router as well?
3. What about using an unattended router as my only stateside VPN server? Any recommendations for increasing reliability? Maybe a timer that temporarily cuts power to the cable modem and router early each morning? I've thought about using a WAN-accessible AC outlet; while I could use this to turn off power to the modem and/or router, how would I turn them back on? Maybe there is a device that would turn off power on command and then automatically restore it 30 seconds later or something?
Any other concerns or comments on this general plan are very welcome. I'm not sure I even know all the questions I should be asking yet. Thanks.
Duane Bender
I'm considering setting up my own VPN server in Colorado and connecting to that from Mexico, instead of using a commercial VPN service. In addition to being less likely to be blocked by Hulu et al., this would give me a Comcast IP address, which might help with access to certain TV networks. So my questions:
1. I have an RT-N56U in Colorado. Since it does not have a Broadcom chip, I'd be limited to PPTP. How much of a security concern should this be? Would I be smart to buy an RT-AC56U and run OpenVPN (Merlin FW)?
2. I plan to switch my RT-N16 to Merlin's firmware, but I think I read somewhere that this router has issues with OpenVPN, or at least that it is somehow less capable than the other Asus routers with Merlin fw. Do I need to switch out this router as well?
3. What about using an unattended router as my only stateside VPN server? Any recommendations for increasing reliability? Maybe a timer that temporarily cuts power to the cable modem and router early each morning? I've thought about using a WAN-accessible AC outlet; while I could use this to turn off power to the modem and/or router, how would I turn them back on? Maybe there is a device that would turn off power on command and then automatically restore it 30 seconds later or something?
Any other concerns or comments on this general plan are very welcome. I'm not sure I even know all the questions I should be asking yet. Thanks.
Duane Bender