Unlocator Setup Chromecast to work with Asuswrt-Merlin

[indicibil]

Hi,

First of all, my knowledge of everything related to routing is limited. I'm aware that this forum is for advanced users, but I'm willing to learn and read

Subject: Until recently, I've been using Unlocator with an Asus RT-N13U router with a DDWRT firmware. The service is used to access in Romania services like Netflix and Hulu. I'm also using 2 chromecasts which in order to work with Netflix and Hulu, need to have the google dns (8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4). Yesteday I changed the router with an Asus RT-AC66U on which I'm running Asuswrt-Merlin (as I've read that ddwrt firmware is missing some important functionalities). Unfortunately I'm not able to replicate for the merlin firmware the setup given by Unlocator for ddwrt routers here: https://support.unlocator.com/custo...7-how-to-setup-dd-wrt-to-work-with-chromecast

Please be aware that DD-WRT by nature is an advanced topic. We don't provide support for DD-WRT configuration and you are expected to have an intermediate understanding of networking.
Go to http://192.168.1.1
Log in to your router. Default user info for DD-WRT is root/admin
Go to Setup > Basic Setup > Network Setup > Network Address Server Settings (DHCP)
Set DNS to 185.37.37.37 and 185.37.37.185
Click Apply Settings
Go to Services > Services > Services Management > DNSMasq > Additional DNSMasq Options and enter the following in the text box: strict-order
Click Apply Settings
Go to Administration > Commands
input:
iptables -t nat -A PREROUTING -d 8.8.8.8 -j DNAT --to-destination 185.37.37.37
iptables -t nat -A PREROUTING -d 8.8.4.4 -j DNAT --to-destination 185.37.37.185
Click save firewall
​Click save startup

What I've done so far: I've activated JFFS, I've installed putty and activated telnet, but with no knowledge of Run commands, I have no idea what I'm doing and I'm afraid I will break up the router I don't know exactly how to create and load the script necessary for the configuration to survive a reboot. I've been able just to insert the following lines into the http://192.168.1.1/Main_AdmStatus_Content.asp, it works, but it won't survive a reboot:
iptables -t nat -A PREROUTING -d 8.8.8.8 -j DNAT --to-destination 185.37.37.37
iptables -t nat -A PREROUTING -d 8.8.4.4 -j DNAT --to-destination 185.37.37.185

I would kindly appreciate your help!

Thanks in advance,

indicibil

 

[RMerlin]

Upgrade to 374.40-alpha 4, or wait for the final release. DNSFilter will allow you to enter custom DNS servers in it, which will do what you are trying to achieve with that script, Check under Parental Control -> DNSFilter.

This will even allow you to restrict the service to your Chromecast only (by using its MAC address as a client rule).

 

[indicibil]

Thank you so much, RMerlin! I will install the alpha build and do as you said!
Just one question: do I need to backup the JFFS folder, as I've seen specified in some places before the upgrade to 374.40-alpha 4? I didn't run so far any script, but I've copied locally the JFFS folder using WinScp. Do I need to do something else before upgrading?

Thanks again,

indicibil

 

[r00t4rd3d]

indicibil are you on Windows? Enable SSH on your router and install WinSCP on your PC. When you setup WinSCP to connect to your router use the SCP protocol. WinSCP will allow you to browse, edit, config, etc your router in an environment you are probably more familiar with. Its also good to install Notepad++ and make sure WinSCP uses that for its text editor, Preferences, Editor, make sure Notepad++ is added and the only thing listed, remove any others like normal Notepad. When you double click a text/config file in WinSCP it should open in Notepad++.

*EDIT

And I just seen your new reply and you are already using WinSCP. Backup your scripts in jffs if you plan on flashing new firmware.

 

[RMerlin]

Just one question: do I need to backup the JFFS folder, as I've seen specified in some places before the upgrade to 374.40-alpha 4? I didn't run so far any script, but I've copied locally the JFFS folder using WinScp. Do I need to do something else before upgrading?

Not needed with the RT-AC66U, since it has a dedicated 32 MB partition, unlike the N16 and N66U which are getting whatever space is left by the main linux partition.

 

[netmik3]

This seems dangerous.

Are you getting ssl warnings?

 

[snake plisken]

Upgrade to 374.40-alpha 4, or wait for the final release. DNSFilter will allow you to enter custom DNS servers in it, which will do what you are trying to achieve with that script, Check under Parental Control -> DNSFilter.

This will even allow you to restrict the service to your Chromecast only (by using its MAC address as a client rule).

Hi RMerlin,

So I bought a ASUS RT-N66U last night and from research decided to go with your image so I'm the 374.40 build. Now I have gone into the parental control tab and then clicked on the dns filtering tab, I have then enabled dns filter and under custom dns I have entered the 8.8.8.8 and custom 2 8.8.8.4 I have then go down to client list and added the chromecast for both addresses (8.8.8.8 and 8.8.8.4) but i'm still not getting any joy with Netflix, what am I missing?

Thanks

 

[L&LD]

I think they should be 8.8.8.8 and 4.4.4.4

 

[snake plisken]

I think they should be 8.8.8.8 and 4.4.4.4

actually should it be 8.8.4.4 as per first post, but still no go, is there another step to preroute it to the unlocator dns servers?

 

[jakey]

The idea is NOT to use the google dns servers so you should be entering the correct unlocator dns server addresses in custom 1 and 2 for the chromecast device.

 

[RMerlin]

You can only use one DNS server per device on DNSFilter. Specifying two different entries won't do anything, only the first one will be used.

 

[snake plisken]

You can only use one DNS server per device on DNSFilter. Specifying two different entries won't do anything, only the first one will be used.

So still kind of lost on this, what is the correct way to manipulate the settings on dns filter to be able to watch Netflix via chromecast via unlocator or will I have manually apply command via telenet?

Thanks

 

[RMerlin]

So still kind of lost on this, what is the correct way to manipulate the settings on dns filter to be able to watch Netflix via chromecast via unlocator or will I have manually apply command via telenet?

Thanks

No idea. Not a clue what Unlocator even is.

 

[snake plisken]

It's a VPN service like unblockus which hides your geographical location so it allows you to watch Netflix from other countries, so when I use it on PC it works but when you cast it falls over as the chromecast seems to go to the google servers, maybe someone else has successfully managed to get it working.

 

[indicibil]

So still kind of lost on this, what is the correct way to manipulate the settings on dns filter to be able to watch Netflix via chromecast via unlocator or will I have manually apply command via telenet?

Thanks

Hey snake plisken, since the first post I've managed to make the chromecasts work with unlocator and ac66u (firmware 374.40), as per RMerlin suggestions:

- Parental Control -> DNS Filtering: Enable DNS-Filtering (On), Global filter mode (Router), Custom (User defined) DNS 1: 8.8.8.8 and Custom (User defined) DNS 2: 8.8.4.4. I've also added in the client list the two chromecasts I have based on their MAC Address; Filter mode - Router.
- Of course, you also need to have the correct Unlocator DNS set in WAN -> Internet Connection -> WAN DNS Setting.

It works, but I think I have other problems with the router, my connection drops often on all devices (not just chromecasts), I'm trying right now to see what the culprit is.

Let me know if it works for you!

 

[snake plisken]

Thanks for that I'm wondering are your issues with putting the un locator DNS into the wan DNS settings on the router as your basically routing your net traffic through the unlocator servers

 

[indicibil]

Thanks for that I'm wondering are your issues with putting the un locator DNS into the wan DNS settings on the router as your basically routing your net traffic through the unlocator servers

Yes, all the traffic is routed through unlocator, that's how it's supposed to be:

https://support.unlocator.com/customer/portal/articles/1094626-how-to-setup-asus-router

This shouldn't be the reason for the disconnects, it worked fine on another asus router (rt-N13u) on ddwrt. But there are some things different in my network vs the previous setup: a powerline, guest network, 2 chromecasts instead of one, different ISP etc. So I have to exclude each variable at a time to see what's wrong

 

[ozgurcnbyz]

i dont think its a good idea to set unlocators dns servers on the router. it might cause problems with other services which rely upon cdn services. (i.e itunes youtube etc.). i am using unotelly and what i did is to use dnsmasq for netflix and other services i like to unblock. other than that isp's dns server is always a better option. as per the chromecast i am using a script which nat's google dns ip addressed to that of the unotelly's. everything works great. besides as far as i know when a dns request is made and if that request is not for one of the services that they unblock, google dns ip addresses are returned. atleast this is how unotelly works. If thats the case for unlocator aswell it might cause problems .

 

[snake plisken]

Hey indicibil thanks for your help that works fine, I'm on unlocator trial for the week, need to find the best deal for europe as they seem to add 25% tax for EU customers sof $49.95 for US customers but $62.44 for EU customers for 12 months.

 

[indicibil]

Hey snake, you're welcome. What I did is I've considered myself to be a us customer and it worked fine (49.95$) with my non-US credit card When you choose your country you may be whatever you want, nobody knows you're a dog from a third world country on the internet. I hope that my country's IRS won't read this (I know they won't, they are just to incompetent to do that and they just don't care).

@ozgurcnbyz: you might be right, but I think your solution is not that easy to implement for someone like me who doesn't know too much, routing wise.
Edit: when you have time and if you feel like it, please let us know what are the steps and scripts necessary to accomplish your setup. Thanks!