Wireless RBI & VPN. Help needed please.

Forums › New Zealand Mobile and Wireless › Wireless RBI & VPN. Help needed please.

davednz

2 posts

Wannabe Geek

# 243682 25-Dec-2018 11:49

Hi all, l am not a complete tech newbie but this issue is doing my head in. I live in Central Southland and use NetSpeed RBI as my wireless broadband provider. We are way to far from anywhere to ever have a hope of getting connected to fibre. I also have our home/small biz phone on the same connection. Broadband speed is actually pretty good and will be fine for my streaming needs.

My setup is as follows:

Standard Huawei 315 router.
Wireless Network utilising Netgear Orbi AC3000 Mesh Booster.
4 to 5 mobile phones:
1 to 2 laptops:
1 to 2 TVs:
Network printer:
All connecting ocassionally to my network.

I want to use a VPN to connect to overseas sites e.g. Netflix, but l want to shield all devices inside my network.

Ideally l would put the VPN on the Huawei but the 315 doesn't support that. It seems like l might be able to use a VPN on the Orbi but this looks pretty complex.

I have had it suggested to me to get a specialised VPN enabled router to run inside the Huawei but this is surely an overly complex & expensive solution. Also a static IP would be just another ongoing cost.

Is it possible to purchase & receive RBI wireless on a router other than those currently approved? That too would obviosly be another expense!

So has anyone please got any ideas about what might be the best solution for me? Is anyone out there running a network like mine? How does it work?

Thanks in advance and Merry Christmas to all.

Cheers Dave

SATTV

881 posts

Ultimate Geek

# 2150465 25-Dec-2018 14:33

Hi Dave,

I have Netspeed and you get a static IP included in your monthly fee so there is no ongoing cost.

I also have a B315 and the lack of VPN is a pain, there are some things I would like to do but I cant.

You can swap out the router for any 4G enabled router, or a router that has a USB socket and you can use a 4G dongle. you just have to use the the APN rbi.netspeed.net.nz

Have a look at the TP-Link Archer MR200, these can do a VPN if I recall, but they dont do 700MHz, check what band you are using and see if this can do it.

There are a few other 4G routers out there but you will have to check the specs, unfortunately as 4G internet is still in its infancy the is not a huge selection of routers and it will cost a few dollars to upgrade the router to what you want.

You could use a USB dongle and a Mikrotik but you really need to know you are doing to get it going.

John

I know enough to be dangerous

coffeebaron

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# 2150475 25-Dec-2018 15:57

Or Mikrotik LTE SXT, but lacks L700

Chorus has spent $1.4 billion on making their xDSL broadband network faster and even more now as they are upgrading their rural Conklins. If your still stuck on ADSL or VDSL, why not spend $195 on a master filter install to make sure you are getting the most out of your connection?
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sbiddle

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# 2150492 25-Dec-2018 16:59

2 people support this post

Why would you want an always on VPN which will presumably be to another country for all devices? You do realise how this will impact your general Internet experience and browsing?

MadEngineer

1903 posts

Uber Geek

# 2150525 25-Dec-2018 17:55

Or route over the VPN for selected services. Good luck keeping that list updated though.

https://superuser.com/questions/999196/mikrotik-and-vpn-for-specific-web-sites-only

davednz

2 posts

Wannabe Geek

# 2150597 25-Dec-2018 23:52

Hi, l'm sorry but this is where my lack of knowledge lets me down.

Yes l do understand that a VPN will most likely degrade my overall user experience, but how do l isolate my (not so) smart TV to access sites through a VPN? Yes it is possible to change the settings on a TV but more complex with a Samsung TV like l have.

Also my broadband is RBI wireless and not fibre therefore my last point of access to my ISP is through a non VPN compatible modem.

Anything helpful you can add would be much appreciated.

cyril7

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# 2150622 26-Dec-2018 08:25

Hi you would be better of using a DNS service as opposed to a VPN, this way you traffic performance is not impacted, this is what I use to get me access to various services not normally allowed in NZ. DNS4Me is a good example.

Cyril

Rikkitic

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# 2150657 26-Dec-2018 10:36

I am also on Netspeed wireless RBI, B315. I have always found that DNS4ME works very well for my needs. It can be a pain to switch regions, but user profiles make that a breeze. I also have Windscribe VPN for special cases. I chose that one because I got a fantastic deal on it but it also has a free version limited mainly to USA servers and 10 Gb/month. Having both works well for me and gives me maximum flexibility. The DNS proxy has to be installed on each device individually, and some things like NextPVR don't support it, but that is where the VPN comes in. For streaming I mainly use the Nvidia Shield with the TV as a monitor.

I don't think there is ever a bad time to talk about how absurd war is, how old men make decisions and young people die. - George Clooney

cyril7

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# 2150681 26-Dec-2018 10:57

Rikkitic:

--snip

The DNS proxy has to be installed on each device individually, and some things like NextPVR don't support it, but that is where the VPN comes in.

If you use a local DHCP server seperate to the B315 then you can issue DNS records as required and save the VPN, you can use vlans if you have the switching to support it and have some devices different lans with different DNS records.

Cyril

sbiddle

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# 2150682 26-Dec-2018 11:03

Rikkitic:

I am also on Netspeed wireless RBI, B315. I have always found that DNS4ME works very well for my needs. It can be a pain to switch regions, but user profiles make that a breeze. I also have Windscribe VPN for special cases. I chose that one because I got a fantastic deal on it but it also has a free version limited mainly to USA servers and 10 Gb/month. Having both works well for me and gives me maximum flexibility. The DNS proxy has to be installed on each device individually, and some things like NextPVR don't support it, but that is where the VPN comes in. For streaming I mainly use the Nvidia Shield with the TV as a monitor.

I have no issues with DNS4ME doing everything I want, and no issues with NextPVR because it's on the device.

You can get around some region issues by adding your own records if you can work things out.

Rikkitic

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# 2150683 26-Dec-2018 11:06

Thanks but probably too involved for my usage. I don't have a LAN server at all, just direct links to the router. They do what I need (except NextPVR, of course).

I don't think there is ever a bad time to talk about how absurd war is, how old men make decisions and young people die. - George Clooney