Software installation on spark modem

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freitasm

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#2627034 26-Dec-2020 21:54

One option could be using a FritzBox as your main router as it supports VPN IPSEC PSK as a client. It even has an option to only use the VPN for some devices on the network so you could assign it to your TV or streaming box only, without affecting other devices. You obviously would be better borrowing a box to test (or have someone with a box test it for you) and make sure it works, before buying one. I would test but I don't have a VPN account anymore.

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#2627035 26-Dec-2020 22:01

freitasm:
One option could be using a FritzBox as your main router as it supports VPN IPSEC PSK as a client. It even has an option to only use the VPN for some devices on the network so you could assign it to your TV or streaming box only, without affecting other devices. You obviously would be better borrowing a box to test (or have someone with a box test it for you) and make sure it works, before buying one. I would test but I don't have a VPN account anymore.

Cool!
I could be wrong and have trown it away. But I think I might have a fritzbox somewhere. Will have a look in the morning. Can't remember ever seeing a VPN option

What does IPSEC PSK client mean?

freitasm

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#2627037 26-Dec-2020 22:03

IPSEC is a type of VPN protocol. PSK means shared key. Most VPN providers will have an IPSEC server and your private account will have the shared key.

Your Fritzbox would need to be updated to the latest OS to be sure everything works fine. It's in Internet | Permit Access | Filter.

In this scenario, you would replace the Spark box with the FritzBox completely.

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#2627039 26-Dec-2020 22:12

freitasm:
IPSEC is a type of VPN protocol. PSK means shared key. Most VPN providers will have an IPSEC server and your private account will have the shared key.

Your Fritzbox would need to be updated to the latest OS to be sure everything works fine. It's in Internet | Permit Access | Filter.

In this scenario, you would replace the Spark box with the FritzBox completely.

Don't think this is an option as it does not support fibre speeds? Also people mentioned earlier that a vpn on your modem would slow down the speed on all devices?

freitasm

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#2627040 26-Dec-2020 22:15

Pinpoint: Don't think this is an option as it does not support fibre speeds? Also people mentioned earlier that a vpn on your modem would slow down the speed on all devices?

Both the FritzBox 7490 and 7590 are gigabit capable - and the 7590 is superfast.

Second, I mentioned about the VPN slowing down the speed on devices because most routers would use the VPN for ALL devices in the connection. Note the last line in the FritzBox where you can select which devices will use the VPN, so other devices in the network won't be affected since their traffic will not go through the VPN.

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michaelmurfy

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#2627041 26-Dec-2020 22:16

I'm going to be honest here - you're doing things the wrong way.

There are DNS-based providers available that'll do the job for you without going into VPN territory like dns4me that'll suit you better and will work with the Spark Smart Modem however we'll not go into detail on what services these providers unblock or how to set it up. I'm just simply pointing you in the right direction. Also read this: https://www.geekzone.co.nz/forums.asp?forumid=151&topicid=192306

VPN providers are seriously not the best for this and you'll be pumping all your internet traffic through one which is not ideal for a multitude of reasons - the main reason being you can trust your internet service provider more than a dodgy VPN provider. Also you'll have to constantly maintain it and have an understanding on how VPN's work.

Also related, read this: https://gist.github.com/joepie91/5a9909939e6ce7d09e29

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freitasm

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#2627042 26-Dec-2020 22:20

Agree with @michaelmurfy above. I just posted this because you seemed set on using a VPN (and the reason why I don't have a VPN account any longer is that there's no good reason to use one these days, at least not from home).

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#2627043 26-Dec-2020 22:20

Thanks heaps for this guys!

I'll do some more reading on this

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#2627044 26-Dec-2020 22:24

freitasm:

One option could be using a FritzBox as your main router as it supports VPN IPSEC PSK as a client. It even has an option to only use the VPN for some devices on the network so you could assign it to your TV or streaming box only, without affecting other devices. You obviously would be better borrowing a box to test (or have someone with a box test it for you) and make sure it works, before buying one. I would test but I don't have a VPN account anymore.

This is one of the feature requests on the sonicWALL for years, it supports tunnel interface IPSEC but no xauth so doesn't work with most VPN accounts

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richms

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#2627046 26-Dec-2020 22:34

Asus appears to do this in its stock firmware according to this how to. Get one, put its wan interface into your smart modem, and then hook the TV and whatever else up to its LAN ports and once the VPN is configured, it will all go out thru that. Disable VPN or connect the TV up to the normal network and you can "enjoy" the services available in NZ instead.

Richard rich.ms

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