VPN on router for use with SmartSDR iOS

WV9L

I am currently running Softether on a PC at home, and connecting fine with with my iphone for remote operation. However, i would like to run the VPN server on my router in L2TP with IPSec. My reasoning, is that a few times, i have had my PC go down, even with battery backup, and lose operation, until i get home and reboot. Also, its tying up a laptop. So, i see some posts about the asus rt-n66u. But it looks like its running PPTP, which iOS doesnt support.

Any advice as far as a model, would be greatly appreciated.

73 de WV9L

WX7Y

Most ASUS routers have OpenVPN in there firmware and if you set it for TAP it does work with the IPAD/IPHONE VPN. 

I have used the RT-AC87U ,  RT-AC66U, and the RT-N66U all work just fine.

73's
Bret
WX7Y

WV9L

Thanks for the info. I appreciate it.

WV9L

Ive watched a few youtube videos and looked at specs. It looks like (in server mode) they run PPTP, not L2TP. iOS no longer supports PPTP. Any ideas? Do you have to run other firmware flash on the router?

WX7Y

Just tried to connect using my new IPAD and you are absolutely right so please disregard what I said in earlier posts. My old IPAD connects just fine but it doesn't have the last couple of IOS updates .
Sorry

73's
Bret WX7Y

Lawrence Kellar KB5ZZB

I use softether and OpenVPN in my ASUS router. Both have issues at times. If you run both then you have a backup if one fails

Ria

I used to use OpenVPN on my pfsense router. It would work for iOS but it was routed, not bridged meaning you had to specify the IP in the SmartSDR for IOS client. Eventually I just went to softether on a raspberry pi. It's set and forget.

David Decoons, wo2x

I use two different model Asus routers, the RT-N66U and RT-AC3200 (radios at two different location). Both support OpenVPN.

Here's a quick tutorial on the setup.

1. Upgrade router to latest firmware

2. In the router setup click the WAN button on left and then click DDNS tab on top. CLick enable DDNS Client. Enter a hostname. Example - w1awhome. Click apply

3. On left click VPN. CLick OpenVPN. Enter a username, password and then click the + to the right of the password field. Click apply.

4. Click where it says General and select Advanced. Set the settings to match this screenshot and click apply

5. Go back to OpenDNS General page and click export. Save the file to your PC. Email it to yourself so you can receive it on your iPhone.

6. On the iPhone download and install OpenVPN Connect.

7. On the iPhone open the email with the file attached you exported. Double tap the file and choose OpenVPN Connect as the program to use to open it. Click the + to add that profile.

Here is a FAQ on setting up OpenVPN Connect on IOS. https://www.ivpn.net/setup/iphone-openvpn-connect.html

Now you can open the OpenVPN app enter your username and password you created in the router and select connect. Once connected you can open SmartSDR for IOS and it should see your radio.

Dave wo2x

Ryan - NC4RA

Thank you Dave!  I just received my FLEX-6500 Monday and installed SmartSDR iOS on my iphone7 Friday.  I had no problem getting it to connect via my home Wi-Fi (Asus RT-AC3100).  Next step was to figure out how to setup a VPN to allow a connection over cellular.

I followed your instructions and now everything connects perfect via Wi-Fi or cellular.  I did have to change the connection mode in SmartSDR iOS from discover to fixed and enter in the IP for the FLEX-6500.

Now back to reading on how to configure Log4OM, N1MM and Fldigi


73
Ryan NC4RA

WV9L

No prob. Thanks for your time and input though. 73

David Decoons, wo2x

Yes, I am running my radio IP static as well.

Dave wo2x