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VPN on router for use with SmartSDR iOS

WV9L
WV9L Member ✭✭
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

Answers

  • WX7Y
    WX7Y Member ✭✭✭✭
    edited June 2020
    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
    WV9L Member ✭✭
    edited February 2017
    Thanks for the info. I appreciate it.
  • WV9L
    WV9L Member ✭✭
    edited February 2019
    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
    WX7Y Member ✭✭✭✭
    edited June 2020
    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
    Lawrence Kellar KB5ZZB Member ✭✭
    edited February 2017
    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
    Ria Member ✭✭✭
    edited November 2019
    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
    David Decoons, wo2x Member, Super Elmer Moderator
    edited June 2020

    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


    image


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

    image


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


    image


    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
    Ryan - NC4RA Member ✭✭
    edited June 2020
    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
    WV9L Member ✭✭
    edited February 2017
    No prob. Thanks for your time and input though. 73
  • David Decoons, wo2x
    David Decoons, wo2x Member, Super Elmer Moderator
    edited February 2017

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

    Dave wo2x

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