I would like to know if i can install OpenWRT on an RPI to use it to connect some of my local devices, which will then use a VPN service.
The VPN service provider has not been identified yet, as i thought i would be better off establishing the OpenWRT can be used/configured in this way. and perhaps the forum can suggest a suitable VPN service provider i am looking for a reliable service provider that delivers adequate, consistent and reliable streaming speeds to deliver streaming TV channels.
Yes. OpenVPN supports many different VPN protocols. The most popular are WireGuard and OpenVPN, but others are supported, too.
That is not the intent of this forum. VPN providers that use standard VPN protocols can generally be used fairly easily with OpenWrt -- they may even have documentation about the setup process. You can search the forums for the various VPN services insofar as people requesting help getting the system working properly, and you can start your own thread if you encounter difficulties during setup.
But, as previously stated, this forum is not intended to review or endorse any specific VPN providers. You should search the web for other sites that do review these services, and then select the one that works best for your situation.
Thank You, firstly having read both responses in connection with my request ref a suitable VPN provider. yes, i fully understand the Forum's position on this, I should have realised that as I was creating the post, my fault but thanks for the clarification.
Finally, thanks for the guidance ref Wiregaurd and OpenVPN.
I now need to get started and see how i get on with the project taking your advice with me.
What are you trying to achieve with the VPN / Streaming?
I have Wireguard configured so that I can connect my 'on the road' device to my home network. The mobile device then uses my home broadband to access the internet.
If I were on holiday in another country, I could access Netflix as if I were at home.
We have a second home outside the UK, and I am trying to decide which is the best way to receive UK-based TV programming in this location.
I have been using various options but nothing seems to work perfectly, my current solution is based on a paid-for subscription but the Lag in transmission times through various nodes in the network appears to be restrictive.
There is another paid-for solution that requires either I put clients into all my devices that I need to access the service or I use the router, and there's the issue, i currently have a Mesh network router solution and these are not compatible with the paid-for solution clients..
So the thought was to get the RPi configured to be a sort of local VPN "hub" for the devices I want to connect to the services, so I could have different devices connected to different streaming services for example, and this is where I am at right now.
And to be honest, the more I investigate the more I think my plan is not achievable...
I assume you're referring to streaming services? iPlayer, All4, Netflix, Amazon Prime etc.? And that you can access these without any problems from your network at home?
Depending on how far off (geographically) you are from the Astra 28.2°E spotbeam, FreeSat with a slightly larger (85-120 cm) dish might still be a viable alternative.
In that case, the plan is achievable and shouldn't require you to use any paid services. You will set up a VPN 'server' within your home network and then connect to that from devices at remote locations. For all intents and purposes the remote device will then appear to be within your home network (and therefore in the UK) and you'll be able to use the streaming services as normal.
The only thing we need to check first is that you're not behind CGNAT as this will complicate matters. You'll need to find your WAN IP address at home and check it doesn't fall between 100.64.0.0 and 100.127.255.255.
The home network is based on TP Link Deco Routersas i use their mesh solution, and these routers are not compatible with any VPN code that I know of, so I assume i will have to install a VPN based on RPi for example possibly using OpenWRT.... but then i have the issue of connecting the devices at the remote end these devices include Firestick and Apple TV.
You can setup a VPN server on many different types of devices (including a regular computer), but your TP-Link Deco devices almost certainly won't work for this unless the specific model you have is supported by OpenWrt. But, you could put a server on your network behind your main router... I personally do this with an older OpenWrt supported router that serves as the VPN server. I am able to use it to connect to my home network from wherever I am in the world. The nice thing is that my apparent IP address, even when away, is my home. That means that I am able to use streaming services and other geo-restricted things just like I'm at home.
So, if you're happy with your streaming abilities while you're at home, you can typically do the 'road warrior' type VPN setup and you'll be able to enjoy the same services and content even when abroad.
Just be aware that your first home's uplink will be the maximum achievable downlink for your second home over the VPN connection. With slower contracts and the typical heavily asymmetric bandwith assignments, that might be problematic; roundtrip times will obviously also increade.
Thanks for all the very useful input on this, regarding the latency issues inherent in this solution I am going to have to try it and see how it performs.
I should have said at the beginning i am not an expert on Linux, i am moderately familiar with Linux, and can usually work things out if given the correct guidance.
So that respect i would plan to implement the server on either Raspberry OS or a Ubuntu system which is hosted on an old MacMini, and there are a few server implementations around is this something that the forum could advise on please ie which platform would be better and associated server implementation?
As far as the other server at the remote end to handle the various devices I wish to use to access the streaming services I haven't a clue how to do this can someone give me a pointer, please?
Again Thanks very much for the assistance on this.
