Really screwey lan (non)connection + everythihng else

Sorry for the Title - it's been a long week.

I have multiple problems probably not all related. I have OpenWRT on several routers and none have these symptoms.

I can not ssh to the router from outside the lan. (this s probably something I just setup wrong, but I can't see how as it's just a few check boxes.)
short term testing settings:
Interface: all
Port: 22
Password authentication
Allow Root

My OpenVPN will let me connect, but I can not talk to anything on the lan side once connected (I'm using DDNS, yes it's correct). (Luci isn't showing what was configured on the command line.)

And the weirdest one: Some lan devices will connect to get an address, other will not, and which ones connect seems random after an OpenWRT reboot. some are internally pingable, some are not. The longer I let it sit (many hours), the more devices will get a lease. The ones listed in the Active DHCP Leases in the overview page are usually pingable, but right now there is one I know is awake but will not reply to a ping. This is all very frustrating and worse, inconsistent - working/connected devices can change on router reboot.

The Router is remote, but I can remotely access one internal computer with web/SSH access to the router. I'm happy to post logs and conf files, I just don't know where to start.
[please go easy on me, I'm an old guy with 40+ years of *nix and programming experience, but little networking experience past necessity.] Post problems I disabled ipv6, but this had no effect.

I've spent days searching and check logs, but I'm at a dead end... so It's time to ask for help.

Thanks in advance.

Also I've noticed this in the log,

Sat Jan 27 15:19:49 2024 daemon.info dnsmasq-dhcp[1]: DHCPINFORM(br-lan) 192.168.96.113 18:03:73:ad:53:6b
Sat Jan 27 15:19:49 2024 daemon.info dnsmasq-dhcp[1]: DHCPACK(br-lan) 192.168.96.113 18:03:73:ad:53:6b Production
Sat Jan 27 15:27:02 2024 daemon.info dnsmasq-dhcp[1]: DHCPREQUEST(br-lan) 192.168.96.109 00:18:f8:01:ef:a1
Sat Jan 27 15:27:02 2024 daemon.info dnsmasq-dhcp[1]: DHCPACK(br-lan) 192.168.96.109 00:18:f8:01:ef:a1 LinksysPAP
Sat Jan 27 15:29:49 2024 daemon.info dnsmasq-dhcp[1]: DHCPINFORM(br-lan) 192.168.96.113 18:03:73:ad:53:6b
Sat Jan 27 15:29:49 2024 daemon.info dnsmasq-dhcp[1]: DHCPACK(br-lan) 192.168.96.113 18:03:73:ad:53:6b Production
Sat Jan 27 15:34:24 2024 daemon.info dnsmasq-dhcp[1]: DHCPINFORM(br-lan) 192.168.96.113 18:03:73:ad:53:6b
Sat Jan 27 15:34:24 2024 daemon.info dnsmasq-dhcp[1]: DHCPACK(br-lan) 192.168.96.113 18:03:73:ad:53:6b Production
Sat Jan 27 15:39:50 2024 daemon.info dnsmasq-dhcp[1]: DHCPINFORM(br-lan) 192.168.96.113 18:03:73:ad:53:6b
Sat Jan 27 15:39:50 2024 daemon.info dnsmasq-dhcp[1]: DHCPACK(br-lan) 192.168.96.113 18:03:73:ad:53:6b Production
Sat Jan 27 15:46:43 2024 daemon.info dnsmasq-dhcp[1]: DHCPINFORM(br-lan) 192.168.96.132 18:03:73:ad:2b:e4
Sat Jan 27 15:46:43 2024 daemon.info dnsmasq-dhcp[1]: DHCPACK(br-lan) 192.168.96.132 18:03:73:ad:2b:e4 DJ
Sat Jan 27 15:49:50 2024 daemon.info dnsmasq-dhcp[1]: DHCPINFORM(br-lan) 192.168.96.113 18:03:73:ad:53:6b
Sat Jan 27 15:49:50 2024 daemon.info dnsmasq-dhcp[1]: DHCPACK(br-lan) 192.168.96.113 18:03:73:ad:53:6b Production
Sat Jan 27 15:59:50 2024 daemon.info dnsmasq-dhcp[1]: DHCPINFORM(br-lan) 192.168.96.113 18:03:73:ad:53:6b
Sat Jan 27 15:59:50 2024 daemon.info dnsmasq-dhcp[1]: DHCPACK(br-lan) 192.168.96.113 18:03:73:ad:53:6b Production
Sat Jan 27 16:04:24 2024 daemon.info dnsmasq-dhcp[1]: DHCPINFORM(br-lan) 192.168.96.113 18:03:73:ad:53:6b
Sat Jan 27 16:04:24 2024 daemon.info dnsmasq-dhcp[1]: DHCPACK(br-lan) 192.168.96.113 18:03:73:ad:53:6b Production
Sat Jan 27 16:09:50 2024 daemon.info dnsmasq-dhcp[1]: DHCPINFORM(br-lan) 192.168.96.113 18:03:73:ad:53:6b
Sat Jan 27 16:09:50 2024 daemon.info dnsmasq-dhcp[1]: DHCPACK(br-lan) 192.168.96.113 18:03:73:ad:53:6b Production
Sat Jan 27 16:16:43 2024 daemon.info dnsmasq-dhcp[1]: DHCPINFORM(br-lan) 192.168.96.132 18:03:73:ad:2b:e4
Sat Jan 27 16:16:43 2024 daemon.info dnsmasq-dhcp[1]: DHCPACK(br-lan) 192.168.96.132 18:03:73:ad:2b:e4 DJ
Sat Jan 27 16:19:50 2024 daemon.info dnsmasq-dhcp[1]: DHCPINFORM(br-lan) 192.168.96.113 18:03:73:ad:53:6b
Sat Jan 27 16:19:50 2024 daemon.info dnsmasq-dhcp[1]: DHCPACK(br-lan) 192.168.96.113 18:03:73:ad:53:6b Production
Sat Jan 27 16:29:50 2024 daemon.info dnsmasq-dhcp[1]: DHCPINFORM(br-lan) 192.168.96.113 18:03:73:ad:53:6b
Sat Jan 27 16:29:50 2024 daemon.info dnsmasq-dhcp[1]: DHCPACK(br-lan) 192.168.96.113 18:03:73:ad:53:6b Production
Sat Jan 27 16:34:24 2024 daemon.info dnsmasq-dhcp[1]: DHCPINFORM(br-lan) 192.168.96.113 18:03:73:ad:53:6b
Sat Jan 27 16:34:24 2024 daemon.info dnsmasq-dhcp[1]: DHCPACK(br-lan) 192.168.96.113 18:03:73:ad:53:6b Production
Sat Jan 27 16:39:50 2024 daemon.info dnsmasq-dhcp[1]: DHCPINFORM(br-lan) 192.168.96.113 18:03:73:ad:53:6b
Sat Jan 27 16:39:50 2024 daemon.info dnsmasq-dhcp[1]: DHCPACK(br-lan) 192.168.96.113 18:03:73:ad:53:6b Production
Sat Jan 27 16:46:45 2024 daemon.info dnsmasq-dhcp[1]: DHCPINFORM(br-lan) 192.168.96.132 18:03:73:ad:2b:e4
Sat Jan 27 16:46:45 2024 daemon.info dnsmasq-dhcp[1]: DHCPACK(br-lan) 192.168.96.132 18:03:73:ad:2b:e4 DJ
Sat Jan 27 16:49:50 2024 daemon.info dnsmasq-dhcp[1]: DHCPINFORM(br-lan) 192.168.96.113 18:03:73:ad:53:6b
Sat Jan 27 16:49:50 2024 daemon.info dnsmasq-dhcp[1]: DHCPACK(br-lan) 192.168.96.113 18:03:73:ad:53:6b Production
Sat Jan 27 16:59:50 2024 daemon.info dnsmasq-dhcp[1]: DHCPINFORM(br-lan) 192.168.96.113 18:03:73:ad:53:6b
Sat Jan 27 16:59:50 2024 daemon.info dnsmasq-dhcp[1]: DHCPACK(br-lan) 192.168.96.113 18:03:73:ad:53:6b Production
Sat Jan 27 17:01:30 2024 daemon.info dnsmasq-dhcp[1]: DHCPREQUEST(br-lan) 192.168.96.113 18:03:73:ad:53:6b
Sat Jan 27 17:01:30 2024 daemon.info dnsmasq-dhcp[1]: DHCPACK(br-lan) 192.168.96.113 18:03:73:ad:53:6b Production
Sat Jan 27 17:04:24 2024 daemon.info dnsmasq-dhcp[1]: DHCPINFORM(br-lan) 192.168.96.113 18:03:73:ad:53:6b
Sat Jan 27 17:04:24 2024 daemon.info dnsmasq-dhcp[1]: DHCPACK(br-lan) 192.168.96.113 18:03:73:ad:53:6b Production
Sat Jan 27 17:09:50 2024 daemon.info dnsmasq-dhcp[1]: DHCPINFORM(br-lan) 192.168.96.113 18:03:73:ad:53:6b
Sat Jan 27 17:09:50 2024 daemon.info dnsmasq-dhcp[1]: DHCPACK(br-lan) 192.168.96.113 18:03:73:ad:53:6b Production

Please connect to your OpenWrt device using ssh and copy the output of the following commands and post it here using the "Preformatted text </> " button:
grafik
Remember to redact passwords, MAC addresses and any public IP addresses you may have:

ubus call system board
cat /etc/config/network
cat /etc/config/wireless
cat /etc/config/dhcp
cat /etc/config/firewall
cat /etc/config/openvpn
1 Like
# ubus call system board
{
        "kernel": "5.15.134",
        "hostname": "Whos",
        "system": "MediaTek MT7621 ver:1 eco:3",
        "model": "Linksys EA7500 v2",
        "board_name": "linksys,ea7500-v2",
        "rootfs_type": "squashfs",
        "release": {
                "distribution": "OpenWrt",
                "version": "23.05.0",
                "revision": "r23497-6637af95aa",
                "target": "ramips/mt7621",
                "description": "OpenWrt 23.05.0 r23497-6637af95aa"
        }
}

# cat /etc/config/network

config interface 'loopback'
        option device 'lo'
        option proto 'static'
        option ipaddr '127.0.0.1'
        option netmask '255.0.0.0'

config globals 'globals'
        option ula_prefix 'fd98:62f0:329f::/48'

config device
        option name 'br-lan'
        option type 'bridge'
        list ports 'lan1'
        list ports 'lan2'
        list ports 'lan3'
        list ports 'lan4'

config device
        option name 'lan1'
        option macaddr '24:f5:a2:8f:7a:fa'

config device
        option name 'lan2'
        option macaddr '24:f5:a2:8f:7a:fa'

config device
        option name 'lan3'
        option macaddr '24:f5:a2:8f:7a:fa'

config device
        option name 'lan4'
        option macaddr '24:f5:a2:8f:7a:fa'

config interface 'lan'
        option device 'br-lan'c/config
        option proto 'static'
        option ipaddr '192.168.96.1'
        option netmask '255.255.255.0'
        option ip6assign '60'
        option ipv6 '0'
        option delegate '0'

config device
        option name 'wan'
        option macaddr '24:f5:a2:8f:7a:fa'

config interface 'wan'
        option device 'wan'
        option proto 'dhcp'
        option ipv6 '0'

config interface 'Guest'
        option proto 'static'
        option ipaddr '192.168.196.1'
        option netmask '255.255.255.0'
        list dns '8.8.8.8'
>
# cat /etc/config/wireless

config wifi-device 'radio0'
        option type 'mac80211'
        option path '1e140000.pcie/pci0000:00/0000:00:00.0/0000:01:00.0'
        option channel '1'
        option band '2g'
        option htmode 'HT20'
        option cell_density '0'

config wifi-iface 'default_radio0'
        option device 'radio0'
        option network 'Guest'
        option mode 'ap'
        option ssid 'redacted'
        option encryption 'sae-mixed'
        option key 'redacted'
        option isolate '1'
        option disabled '1'

config wifi-device 'radio1'
        option type 'mac80211'
        option path '1e140000.pcie/pci0000:00/0000:00:01.0/0000:02:00.0'
        option channel '36'
        option band '5g'
        option htmode 'VHT80'
        option cell_density '0'
        option disabled '1'

config wifi-iface 'default_radio1'
        option device 'radio1'
        option network 'lan'
        option mode 'ap'
        option ssid 'redacted'
        option encryption 'sae-mixed'
        option key 'redacted'
        option disabled '1'

config wifi-iface 'wifinet2'
        option device 'radio0'
        option mode 'ap'
        option ssid 'redacted'
        option encryption 'sae-mixed'
        option key 'redacted'
        option network 'lan'
# cat /etc/config/dhcp

config dnsmasq
        option domainneeded '1'
        option localise_queries '1'
        option rebind_protection '1'
        option rebind_localhost '1'
        option local '/lan/'
        option domain 'lan'
        option expandhosts '1'
        option cachesize '1000'
        option authoritative '1'
        option readethers '1'
        option leasefile '/tmp/dhcp.leases'
        option resolvfile '/tmp/resolv.conf.d/resolv.conf.auto'
        option localservice '1'
        option ednspacket_max '1232'

config dhcp 'lan'
        option interface 'lan'
        option start '100'
        option limit '150'
        option leasetime '12h'
        option dhcpv4 'server'

config dhcp 'wan'
        option interface 'wan'
        option ignore '1'

config odhcpd 'odhcpd'
        option maindhcp '0'
        option leasefile '/tmp/hosts/odhcpd'
        option leasetrigger '/usr/sbin/odhcpd-update'
        option loglevel '4'

config host
        option name 'LinksP'
        option mac '00:18:F8:01:EF:A1'
        option ip '192.168.96.109'

config host
        option name 'ESP-5AAF16'
        option mac 'C4:5B:BE:5A:AF:16'
        option ip '192.168.96.112'

config host
        option name 'Production'
        option mac '18:03:73:AD:53:6B'
        option ip '192.168.96.113'

config host
        option name 'EAS'
        option mac '00:02:7C:00:FC:D5'
        option ip '192.168.96.119'

config host
        option name 'DJ'
        option mac '18:03:73:AD:2B:E4'
        option ip '192.168.96.132'

config host
        option name 'freenas'
        option mac '00:14:38:CE:F4:26'
        option ip '192.168.96.143'

config host
        option name 'Recption'
        option mac 'B8:CA:3A:7F:F1:A5'
        option ip '192.168.96.144'
        option dns '1'

config host
        option name 'Camera'
        option mac '4C:11:BF:F5:34:6C'
        option ip '192.168.96.145'
        option dns '1'

config host
        option name 'second'
        option mac '34:17:EB:CB:98:AB'
        option ip '192.168.96.147'
        option dns '1'

config host
        option name 'second'
        option mac '00:21:70:6F:92:C6'
        option ip '192.168.96.148'

config host
        option name 'HP'
        option mac '00:04:EA:CB:DD:C0'
        option ip '192.168.96.102'

config dhcp 'Guest'
        option interface 'Guest'
        option start '100'
        option limit '150'
        option leasetime '12h'

# cat /etc/config/firewall

config defaults
        option input 'REJECT'
        option output 'ACCEPT'
        option forward 'REJECT'
        option synflood_protect '1'

config zone 'lan'
        option name 'lan'
        option input 'ACCEPT'
        option output 'ACCEPT'
        option forward 'ACCEPT'
        list device 'tun+'
        list network 'lan'

config zone 'wan'
        option name 'wan'
        option input 'REJECT'
        option output 'ACCEPT'
        option forward 'REJECT'
        option masq '1'
        option mtu_fix '1'
        list network 'wan'
        list network 'Guest'

config forwarding
        option src 'lan'
        option dest 'wan'

config rule
        option name 'Allow-DHCP-Renew'
        option src 'wan'
        option proto 'udp'
        option dest_port '68'
        option target 'ACCEPT'
        option family 'ipv4'

config rule
        option name 'Allow-Ping'
        option src 'wan'
        option proto 'icmp'
        option icmp_type 'echo-request'
        option family 'ipv4'
        option target 'ACCEPT'

config rule
        option name 'Allow-IGMP'
        option src 'wan'
        option proto 'igmp'
        option family 'ipv4'
        option target 'ACCEPT'

config rule
        option name 'Allow-DHCPv6'
        option src 'wan'
        option proto 'udp'
        option dest_port '546'
        option family 'ipv6'
        option target 'ACCEPT'

config rule
        option name 'Allow-MLD'
        option src 'wan'
        option proto 'icmp'
        option src_ip 'fe80::/10'
        list icmp_type '130/0'
        list icmp_type '131/0'
        list icmp_type '132/0'
        list icmp_type '143/0'
        option family 'ipv6'
        option target 'ACCEPT'

config rule
        option name 'Allow-ICMPv6-Input'
        option src 'wan'
        option proto 'icmp'
        list icmp_type 'echo-request'
        list icmp_type 'echo-reply'
        list icmp_type 'destination-unreachable'
        list icmp_type 'packet-too-big'
        list icmp_type 'time-exceeded'
        list icmp_type 'bad-header'
        list icmp_type 'unknown-header-type'
        list icmp_type 'router-solicitation'
        list icmp_type 'neighbour-solicitation'
        list icmp_type 'router-advertisement'
        list icmp_type 'neighbour-advertisement'
        option limit '1000/sec'
        option family 'ipv6'
        option target 'ACCEPT'

config rule
        option name 'Allow-ICMPv6-Forward'
        option src 'wan'
        option dest '*'
        option proto 'icmp'
        list icmp_type 'echo-request'
        list icmp_type 'echo-reply'
        list icmp_type 'destination-unreachable'
        list icmp_type 'packet-too-big'
        list icmp_type 'time-exceeded'
        list icmp_type 'bad-header'
        list icmp_type 'unknown-header-type'
        option limit '1000/sec'
        option family 'ipv6'
        option target 'ACCEPT'

config rule
        option name 'Allow-IPSec-ESP'
        option src 'wan'
        option dest 'lan'
        option proto 'esp'
        option target 'ACCEPT'

config rule
        option name 'Allow-ISAKMP'
        option src 'wan'
        option dest 'lan'
        option dest_port '500'
        option proto 'udp'
        option target 'ACCEPT'

config redirect
        option name 'ATA remote access'
        option src 'wan'
        option proto 'tcpudp'
        option dest_ip '192.168.96.109'
        option target 'DNAT'
        option dest 'lan'

config redirect
        option name 'Cam'
        option src 'wan'
        option proto 'tcp'
        option src_dport '37777'
        option dest_ip '192.168.96.145'
        option target 'DNAT'
        option dest 'lan'

config redirect
        option name 'FreeNAS Web Access'
        option src 'wan'
        option proto 'tcpudp'
        option src_dport '9497'
        option dest_ip '192.168.96.143'
        option dest_port '80'
        option target 'DNAT'
        option dest 'lan'

config redirect
        option name 'NextCloud'
        option src 'wan'
        option proto 'tcp'
        option src_dport '6398'
        option dest_ip '192.168.96.110'
        option dest_port '443'
        option target 'DNAT'
        option dest 'lan'

config redirect
        option name 'REMOTE DJ'
        option src 'wan'
        option src_dport '2323'
        option dest_ip '192.168.96.132'
        option target 'DNAT'
        option dest 'lan'
        list proto 'tcp'
        list proto 'udp'

config redirect
        option name 'RTP Linksys'
        option src 'wan'
        option proto 'udp'
        option src_dport '10000-10099'
        option dest_ip '192.168.96.104'
        option target 'DNAT'
        option dest 'lan'

config redirect
        option name 'SIP Linksys'
        option src 'wan'
        option proto 'tcp'
        option src_dport '5060-5069'
        option dest_ip '192.168.96.104'
        option target 'DNAT'
        option dest 'lan'
        option enabled '0'

config redirect
        option name 'SIP Production'
        option src 'wan'
        option proto 'tcp'
        option src_dport '5080-5089'
        option dest_ip '192.168.96.101'
        option target 'DNAT'
        option dest 'lan'
        option enabled '0'

config redirect
        option name 'SSH Freenas'
        option src 'wan'
        option proto 'tcp'
        option src_dport '33312'
        option dest_ip '192.168.96.143'
        option dest_port '22'
        option target 'DNAT'
        option dest 'lan'
        option enabled '0'

config redirect
        option name 'Studio Monitor'
        option src 'wan'
        option proto 'tcpudp'
        option src_dport '33232'
        option dest_ip '192.168.96.132'
        option target 'DNAT'
        option dest 'lan'

config redirect
        option name 'Truenas SSL'
        option src 'wan'
        option proto 'tcp'
        option src_dport '9498'
        option dest_ip '192.168.96.143'
        option dest_port '443'
        option target 'DNAT'
        option dest 'lan'

config redirect
        option name 'VOIP admin'
        option src 'wan'
        option proto 'tcp'
        option src_dport '8222'
        option dest_ip '192.168.96.104'
        option dest_port '80'
        option target 'DNAT'
        option dest 'lan'

config rule 'ovpn'
        option name 'Allow-OpenVPN'
        option src 'wan'
        option target 'ACCEPT'

config zone
        option name 'guest'
        option input 'REJECT'
        option output 'ACCEPT'
        option forward 'REJECT'
        list network 'lan'

config forwarding
        option src 'guest'
        option dest 'wan'

config rule
        option name 'guest-DHCP'
        list proto 'udp'
        option src 'guest'
        option dest_port '67'
        option target 'ACCEPT'

config rule
        option name 'guest-block-internal'
        option src 'guest'
        option dest 'lan'
        option target 'DROP'
        option enabled '0'

config redirect
        option target 'DNAT'
        option name 'SSH WAN'
        option src 'wan'
        option src_dport '33333'
        option dest_ip '192.168.96.1'
        option dest_port '22'
# cat /etc/config/openvpn
package openvpn

#################################################
# Sample to include a custom config file.       #
#################################################

config openvpn custom_config

        # Set to 1 to enable this instance:
        option enabled 0

        # Credentials to login
        #option username 'login'
        #option password 'password'

        # Password for client certificate
        #option cert_password 'cert_password'

        # Include OpenVPN configuration
        option config /etc/openvpn/my-vpn.conf


#################################################
# Sample OpenVPN 2.0 uci config for             #
# multi-client server.                          #
#################################################

config openvpn sample_server

        # Set to 1 to enable this instance:
        option enabled 0

        # Which local IP address should OpenVPN
        # listen on? (optional)
#       option local 0.0.0.0

        # Which TCP/UDP port should OpenVPN listen on?
        # If you want to run multiple OpenVPN instances
        # on the same machine, use a different port
        # number for each one.  You will need to
        # open up this port on your firewall.
        option port 1194

        # TCP or UDP server?
#       option proto tcp
        option proto udp

        # "dev tun" will create a routed IP tunnel,
        # "dev tap" will create an ethernet tunnel.
        # Use "dev tap0" if you are ethernet bridging
        # and have precreated a tap0 virtual interface
        # and bridged it with your ethernet interface.
        # If you want to control access policies
        # over the VPN, you must create firewall
        # rules for the the TUN/TAP interface.
        # On non-Windows systems, you can give
        # an explicit unit number, such as tun0.
        # On Windows, use "dev-node" for this.
        # On most systems, the VPN will not function
        # unless you partially or fully disable
        # the firewall for the TUN/TAP interface.
#       option dev tap
        option dev tun

        # SSL/TLS root certificate (ca), certificate
        # (cert), and private key (key).  Each client
        # and the server must have their own cert and
        # key file.  The server and all clients will
        # use the same ca file.
        #
        # See the "easy-rsa" directory for a series
        # of scripts for generating RSA certificates
        # and private keys.  Remember to use
        # a unique Common Name for the server
        # and each of the client certificates.
        #
        # Any X509 key management system can be used.
        # OpenVPN can also use a PKCS #12 formatted key file
        # (see "pkcs12" directive in man page).
        option ca /etc/openvpn/ca.crt
        option cert /etc/openvpn/server.crt
        # This file should be kept secret:
        option key /etc/openvpn/server.key

        # Diffie hellman parameters.
        # Generate your own with:
        #   openssl dhparam -out dh2048.pem 2048
        # Substitute 2048 for 1024 if you are using
        # 1024 bit keys.
        option dh /etc/openvpn/dh2048.pem

        # Configure server mode and supply a VPN subnet
        # for OpenVPN to draw client addresses from.
        # The server will take 10.8.0.1 for itself,
        # the rest will be made available to clients.
        # Each client will be able to reach the server
        # on 10.8.0.1. Comment this line out if you are
        # ethernet bridging. See the man page for more info.
        option server "10.8.0.0 255.255.255.0"

        # Maintain a record of client <-> virtual IP address
        # associations in this file.  If OpenVPN goes down or
        # is restarted, reconnecting clients can be assigned
        # the same virtual IP address from the pool that was
        # previously assigned.
        option ifconfig_pool_persist /tmp/ipp.txt

        # Configure server mode for ethernet bridging.
        # You must first use your OS's bridging capability
        # to bridge the TAP interface with the ethernet
        # NIC interface.  Then you must manually set the
        # IP/netmask on the bridge interface, here we
        # assume 10.8.0.4/255.255.255.0.  Finally we
        # must set aside an IP range in this subnet
        # (start=10.8.0.50 end=10.8.0.100) to allocate
        # to connecting clients.  Leave this line commented
        # out unless you are ethernet bridging.
#       option server_bridge "10.8.0.4 255.255.255.0 10.8.0.50 10.8.0.100"

        # Push routes to the client to allow it
        # to reach other private subnets behind
        # the server.  Remember that these
        # private subnets will also need
        # to know to route the OpenVPN client
        # address pool (10.8.0.0/255.255.255.0)
        # back to the OpenVPN server.
#       list push "route 192.168.10.0 255.255.255.0"
#       list push "route 192.168.20.0 255.255.255.0"

        # To assign specific IP addresses to specific
        # clients or if a connecting client has a private
        # subnet behind it that should also have VPN access,
        # use the subdirectory "ccd" for client-specific
        # configuration files (see man page for more info).

        # EXAMPLE: Suppose the client
        # having the certificate common name "Thelonious"
        # also has a small subnet behind his connecting
        # machine, such as 192.168.40.128/255.255.255.248.
        # First, uncomment out these lines:
#       option client_config_dir /etc/openvpn/ccd
#       list route "192.168.40.128 255.255.255.248"
        # Then create a file ccd/Thelonious with this line:
        #   iroute 192.168.40.128 255.255.255.248
        # This will allow Thelonious' private subnet to
        # access the VPN.  This example will only work
        # if you are routing, not bridging, i.e. you are
        # using "dev tun" and "server" directives.

        # EXAMPLE: Suppose you want to give
        # Thelonious a fixed VPN IP address of 10.9.0.1.
        # First uncomment out these lines:
#       option client_config_dir /etc/openvpn/ccd
#       list route "10.9.0.0 255.255.255.252"
#       list route "192.168.100.0 255.255.255.0"
        # Then add this line to ccd/Thelonious:
        #   ifconfig-push "10.9.0.1 10.9.0.2"

        # Suppose that you want to enable different
        # firewall access policies for different groups
        # of clients.  There are two methods:
        # (1) Run multiple OpenVPN daemons, one for each
        #     group, and firewall the TUN/TAP interface
        #     for each group/daemon appropriately.
        # (2) (Advanced) Create a script to dynamically
        #     modify the firewall in response to access
        #     from different clients.  See man
        #     page for more info on learn-address script.
#       option learn_address /etc/openvpn/script

        # If enabled, this directive will configure
        # all clients to redirect their default
        # network gateway through the VPN, causing
        # all IP traffic such as web browsing and
        # and DNS lookups to go through the VPN
        # (The OpenVPN server machine may need to NAT
        # the TUN/TAP interface to the internet in
        # order for this to work properly).
        # CAVEAT: May break client's network config if
        # client's local DHCP server packets get routed
        # through the tunnel.  Solution: make sure
        # client's local DHCP server is reachable via
        # a more specific route than the default route
        # of 0.0.0.0/0.0.0.0.
#       list push "redirect-gateway"

        # Certain Windows-specific network settings
        # can be pushed to clients, such as DNS
        # or WINS server addresses.  CAVEAT:
        # http://openvpn.net/faq.html#dhcpcaveats
#       list push "dhcp-option DNS 10.8.0.1"
#       list push "dhcp-option WINS 10.8.0.1"

        # Uncomment this directive to allow different
        # clients to be able to "see" each other.
        # By default, clients will only see the server.
        # To force clients to only see the server, you
        # will also need to appropriately firewall the
        # server's TUN/TAP interface.
#       option client_to_client 1

        # Uncomment this directive if multiple clients
        # might connect with the same certificate/key
        # files or common names.  This is recommended
        # only for testing purposes.  For production use,
        # each client should have its own certificate/key
        # pair.
        #
        # IF YOU HAVE NOT GENERATED INDIVIDUAL
        # CERTIFICATE/KEY PAIRS FOR EACH CLIENT,
        # EACH HAVING ITS OWN UNIQUE "COMMON NAME",
        # UNCOMMENT THIS LINE OUT.
#       option duplicate_cn 1

        # The keepalive directive causes ping-like
        # messages to be sent back and forth over
        # the link so that each side knows when
        # the other side has gone down.
        # Ping every 10 seconds, assume that remote
        # peer is down if no ping received during
        # a 120 second time period.
        option keepalive "10 120"

        # For extra security beyond that provided
        # by SSL/TLS, create an "HMAC firewall"
        # to help block DoS attacks and UDP port flooding.
        #
        # Generate with:
        #   openvpn --genkey --secret ta.key
        #
        # The server and each client must have
        # a copy of this key.
        # The second parameter should be '0'
        # on the server and '1' on the clients.
        # This file is secret:
#       option tls_auth "/etc/openvpn/ta.key 0"

        # For additional privacy, a shared secret key
        # can be used for both authentication (as in tls_auth)
        # and encryption of the TLS control channel.
        #
        # Generate a shared secret with:
        # openvpn --genkey --secret ta.key
        #
        # The server and each client must have
        # a copy of this key.
        #
        # tls_auth and tls_crypt should NOT
        # be combined, as tls_crypt implies tls_auth.
        # Use EITHER tls_crypt, tls_auth, or neither option.
#       option tls_crypt "/etc/openvpn/ta.key"

        # Set the minimum required TLS protocol version
        # for all connections.
        #
        # Require at least TLS 1.1
#       option tls_version_min "1.1"
        # Require at least TLS 1.2
#       option tls_version_min "1.2"
        # Require TLS 1.2, or the highest version supported
        # on the system
#       option tls_version_min "1.2 'or-highest'"

        # List the preferred ciphers to use for the data channel.
        # Run openvpn --show-ciphers to see all supported ciphers.
#       list data_ciphers 'AES-256-GCM'
#       list data_ciphers 'AES-128-GCM'
#       list data_ciphers 'CHACHA20-POLY1305'

        # Set a fallback cipher in order to be compatible with
        # peers that do not support cipher negotiation.
        #
        # Use AES-256-CBC as fallback
#       option data_ciphers_fallback 'AES-128-CBC'
        # Use AES-128-CBC as fallback
#       option data_ciphers_fallback 'AES-256-CBC'
        # Use Triple-DES as fallback
#       option data_ciphers_fallback 'DES-EDE3-CBC'
        # Use BF-CBC as fallback
#       option data_ciphers_fallback 'BF-CBC'

        # OpenVPN versions 2.4 and later will attempt to
        # automatically negotiate the most secure cipher
        # between the client and server, regardless of a
        # configured "option cipher" (see below).
        # Automatic negotiation is recommended.
        #
        # Uncomment this option to disable this behavior,
        # and force all OpenVPN peers to use the configured
        # cipher option instead (not recommended).
#       option ncp_disable

        # Enable compression on the VPN link.
        # If you enable it here, you must also
        # enable it in the client config file.
        #
        # Compression is not recommended, as compression and
        # encryption in combination can weaken the security
        # of the connection.
        #
        # LZ4 requires OpenVPN 2.4+ client and server
#       option compress lz4
        # LZO is available by default only in openvpn-openssl variant
        # LZO is compatible with most OpenVPN versions
#       option compress lzo

        # Control how OpenVPN handles peers using compression
        #
        # Do not allow any connections using compression
#       option allow_compression 'no'
        # Allow incoming compressed packets, but do not send compressed packets to other peers
        # This can be useful when migrating old configurations with compression activated
#       option allow_compression 'asym'
        # Both incoming and outgoing packets may be compressed
#       option allow_compression 'yes'

        # The maximum number of concurrently connected
        # clients we want to allow.
#       option max_clients 100

        # The persist options will try to avoid
        # accessing certain resources on restart
        # that may no longer be accessible because
        # of the privilege downgrade.
        option persist_key 1
        option persist_tun 1
        option user nobody

        # Output a short status file showing
        # current connections, truncated
        # and rewritten every minute.
        option status /tmp/openvpn-status.log

        # By default, log messages will go to the syslog (or
        # on Windows, if running as a service, they will go to
        # the "\Program Files\OpenVPN\log" directory).
        # Use log or log-append to override this default.
        # "log" will truncate the log file on OpenVPN startup,
        # while "log-append" will append to it.  Use one
        # or the other (but not both).
#       option log         /tmp/openvpn.log
#       option log_append  /tmp/openvpn.log

        # Set the appropriate level of log
        # file verbosity.
        #
        # 0 is silent, except for fatal errors
        # 4 is reasonable for general usage
        # 5 and 6 can help to debug connection problems
        # 9 is extremely verbose
        option verb 3

        # Silence repeating messages.  At most 20
        # sequential messages of the same message
        # category will be output to the log.
#       option mute 20


##############################################
# Sample client-side OpenVPN 2.0 uci config  #
# for connecting to multi-client server.     #
##############################################

config openvpn sample_client

        # Set to 1 to enable this instance:
        option enabled 0

        # Specify that we are a client and that we
        # will be pulling certain config file directives
        # from the server.
        option client 1

        # Use the same setting as you are using on
        # the server.
        # On most systems, the VPN will not function
        # unless you partially or fully disable
        # the firewall for the TUN/TAP interface.
#       option dev tap
        option dev tun

        # Are we connecting to a TCP or
        # UDP server?  Use the same setting as
        # on the server.
#       option proto tcp
        option proto udp

        # The hostname/IP and port of the server.
        # You can have multiple remote entries
        # to load balance between the servers.
        list remote "my_server_1 1194"
#       list remote "my_server_2 1194"

        # Choose a random host from the remote
        # list for load_balancing.  Otherwise
        # try hosts in the order specified.
#       option remote_random 1

        # Keep trying indefinitely to resolve the
        # host name of the OpenVPN server.  Very useful
        # on machines which are not permanently connected
        # to the internet such as laptops.
        option resolv_retry infinite

        # Most clients don't need to bind to
        # a specific local port number.
        option nobind 1

        # Try to preserve some state across restarts.
        option persist_key 1
        option persist_tun 1
        option user nobody

        # Set log file verbosity.
        option verb 3

        # Silence repeating messages
#       option mute 20

No suggestions? Nothing?

no help here so I'm starting over with different hardware - assuming hardware problems.