Well, on a recent trip I tried to connect to my home VPN server while using a public WIFI system at a Texas State Park. It would not connect. I am now assuming that for some reason, some networks do not allow the use of tunnel VPN's. I'm going to keep sampling other public networks to see if this is a trend.
That is possible, they could be blocking UDP port 1194, which is a common OpenVPN UDP port.
For on-the-go users, check out Tailscale VPN. It's free for individual users and is a super intuitive, easy-to-setup, Wireguard (faster than OVPN) based system. You can set up multiple exit nodes (gateways from your private net to public). The Tailscale app is built into several GL-Inet routers, which are popular with us RVers.
Thanks so much for this! I've been looking for a free solution that allows me to access my workstation remotely that is on Starlink. Tailscale does it! My workstation is on Starlink, and my tablet, connected to my phone's hotspot, can connect via ssh and VNC! Awesome!
Your assumption is correct. Also, If you are using your home IP Address to connect to your home VPN, verify if your home IP is still the same or if it has changed. If so, you can update the IP in your configuration file. I had this happen when I was out of town and not able to get the new IP (unless someone was home). I started using DDNS to resolve this issue.
Thanks for this, I have an GL-iNet router. I don't see Tailscale VPN as an option. How would I get that activated?
It is VERY common for public service(s) that are free to block the ability to create a tunnel (VPN) on their network. Or, if they dont block it, they rate limit it so much that it is not usable. They do this for a number of reasons, but the most popular reason is they want to see what is being used on their network so they an put a level of priority on what matters to the location. for example, if all they see are VPN tunnels, they have no idea how much netflix, Disney+, Hulu, ESPN etc is being streamed and is that what they want the majority of the bandwidth consumed by in the campground or location. There are other reasons too, but this one is key on the public side when trying to offer service to everyone.
From a networking perspective, there is not a rule that says you have to run your VPN on port # <blah>. You can configure this in many cases, and if you were to choose something that is not "well-known", you might have a better chance of cranking up your VPN while on the road. The VPN packets would be the same, which are "ESP" packets and again, many networks can rate limit those so be aware of that.
Not shocked about what has been posted on this thread. I see some crazy stuff on our travels to be honest. I work for Cisco, so there is no shortage of networking hacks in place to get around just about anything these days though
Good luck-
From a networking perspective, there is not a rule that says you have to run your VPN on port # <blah>. You can configure this in many cases, and if you were to choose something that is not "well-known", you might have a better chance of cranking up your VPN while on the road. The VPN packets would be the same, which are "ESP" packets and again, many networks can rate limit those so be aware of that.
Not shocked about what has been posted on this thread. I see some crazy stuff on our travels to be honest. I work for Cisco, so there is no shortage of networking hacks in place to get around just about anything these days though
Good luck-
Yeah, they're doing cool stuff. I'm an investor in them and met them at the RSA conference last week. Really dig what they're up to. That and they have probably the best documentation/educational materials on their website of any comparable Series A startup.
OK, now I see why I don't have it, I have the Opal model, and Tailscale is not supported on it. I'm not that familiar with VPN tunnels, the Opal does have the Wireguard VPN, would that work as well as the Tailscale?
No, in short they are similar technology.
WireGuard is point-to-point, between your home and your mobile device.
TailScale is multipoint-to-cloud. Essentially, you connect your home and mobile to their private cloud server via WireGuard-esque VPN service and it routes you to your devices, so, if you have a couple of devices that need to access your home device, all three connect to the TailScale cloud server on your own IP range, and connect to any of the devices as needed. TailScale supports many protocols as well.
Not sure how nuts you wanna get with a $60 router, but you should be able to flash Golden Orb or the OpenWRT package for that router and load up Tailscale. I have a Beryl router myself and am thinking of doing the same. Just too lazy to go out and uncover the TT right now.
This is not the problem as Asus offers a free service to mimic a static I.P. address. When I could not access my server on the public WIFI I could still access it on cellular data.
I feel MoonShadow is probably right on their blocking a UDP port. This is not really a big deal for me. Just thought I had ran across a free lunch when needing privacy on a public network.
Not sure how nuts you wanna get with a $60 router, but you should be able to flash Golden Orb or the OpenWRT package for that router and load up Tailscale. I have a Beryl router myself and am thinking of doing the same. Just too lazy to go out and uncover the TT right now.
OK, that sounds like a project I should add to my "list".
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