Adding ExpressVPN to Existing OpenVPN Inbound Access

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DBB
DD-WRT Novice


Joined: 10 Dec 2016
Posts: 40

PostPosted: Fri May 14, 2021 22:22    Post subject: Adding ExpressVPN to Existing OpenVPN Inbound Access Reply with quote
I would like to add the ExpressVPN service to my router, but have an existing OpenVPN server configuration that allows me to connect to my home network remotely.

Is it possible for the two to co-exist? I've spoken to an ExpressVPN person who said I could not do both, due to DNS considerations.

I have what amounts to a static IP through my broadband provider, but I also use a dynamic DNS service.

If anyone can point me to a solution, I'd be very grateful. I'm not married to OpenVPN, but having secure, remote access to my home network via the OpenVPN configuration has saved my butt a couple of times, so I'm really not keen on giving that functionality up.

Thanks,
DBB
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eibgrad
DD-WRT Guru


Joined: 18 Sep 2010
Posts: 9157

PostPosted: Sat May 15, 2021 5:13    Post subject: Reply with quote
Yes, you can have both an OpenVPN server and OpenVPN client at the same time on the router, *provided* the OpenVPN client is using PBR (policy based routing). That removes the OpenVPN client itself from the VPN, making the router reachable by clients of your OpenVPN server.

Also, make sure your OpenVPN server's tunnel network (e.g., 10.8.0.0/24) does NOT conflict w/ any used by ExpressVPN's OpenVPN servers.

_________________
ddwrt-ovpn-split-basic.sh (UPDATED!) * ddwrt-ovpn-split-advanced.sh (UPDATED!) * ddwrt-ovpn-client-killswitch.sh * ddwrt-ovpn-client-watchdog.sh * ddwrt-ovpn-remote-access.sh * ddwrt-ovpn-client-backup.sh * ddwrt-mount-usb-drives.sh * ddwrt-blacklist-domains.sh * ddwrt-wol-port-forward.sh * ddwrt-dns-monitor.sh (NEW!)
egc
DD-WRT Guru


Joined: 18 Mar 2014
Posts: 12815
Location: Netherlands

PostPosted: Sat May 15, 2021 6:03    Post subject: Re: Adding ExpressVPN to Existing OpenVPN Inbound Access Reply with quote
DBB wrote:
I would like to add the ExpressVPN service to my router, but have an existing OpenVPN server configuration that allows me to connect to my home network remotely.

Is it possible for the two to co-exist? I've spoken to an ExpressVPN person who said I could not do both, due to DNS considerations.

I have what amounts to a static IP through my broadband provider, but I also use a dynamic DNS service.

If anyone can point me to a solution, I'd be very grateful. I'm not married to OpenVPN, but having secure, remote access to my home network via the OpenVPN configuration has saved my butt a couple of times, so I'm really not keen on giving that functionality up.

Thanks,
DBB


It is always helpful if you state router model and build number some router/builds do not have all possibilities

To get the best out of DDWRT and the forum read the forum guidelines with helpful pointers:
https://forum.dd-wrt.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=324087

If you have not already read the forum guidelines, please do !!

The OpenVPN documentation is a sticky in this forum.
The OpenVPN server setup guide has a paragraph about running a client and server at the same router (as @eibgrad already stated you have to use PBR)

You can also consider setting up a WireGuard server but of course the same holds true, you have to use PBR for the client

_________________
Routers:Netgear R7000, R6400v1, R6400v2, EA6900 (XvortexCFE), E2000, E1200v1, WRT54GS v1.
Install guide R6400v2, R6700v3,XR300:https://forum.dd-wrt.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=316399
Install guide R7800/XR500: https://forum.dd-wrt.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=320614
Forum Guide Lines (important read):https://forum.dd-wrt.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=324087
DBB
DD-WRT Novice


Joined: 10 Dec 2016
Posts: 40

PostPosted: Tue May 18, 2021 1:41    Post subject: Reply with quote
eibgrad wrote:
Yes, you can have both an OpenVPN server and OpenVPN client at the same time on the router, *provided* the OpenVPN client is using PBR (policy based routing). That removes the OpenVPN client itself from the VPN, making the router reachable by clients of your OpenVPN server.

Also, make sure your OpenVPN server's tunnel network (e.g., 10.8.0.0/24) does NOT conflict w/ any used by ExpressVPN's OpenVPN servers.


egc wrote:
The OpenVPN server setup guide has a paragraph about running a client and server at the same router (as @eibgrad already stated you have to use PBR)

You can also consider setting up a WireGuard server but of course the same holds true, you have to use PBR for the client


Thanks for the pointers, folks. I finally was able to find the OpenVPN sticky, and will try and muddle through. Kind of figured maybe others had done the same thing, and that there were some more concise general guidelines on doing this.

But first, I think I'm going to have to break down and try and upgrade from the v3.0-r35531 version I'm running on my Netgear DIR-890. Last attempt at doing so, I ended up having to reload stock and start over until I found a sweet spot among the versions. I don't live and breath this stuff on a daily basis, and with so many variants it becomes a major, time consuming ordeal. With students in the house needing internet access, the window of opportunity to upgrade rarely presents itself.

Stay tuned. I'm sure I'll continue to post here as I go along until I can tack a [SOLVED] to this.

Thanks, again.
DBB
egc
DD-WRT Guru


Joined: 18 Mar 2014
Posts: 12815
Location: Netherlands

PostPosted: Tue May 18, 2021 10:03    Post subject: Reply with quote
Upgrading instructions, where to find files and how to research are in the forum guidelines.

Usually we say use the latest build unless the build thread indicates show stoppers but in this case I am not sure what to advise.

Broadcom routers are going through a transitional state and I think your router is using Broadcoms DHD which might make it somewhat more tricky.

Maybe use the last build before the transition to using swconfig which is 46446 (I think, not sure about this)

But wait for others to advise

_________________
Routers:Netgear R7000, R6400v1, R6400v2, EA6900 (XvortexCFE), E2000, E1200v1, WRT54GS v1.
Install guide R6400v2, R6700v3,XR300:https://forum.dd-wrt.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=316399
Install guide R7800/XR500: https://forum.dd-wrt.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=320614
Forum Guide Lines (important read):https://forum.dd-wrt.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=324087
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