After having spend so many hours reading this forum, i am finally going to write my first post as i wasnt able to find any answers to what i am trying to achieve.
Firmware: DD-WRT v3.0-r41892 std (01/05/20)
Linksys WRT1900ACS
Marvell Armada 385
Apple MAC user
I have a fiber ISP. The ISP provides the modem/router to which i connect my router.
The modem provided by the ISP is behind another modem.
Objectives:
To cut the long story short, what i am trying to achieve is to connect to my home network when outside for work. I also have a synology NAS already plugged in which works fine if i connect through Synology Servers (Https) but i cannot connect to it directly (port forwarding).
I contracted the ISP provided and they suggested / told me that they would be able to give me an public IP address but i would need to connect via PPPoE.
The questions i have are:
1) I see that DD-WRT could handle PPPeE fiber connectivity but i read that it doesnt not seem to be stable. In many forums, the suggestion was to still use a Modem and let the modem do all the PPPE stuff. Can anyone opine on this point?
2) Port forwarding from the ISP provider modem/router to my WRT does not work, because the ISP provider cannot really do anything on the other router. I guess that if i want to access my NAS (and my home network) I have no other than going for the PPPOE right (5000, 5001 (synology's port ) are blocked). Any suggestion here?
3) I extensively explored the possibility to use a VPN server to bypass the double modem situation described about but to no avail. PPTP protocol does not seem to be very safe and also apple removed it with Catalina.
I tried to install the Open VPN server but this seems to be very difficult, at least for a novice like myself. There are many forum on how to do that, but it is beyond my comprehension, is there some sort of plug and play option?
what about Sofether. I saw that it is an option, but again seems nothing simple.
Usually the first box behind a fibre connection does "change the fibre into copper" (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Network_interface_device#Optical_network_terminals)
The second box you mentioned seems to be the router provided by your ISP.
The WRT1900 is a 2nd router behind a first router.
As my WRT1900ACS v2 is able to use PPPoE to do a dial in (tested it a few weeks ago) it should be possible to set the ISP provided device into Bridge mode and use PPPoE on your WRT1900 to also dial in and receive a public IP.
You need to do the readup somewhere in the knowledgebase of your ISP, how to set its device into Bridge mode / how to insert your PPPoE Data.
If you prefer a VPN solution, have a closer look into Wireguard: https://forum.dd-wrt.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=322206
(you need to be logged in) Download the excellent Wireguard Guide written by egc.
The goal of Wireguard is to establish a easy to configure VPN solution. It is still work in progress but in my opinion a lot easier to maintan and understand than OpenVPN.
Most recent release (04/20/2020 - r42954) of DD-WRT firmware is able to connect to another Endpoint and also route traffic through the endpoints WAN interface.
Currently I use it to connect my devices to a small server and access my home devices from anywhere.
many thanks for your reply - very helpful to clarify few points.
i guess the key takeaways for me are:
- upgrade to latest version for the Endpoint connectivity (not sure what exactly is) but i guess i will find it in the forum unless you would be able to shed some light?
- have a look at the VPN connectivity in the link you posted
It looks like someone with your WRT1900 tested this device as functioning.
In the linked post have a closer look into ftp / http download folders.
If a new folder is created this means a new release is available.
Usually the same day Build threads are created by active dd-wrt users to gather feedback.
Give this release a few days and if no one mentions malfunctions, go ahead and update your device
The downloads are not there for 43012 currently due to issues that are being resolved. You will have to wait until the new images are uploaded.
i guess they have being taken down in the last couple of hours because earlier this morning i was able to download it and flash it. It seems to be working ok but i will keep an eye on the folder so that i can get the newer release - thanks
It looks like someone with your WRT1900 tested this device as functioning.
In the linked post have a closer look into ftp / http download folders.
If a new folder is created this means a new release is available.
Usually the same day Build threads are created by active dd-wrt users to gather feedback.
Give this release a few days and if no one mentions malfunctions, go ahead and update your device
thanks - i took and flashed it and it seems to be working ok . I also found the new tunneling that you mentioned in your earlier post.
you mentioned that you managed to get the PPPoE working with your WRT router. I understand your comment about using the ISP modem (they call it "the cube") in a bridge mode, but my doubt is if I need it at all. Meaning, can my 1900 ACS WRT router do the PPPOE stuff or do I need to have the modem anyway?
It looks like someone with your WRT1900 tested this device as functioning.
In the linked post have a closer look into ftp / http download folders.
If a new folder is created this means a new release is available.
Usually the same day Build threads are created by active dd-wrt users to gather feedback.
Give this release a few days and if no one mentions malfunctions, go ahead and update your device
thanks - i took and flashed it and it seems to be working ok . I also found the new tunneling that you mentioned in your earlier post.
you mentioned that you managed to get the PPPoE working with your WRT router. I understand your comment about using the ISP modem (they call it "the cube") in a bridge mode, but my doubt is if I need it at all. Meaning, can my 1900 ACS WRT router do the PPPOE stuff or do I need to have the modem anyway?
Your WRT19000 can "speak" PPPoE over its Copper based WAN Ethernet Interface.
There is still a device needed, which somehow provides "fibre to copper" conversion.
I have no idea how your provider handles this, I'd recommend getting in touch with a technician of theirs, or (if available) read the knowledgebase of your ISP.
