Set up OpenWRT to connect and use a PPTP VPN.
2012-05-05 00:28:00
Running Linux on a router is just like magic, wouldn't you agree? If not - try it!
The other day I wanted to set up a VPN connection for some of my devices at home. And since I only could have one device connected at the time, I figured it would be simpler to connect my router and then have the VPN connected on any of my connected devices at home.
I run OpenWRT on my TP-Link WR1043ND and i found it to be really easy to set up a VPN connection, and use it to tunnel all of the data by default. Here's how:
(To begin with, you need a router running OpenWRT, a VPN account somewhere (your own server, IPredator, whatever) that has support for PPTP, and access to your router.)
- Login to your router.
- Click System > Software > Update lists.
- Press "Avaliable packages" and search for PPTP.
- Install these packages: (you might have to do the search again in avaliable packages, for each package)
luci-proto-pptp, kmod-pptp and pptp - Once these packages are installed, move on to Network and click "Add new interface".
- Give it a name, perhaps the name of the service.
Set the protocol to PPtP and click Submit. - Fill in the form using the info and credentials from your VPN service. Then press Save.
- It is a good idea to let the VPN connection to be set up immediately, so set it to connect during book in Advanced settings. Save.
- The new VPN interface should now connect itself, but there is still one thing left to do: add it to a Firewall Zone.
Editing your VPN interface, click on Firewall Settings and add it to WAN. - Surf! To doubble check if the connection is working you could try a site like this one: ipaddresslocation.org
