VPN access for network device that is NOT a Win/Linux Computer

lothario · 08-18-2008, 02:37 AM

Yes, you can setup a VPN client on (Windows or Linux) computer.

But what about other networking devices that cannot be "directly" VPN-enabled.

For example, other devices on the LAN like:

Video IP Camera with Ethernet port.
Printer with Ethernet port.
Game Console with Ethernet port.

In such cases, it it possible to:

Put these devices behind a dd-wrt router.
Make the dd-wrt router a VPN client (or something like it).
Configure the VPN on the dd-wrt router such that these remote devices are on the same LAN as the VPN Server.

Mr. C. · 08-18-2008, 03:34 AM

I don't know about the dd-wrt router specifically. But you have the idea correct. You can use a VPN-enabled router to create your router-to-router VPN. With the proper configuration, devices behind the router can be on the same LAN as the VPN server.

lothario · 08-18-2008, 03:52 AM

Thanks Mr. C

Does this have to be a router-to-router VPN?

Our existing VPN server is a Ubuntu-running-OpenVPN.

So it could be OpenVPN-to-router, correct?

Mr. C. · 08-18-2008, 03:57 AM

If Ubuntu is acting as a router, and clients are behind this system with VPN enabled, then sure, that works.

lothario · 08-18-2008, 04:23 AM

Actually, what I mean is -

clients--UbuntuOpenPVN...internet...RouterWithVPN--clients

So the clients on both sides need to see each other.

I have to use RouterWithVPN because:

Locating another Ubuntu box on the remote site is just not feasible.
RouterWithVPN is cheap, has small footprint and could be programmed to plug-and=play.

Mr. C. · 08-18-2008, 11:56 AM

Yes, I understood this. Both ends must provide a VPN to the network, not just to a particular HOST.

lothario · 08-18-2008, 12:35 PM

Ok.

So considering all of the above.

What is applicable here?
A Bridging VPN
or
A Routing VPN

Mr. C. · 08-18-2008, 12:53 PM

What layer you VPN depends on your extant hardware/software. It appears you need a layer 3 solution. Perhaps its time to review: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Virtual_private_network if you have not already done so.

Since you have an existing router that you are trying to work with, it would be worthwhile to determine its VPN feature set.