REVscene Automotive Forum - View Single Post

mrks · 02-05-2011, 10:10 AM

I have a Netgear WNR3500L running DD-WRT for VPN.
It's the same hardware as the ASUS N16. Except it only has one USB port and 64 MB ram. I've noticed on day to day use it always has 50 MB free, so the ram isn't a limitation. The Netgear is around $30-$40 cheaper than the Asus.

Main features:
Wireless-N
Gigabit ports, LAN and WAN. Many of the routers don't have a gigabit WAN port.
1 USB port for HD, printer.
Guaranteed compatibility with 3rd party firmwares.

USB HD:
I had a USB stick on the router, but I found the access a little slow via samba. It was better with FTP, but it's less convenient because you need to use an FTP client to connect. And because of that I stopped using it as a storage.

VPN:
I'm just running PPTP, but there is an option for using OpenVPN.
OpenVPN should be more secure, but PPTP works for what I need it for.

OpenVPN is harder to setup, as you need to create encrypted connection keys for the router and your computer. Then you need to setup the client connection on your computer.

Alternative to VPN:
The main issue about using the VPN to access files is the sad upload speed of most home connections.
I recommend using Dropbox as an alternative. I have all my documents stored in my dropbox folder, which will allow me to access them anywhere. (Except behind the great firewall of China, but your home rolled VPN will not make it through either)

02-05-2011, 10:10 AM	#3
mrks I Will not Admit my Addiction to RS Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Vancouver Posts: 511 Thanked 59 Times in 35 Posts Failed 6 Times in 5 Posts	I have a Netgear WNR3500L running DD-WRT for VPN. It's the same hardware as the ASUS N16. Except it only has one USB port and 64 MB ram. I've noticed on day to day use it always has 50 MB free, so the ram isn't a limitation. The Netgear is around $30-$40 cheaper than the Asus. Main features: Wireless-N Gigabit ports, LAN and WAN. Many of the routers don't have a gigabit WAN port. 1 USB port for HD, printer. Guaranteed compatibility with 3rd party firmwares. USB HD: I had a USB stick on the router, but I found the access a little slow via samba. It was better with FTP, but it's less convenient because you need to use an FTP client to connect. And because of that I stopped using it as a storage. VPN: I'm just running PPTP, but there is an option for using OpenVPN. OpenVPN should be more secure, but PPTP works for what I need it for. OpenVPN is harder to setup, as you need to create encrypted connection keys for the router and your computer. Then you need to setup the client connection on your computer. Alternative to VPN: The main issue about using the VPN to access files is the sad upload speed of most home connections. I recommend using Dropbox as an alternative. I have all my documents stored in my dropbox folder, which will allow me to access them anywhere. (Except behind the great firewall of China, but your home rolled VPN will not make it through either) Last edited by mrks; 02-05-2011 at 10:22 AM.