I’m going to be away from home for a few weeks and would like to access my computer (LMDE) while I’m away. Remote desktop connection would be ideal, just file transfer would be acceptable.

Is a VPN necessary, or can port forwarding be good enough for a one time use?

What software/networking recommendations do you have?

  • 18107@aussie.zoneOPEnglish
    0·
    3 days ago

    My router is running OpenWRT (and stopped having intermittent issues after replacing the stock OS).

    I’m leaning toward Tailscale for the “quick and easy” recommendation. If I need to do this again, I might try something a little more advanced.

    • neatchee@piefed.socialEnglish
      0·
      3 days ago

      If you’re already running OpenWRT then I personally recommend Wireguard over tailscale if you have the time. It’s not hard to set up at all and takes the third party out of the loop. OpenWRT has excellent support for Wireguard configuration and export of configs to the devices you want to connect (install client, import config). The only “gotcha” is needing DynamicDNS (assuming you don’t have a static public IP)

      Tailscale is definitely super-simple but this IS the self-hosted community ;D I always prefer removing third parties at every opportunity.

      • 18107@aussie.zoneOPEnglish
        0·
        3 days ago

        This is why I ask humans instead of AI. I didn’t consider router level options.

        I’ve already got dynamic DNS set up, and I’ve been meaning to set up a way to access my NAS from out of the house. This might be the final push I need.

        • rtxn@lemmy.worldEnglish
          0·
          3 days ago

          One obstacle you might encounter is carrier-grade NAT or CGNAT. Some ISPs put residential subscribers behind an additional layer of IPv4 NAT, which makes your public address inaccessible from the internet. In that case, you’ll either need Tailscale or a similar service, or a VPS to act as a relay.

          Then there’s Vodafone who have unilaterally removed both the port-forward feature and bridge mode from their residential cable modems, and I hate them, and wish them a hammer to balls.

          • Wildmimic@anarchist.nexusEnglish
            0·
            3 days ago

            They removed BOTH? what in the… portforwarding is a pretty basic feature to have, and i would switch ISP if they took away Bridge Mode from me.

            • rtxn@lemmy.worldEnglish
              1·
              3 days ago

              They removed almost every basic networking feature with a firmware update. Even in “expert mode”, all I can do is set up the wifi and pick a single /24 network from 192.168.0.0/16. I can’t even pick a goddamn DNS server. Unfortunately the other ISPs that serve my area are at least twice as expensive.