VPN: Port forwarding with separate modem and router

[jescolohan]

Hi,

I cannot get the port forwarding settings right to enable VPN. I have a "FRITZ!Box Fon WLAN 7112" modem followed by a "D-Link DIR-655" router. Whatever combination of port forwarding I try between the two, the Amahi control panel never says that VPN is active.

Basically, I have four port forwarding options in the two devices:

In the modem I have the option to open a port and send it to:

• The routers IP adress
• Directly to the Amahi servers IP adress

In the DIR-655 router I can either:

• "Port Forwarding" to open a port for any incoming traffic and direct it to the Amahi Server
• "Virtual Server" to open a public port and forward it to a private port on a certain IP adress

Any combination I try to forward packets through the modem and through the router to UDP port 1194 on the server fails.

Does anybody know how I should be configuring my network devices?

Thank you!

J.

[NeverSimple]

I have a "FRITZ!Box Fon WLAN 7112" modem followed by a "D-Link DIR-655" router.

If I may ask: why are you using a router behind the FritzBox? If I'm not mistaken, it already contains a router. There is probably a good reason for it, but it can help trying to understand what you are trying to achieve with this setup.

Richard

[jescolohan]

If I may ask: why are you using a router behind the FritzBox? If I'm not mistaken, it already contains a router. There is probably a good reason for it, but it can help trying to understand what you are trying to achieve with this setup.

Richard

Yes, of course, the answer is quite simple. I needed more LAN ports and wanted gigabit networking. The FritzBox is a wireless router only.

The Amahi server is attached via LAN to the D-link router, as is a workstation PC.

J.

[NeverSimple]

It could be that I'm wrong (don't think so.. ) but the 7112 does really seem to be a router for ALL connected clients, WLAN or LAN. I couldn't really imagine anything else. It only has 1 ethernet port, but you could just add a gigabit switch for as many ports that you need and save yourself the trouble caused by using a second router. The manual for the 7112 is very helpful in setting up your network. I own a Fritzbox myself (7170) and did just that: use one ethernet port and connect that and all other clients to an 8 port gigabit switch.

Richard

[jescolohan]

It could be that I'm wrong (don't think so.. ) but the 7112 does really seem to be a router for ALL connected clients, WLAN or LAN. I couldn't really imagine anything else. It only has 1 ethernet port, but you could just add a gigabit switch for as many ports that you need and save yourself the trouble caused by using a second router. The manual for the 7112 is very helpful in setting up your network. I own a Fritzbox myself (7170) and did just that: use one ethernet port and connect that and all other clients to an 8 port gigabit switch.

Richard

Thanks for the reply and clearing that up. Its obviously redundant to have two routers in a network. Nonetheless I am now stuck with this combination. Would you venture a guess as to how I can get the port forwarding to work?

Thanks!

J.

[NeverSimple]

Mhh, for the price of a reasonable gigabit router i would prefer to take my loss and get out of that confusing situation.... .

But...., If you look in the manual for the D-Link you'll find that they are surprisingly helpful! on page 12..13 there is a section called: "Connect to another router". Must be your lucky day...

Summary: don't use the internet port, but instead connect to 1 of the 4 lan ports. (leaving 3 available for you to use). You will have to disable some services, but that's all explained.

That's meant for using it as a wireless access point, but you don't need that either, leaving you with a very complicated 3 port switch . But it should work!

Good luck,

Richard

[jescolohan]

... But...., If you look in the manual for the D-Link ...

Wow, I can't believe I didn't follow what is usually my own first move: RTFM. Thanks for pointing that out! I'll give it a go!

J.