Newbie question: OpenVPN server/wifi router/cable modem arrangement

[Smpl5]

I am wanting to access my local LAN while travelling, so I purchased a Slate travel router and a Brume 2 (2500) for the server. I have a cable modem connected to an ORBI wifi router. Do I need to insert the Brume between these two devices (i.e., Cable modem to Brume WAN and Brume LAN to Orbi WAN) or is it sufficient to connect the Brume WAN port to the Orbi LAN? If the latter, is it necessary to connect anything to the Brume LAN port?

I have gone through the tutorials and I think I understand what I have to do configuration-wise, but I am uncertain as to the equipment arrangement.

Thanks in advance

[will.qiu]

Hi

As you are new to router/VPN server configuration, we recommend connecting the Brume 2 between your ISP modem and the Orbi.

Afterwards:

1. Configure port forwarding or DMZ on your ISP modem for Brume 2. This is for opening the OpenVPN server port to public netowrk.
2. Set the Orbi to AP mode to avoid double NAT and VPN routing issues.

For information on setting up the OpenVPN server on Brume 2, please refer to Set up OpenVPN server - GL.iNet Router Docs 4.

[Smpl5]

Thanks for your help. Step 1 of this process was to connect the WAN port to the cable modem and the LAN port to my computer for admin. When I do this, the Brume 2 will not retrieve an IP address from the cable modem (I have DDNS enabled). Just for fun, I turned DHCP off on the Orbi and connected its WAN port to the LAN port of the Brume. Not surprising, none of the WIFI connected devices was able to connect to the Internet. Right now, I have the cable modem connected to the Orbi and I connected the Brume’s WAN port to a LAN port on the Orbi. It gets an IP address from the Orbi and is connected but there’s nothing on the LAN side. I set port forwarding on the Orbi for port 1194. I’m not optimistic that I’ll be able to get a useful VPN set up to my home network, but we’ll see.
Any further suggestions?

[will.qiu]

@Smpl5

Step 1 of this process was to connect the WAN port to the cable modem and the LAN port to my computer for admin. When I do this, the Brume 2 will not retrieve an IP address from the cable modem (I have DDNS enabled).

Does your ISP modem provide an IP address via DHCP? If your connection requires PPPoE dial-up or specific VLAN tags, you can refer to the following configuration tutorials:

Ethernet - GL.iNet Router Docs 4

@Smpl5

Right now, I have the cable modem connected to the Orbi and I connected the Brume’s WAN port to a LAN port on the Orbi. It gets an IP address from the Orbi and is connected but there’s nothing on the LAN side. I set port forwarding on the Orbi for port 1194. I’m not optimistic that I’ll be able to get a useful VPN set up to my home network, but we’ll see.

It is also fine to use the Brume 2 as a secondary router. However, for VPN server to work, you must configure Port Forwarding on whichever device holds the Public IP address, directing traffic to the Brume 2.
You can check the WAN Status page on both your ISP modem and your Orbi router to find who have the Public IP address and then:

• Scenario A (Modem in Bridge mode): The Orbi gets the Public IP. You must forward the VPN port from the Orbi to the Brume 2.
• Scenario B (Modem in Router mode): The Modem has the Public IP. You must forward the port from the Modem to the Orbi (or put the Orbi in the Modem's DMZ), and then from the Orbi to the Brume 2.