Is it possible to setup a openvpn server using my home ip on the GL-MT6000 and use openvpn app instead of another router to connect to it while traveling abroad?
Also, it is going to be DNS Leakage free and possibly safe with a kill switch?
Yes, it's possible, please read OpenVPN Server - GL.iNet Router Docs 4
Thank you for that. Can I use another port besides 1194?
You can choose whatever port you like - but make sure you are not behind CGNAT.
How do I make sure I am not behind a CGNAT?
Also, when using the openvpn app to connect to my server, would I be protected against DNS leak?
You can't really make it sure. If you are using cable or cellular internet, it will be CGNAT for 99% sure.
Something you need to test, depends on app and device.
edit: OpenVPN isn't really useful for permanent VPN. So if you need to run permanent VPN, it's better to use WireGuard.
Thank you.
Cellular, yes. Cable (mostly) no.
If your IP is in one of the private IP ranges, then you're CGNAT. Otherwise not.
Cheers.
Nah, this isn't how to detect CGNAT, I am sorry.
Why is OpenVPN not useful as a permanent VPN? Long before Wireguard, OpenVPN was the protocol of choice for many companies and users. The user management tools are still much better in OpenVPN. Wireguard is normally faster than OpenVPN, but speed should not be the only factor that should be considered when selecting a VPN protocol.
OpenVPN supports both UDP and TCP, so I use it in places that block UDP, like some coffee shops and a few Airbnbs. For maximum compatibility, most of my VPN servers support OpenVPN, Wireguard and SoftEther VPN server packages, and a few now also have Tailscale.
OpenVPN needs to reestablish the connection every time the signal drops or the network changes. WireGuard, being mostly stateless, doesn’t have this issue—it simply resumes without a full reconnection, making it much smoother for users who move between networks or deal with spotty signals.
So the WireGuard "overhead" is less.
Oooops, I forgot to also mention the 100.64.0.0 -> 100.127.255.255 range.
Cheers.
I see that as a performance advantage in a small number of cases, as most people's connections are not constantly dropping, but as OpenVPN does automatically reconnect, this does not make OpenVPN: Not really useful for permanent VPN.
OpenVPN when configured to use TCP, normally recovers packet loss at the TCP layer, so it does not have to do a reconnect at the OpenVPN layer. When I experience poor internet connections, I find OpenVPN over TCP is more usable then Wireguard over UDP.