Many of the ASUS routers (such as the RT-AC68U & RT AX86U) have an OpenVPN server and will support connections to CL fiber. The trick with CL fiber is you have to set the VID of 201 on the LAN > IPTV screen - non-intuitive since it is your WAN connection. The OpenVPN server itself is free, but you would need to get a Dynamic DNS service to work with your VPN. Some of those DDNS services are cheap or free.
Any router should work with Century Link fiber - just connect the router to the ethernet jack on the ONT. I have cable and use a Netgear R9000 running DD-WRT. Very good VPN performance with this router.
You don’t say whether you want a VPN server or a VPN client. For a server, you don’t need a VPN service. For a client, you do.
OpenVPN is a major provider and I would expect it to work well. Have never used OpenVPN, but I checked their website and don’t see a free option.
Get an OpenWRT/DD-WRT compatible router, there are some cheap ones second hand, like the Netgear R7000 or the Netgear R7800. With one of those firmwares you can setup OpenVPN or better yet Wireguard. Enjoy.
The problem with built-in VPN is that, unless it is a very expensive enterprise router, it simply does not have the CPU power to encrypt/decrypt traffic at a bandwidth higher than about 30Mbps.
Thank you IdleTechie, Careful-Evening-5187, NickBurnsITgI and fjch1997
Do you guys have expensive enterprise Asus routers? Do you use the built-in OpenVPN server? Do your routers have enough CPU power to not reduce the fiber bandwidth ?
I’m looking for a VPN client. Thanks everybody for the great advice. I’m going to check out the various routers mentioned.
I should have mentioned this earlier. The fiber is connected to a Calix 716GE-I R2 Fiber Optical Network Terminal. The router is connected to the Calix. I understand that the Calix can possibly be used as a router but the ones sold through CenturyLink have the router ability disabled.
Thank you TCB13sQuotes, I’m not using the router as a server. I’m considering switching routers so that I can have a VPN on the router for privacy and security. I have an R7000. I realize these may be dumb questions but I’ve read about OpenVPN and Wireguard. I’ve looked at the Wireguard Quickstart guide. I’m not exactly sure how to set this up. I have a Windows 10 laptop. I’m not clear on the concept. Thanks in advance for any advice you can offer.
Questions:
Do I download the Windows Installer from Wireguard and then connect directly to the R7000 with a cable to the laptop and then follow the prompts to flash Wireguard to the R7000?
Does Wireguard have a GUI?
Do I need any other firmware/software?
For my needs, can I use the built-in VPN that comes with the R7000 or is that obsolete or not secure, etc.?
Depends on what type of VPN service you want. If you are travelling and don’t trust the local wifi/internet then you can use the VPN server on the router to connect your remote device with your home router & home-based internet. OpenVPN tunnels can be very robust and secure - it depends on your settings.
If you are at home and want to appear like you are connecting from somewhere else in the world, then you should use a VPN service such as NordVPN.
Not expensive - RT-AX86U running Merlin firmware https://www.asuswrt-merlin.net/ connected to 1G Google Fiber. Unlike CenturyLink (which requires PPPoE to connect), Google Fiber is a direct DHCP connection to their server, so no loss in bandwidth. I run a VPN server on it for myself & other family members for security when connecting from overseas.
Hey, which router supports to use VPN outside our home to access our devices from home? All router with built in vpn servers are capable for that? Thanks.