A curious VPN issue requires a fix Need a way to resolve it quickly
A curious VPN issue requires a fix Need a way to resolve it quickly
I'm lucky to spend half the year in Florida and the other half in Canada. The main issue I face is Netflix identifying VPNs now. I've already subscribed to the Premium Plan for my family. While in Florida, my account gets blocked because my Canadian parents are watching Netflix under a different account (not the same user). For my Smart TV in Florida to connect to the Canadian home network, I need a reliable solution. My current router is an overpriced gaming model using OpenVPN. My Canadian router is from Telus, and I could get another one. I prefer something dependable since my parents aren't tech-savvy, so having someone guide them would be difficult. Thanks!
You're almost there; just need a Canadian router that backs an OpenVPN server so your Florida router can link to it, directing all traffic through your Canadian connection. This works if you have a public IP from your ISP in Canada—otherwise consider routers like Tailscale. If you don't want every bit of traffic routed through your Canadian ISP, you could try connecting via a laptop and sharing hotspot/internet with the TV. A better setup would be using a device like pfSense that supports split-tunneling or policy routing, so only the TV sends over the VPN. Keep in mind that download speeds in Florida will depend on your Canadian upload speed, which might limit performance if many users try to use the connection simultaneously. This approach can reduce ideal performance when everyone is streaming at once.
Set up a VPN app on your smart TV in Florida, link to the nearest Canadian server, close the Netflix interface entirely, then reboot the TV. Reconnect the VPN client and switch to the Canadian connection. Open Netflix again.
This setup won't function properly. Netflix restricts access based on the IP address linked to your VPN service. The no password sharing rule also relies on your home internet's IP to determine your "home" location. Although you can stream while traveling, the device must connect and verify through your home network regularly.
My ASUS RT-AX88U is the router I have. It works with WireGuard, Surfshark, OpenVPN, PPTP and L2TP. I tried OpenVPN with NordVPN to link my Smart TV to Canada, but it didn’t connect to Netflix. Looking for a router around 100 dollars or a bit more if needed, specifically for Canada use only.
Ensure your current Telus router supports a built-in VPN server. Verify its ability to function as one. If not, consider installing a budget mini-PC or Pi-hole and configure an OpenVPN server. Activate port forwarding on the router so you can access your VPN from that device.
You're referring to a setup involving Raspberry Pi, WireGuard, and connecting them for secure traffic routing. It sounds like you're looking at a more straightforward approach using two routers that support OPNs or WireGuard, eliminating the need for complex routing configurations.
Yeah, that setup (I’ve got Pi-Hole on my home server…) From a security standpoint, it’s the software that matters most. Having identical versions of OpenVPN across devices ensures equal protection. The main concern is whether the router gets firmware updates regularly and if those updates cover OpenVPN. With a RasPi or mini-PC, you can apply patches as soon as they’re released. A router that already includes VPN simplifies the process—no need to install extra software, just set up the credentials. A mini-PC offers more control over configuration and software choices, but it requires more initial effort.