Create separate Wi-Fi networks for testing purposes, enabling port forwarding or hosting activities at home.
Create separate Wi-Fi networks for testing purposes, enabling port forwarding or hosting activities at home.
I have a router model 7530 connected to the internet via fiber.nl. My parents are using their devices on the home network, while I’ve set up my own laptop and phone. I’m testing with an old phone, a Windows 10 laptop, and later an Ubuntu server. I want to run a website, an API using Node.js, and a Minecraft server on my Linux machine. To do this, I need to forward ports. I’m unsure if I need a fixed IP address. My parents don’t allow me to change the router’s settings, so they’re confused about what I’m trying to achieve. As I’m still learning, I’d like to isolate myself for testing purposes—so that if something goes wrong and I get infected, only my device would be affected. Can this work? If yes, how should I set it up? I’m not very familiar with networking concepts, so please explain clearly. If you need more details, feel free to share.
It's clear you need port forwarding, but it hinges on your ISP providing an actual IP address or using CG-NAT. Also, if you're concerned about malware, avoid installing unnecessary programs. Switching the device to another virtual network doesn't ensure full protection.
I understand the situation. A small extra cost is fine. If I pay 20 euros for an additional router, it's manageable. How can I verify if my ISP provides a genuine IP address? Placing a device on a virtual network wouldn't help protect that device while downloading, but that isn't what I need. If my test laptop gets infected, it's not an issue, yet if it spreads via Wi-Fi to my parents' computers, it becomes a serious concern. A virus can spread within the same Wi-Fi network—am I correct about that?
With a second router it can serve as a boundary, though this introduces double NAT which may cause issues for certain services, and you’ll still have to adjust the main router’s settings to allow incoming traffic.
I see, you're looking for alternative methods to test things at home safely. Many people use port forwarding on their home networks to access external services without damaging anything. It's a common practice when setting up websites or other online tools.
Generally yes. A second router becomes helpful when it handles VPN clients, L2TP or similar tunnels. This lets you create a virtual ISP connection through that router and forward ports from there. That’s the idea behind the cost discussion—paying for a monthly or yearly service to maintain that virtual link. This setup is valuable for devices like pfSense running on older or low-power hardware, offering advanced routing capabilities beyond typical consumer routers. Another possibility is using Tailscale on a PC where all Minecraft players connect, enabling private VPN access. However, if you need something accessible over the public internet, this isn’t feasible. Cloudflare Zero Trust could work but would be more complex to set up and likely introduce lag with Minecraft traffic. Renting a Minecraft server might be a smarter choice if this is more than just a test.