Establish a connection remotely using DNS that doesn’t rely on a router.
Establish a connection remotely using DNS that doesn’t rely on a router.
For various reasons outside this discussion, my parents changed from an Apple AirPort Extreme Wi-Fi mesh to a Ubiquiti Amplifi HD system. We chose the Amplifi because of several factors. First, it performed well according to reviews and our home environment with steel ceilings doesn’t support Wi-Fi very well. Second, it was straightforward to install, allowing my tech-limited dad to modify and upgrade it easily. Third, we prioritized speed over performance since our main needs were streaming YouTube or Netflix at 100 Mbps. Additionally, my dad had a positive experience with Ubiquiti products. Over the past year, this setup has functioned well. The only issue is now my dad wants to switch to a reliable home security system that can be managed remotely. Currently, we have one 720P camera, which isn’t ideal—people could potentially detect us from our driveway, but we’re unsure who they are due to low resolution and poor compression for cloud storage. An upgrade would involve a NUC server linked to high-resolution cameras on Amazon, with remote access via mobile apps. However, testing shows problems with VPN or dynamic DNS setup, as the manufacturer locks down these features. On one side, a secure Ubiquiti router is great; on the other, we can’t expose our network externally without compromising security. We’re considering options like using open-source software on the NUC, connecting it to a VPN server offsite, or setting up the NUC as a VPN gateway—though each comes with its own challenges. We can’t use another router device, nor do we want an enterprise solution that’s bulky or expensive. Our goal is a compact, affordable setup that fits in a shoebox-sized box in my mom’s dressing room or home office, which should be easy for her to manage. We’re also open to suggestions and don’t mind simple command-line solutions.
It means you maintain a DNS entry that refreshes automatically whenever your public IP address changes. If integrated into your router, it can alert the DNS service each time a new IP lease is assigned—but there are other methods too. Most dynamic DNS services offer software for computers to periodically check the public IP (for example, every five minutes) and refresh the record accordingly. Certain providers use a custom URL tied to your domain that updates whenever any host requests it, letting you set up tasks like a cron job to download the URL regularly.
The issue appears to be missing a VPN server. The built-in DDNS in the router shouldn't cause problems. You can set up a basic solution using a Raspberry Pi anywhere on the network, install OpenVPN and DDNS there. I provided a step-by-step guide for Unraid, but the same approach applies to any Linux distribution where you can run Docker. Just forward the necessary ports through the router.
Dynamic DNS and VPN operate independently. You could set up a quick OpenVPN server on your NUC by directing the 172.27.224.0/20 subnet to it, then forwarding TCP ports 443 and 943 to the NUC. After that, connect via VPN using your external IP once authenticated, gaining access to any LAN resources.
AXIS Companion Recorder suits your mom's needs. The AXIS Companion app offers a solid range of camera options.