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VPN solution for Apple TV device

VPN solution for Apple TV device

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cal10001
Junior Member
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14
10-15-2025, 11:15 AM
#1
I configured ExpressVPN for my German aunt so she could access channels exclusive to Germany. It functions smoothly on her laptop and phone. But I noticed the ExpressVPN installation for the AppleTV wasn’t very effective. Since I won’t always be nearby to assist, I aimed for a straightforward setup. The network layout is this: two ISPs supplied ONTs → CISCO load balancing router → POE network switch → several APs → DD-WRT Router acting as a Wi-Fi repeater with VPN enabled → AppleTV. The goal is for the DD-WRT router to operate as a Wi-Fi repeater with VPN access logged in. My aunt can then easily switch the Wi-Fi connection on her AppleTV whenever she needs the VPN. Unfortunately, I can’t connect a network cable to the router because the AppleTV is too far from the networking cabinet, and all existing wall-mounted cables are occupied by APs. Is this feasible? I wanted to confirm before purchasing a custom firmware/VPN-capable router or Wi-Fi repeater.
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C
cal10001
10-15-2025, 11:15 AM #1

I configured ExpressVPN for my German aunt so she could access channels exclusive to Germany. It functions smoothly on her laptop and phone. But I noticed the ExpressVPN installation for the AppleTV wasn’t very effective. Since I won’t always be nearby to assist, I aimed for a straightforward setup. The network layout is this: two ISPs supplied ONTs → CISCO load balancing router → POE network switch → several APs → DD-WRT Router acting as a Wi-Fi repeater with VPN enabled → AppleTV. The goal is for the DD-WRT router to operate as a Wi-Fi repeater with VPN access logged in. My aunt can then easily switch the Wi-Fi connection on her AppleTV whenever she needs the VPN. Unfortunately, I can’t connect a network cable to the router because the AppleTV is too far from the networking cabinet, and all existing wall-mounted cables are occupied by APs. Is this feasible? I wanted to confirm before purchasing a custom firmware/VPN-capable router or Wi-Fi repeater.

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mccoop03
Posting Freak
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910
10-15-2025, 11:42 AM
#2
First of all... Wow! Is this a home network configuration? Secondly... [Sigh] In theory it should function, but you'll only find out when you attempt it. The challenge is ensuring the VPN client recognizes that wireless interfaces are bridged, not the default setup of wireless/eth to WAN. My previous attempts were unsuccessful, though the VPN applications have improved recently. Best of luck!
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M
mccoop03
10-15-2025, 11:42 AM #2

First of all... Wow! Is this a home network configuration? Secondly... [Sigh] In theory it should function, but you'll only find out when you attempt it. The challenge is ensuring the VPN client recognizes that wireless interfaces are bridged, not the default setup of wireless/eth to WAN. My previous attempts were unsuccessful, though the VPN applications have improved recently. Best of luck!

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Fernan_Gamer
Junior Member
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40
11-01-2025, 01:53 AM
#3
Yeah! My cousins are having fun like that. Unfortunately, their area, though upscale, doesn’t have good ISP coverage. They claim 200mbps, but in practice only about 40 Mbps goes down and just 5 Mbps comes up. That’s a bit confusing. If they’re using a bridge, does that mean the client device (like the Apple TV) will treat the main Cisco router as the gateway and skip the VPN? Sorry if this sounds like a simple question—I’m not very familiar with networks. It would have been much simpler if there were a way to run a network cable close to the TV room. I doubt my aunt will let me leave cables around or start damaging the walls.
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Fernan_Gamer
11-01-2025, 01:53 AM #3

Yeah! My cousins are having fun like that. Unfortunately, their area, though upscale, doesn’t have good ISP coverage. They claim 200mbps, but in practice only about 40 Mbps goes down and just 5 Mbps comes up. That’s a bit confusing. If they’re using a bridge, does that mean the client device (like the Apple TV) will treat the main Cisco router as the gateway and skip the VPN? Sorry if this sounds like a simple question—I’m not very familiar with networks. It would have been much simpler if there were a way to run a network cable close to the TV room. I doubt my aunt will let me leave cables around or start damaging the walls.

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