VPN query

[akaneria]

hi guys,
i have a quick question, basically i have setup a basic vpn between my home and my office, using windows XP and a netgear dg834 (old) router. When i setup my router for vpn settings, in the inboud firewall settings, i set an exception that only my home ip address could connect, however my home ip address has now changed, is there anything i can do, apart from getting a static IP address.

The broadbank ip address hardly changes, this is the first time in over 12 months.

thanks

[Jay]

unless you can do it with a host name you will need a static IP

[akaneria]

thanks for the info, i dont think the firewall allows hostname as exceptions

[Apex]

Is it your lan or wan ip that has changed ?

If lan ip then iirc you should be able to set a static DHCP lease via the router, but depends if the router provides this

[akaneria]

its the wan ip that has changed.

[DigiGuru]

Some routers do allow you to use a hostname, others don't - you'll have to check your specific router for that one.

[i4000]

There's a possible solution for you, but it's a proper tech-head one and not for the feint hearted....

1. Reflash your netgear dg834 with a custom firmware such as openWRT (http://openwrt.org/), this will probably mean opening up the router and creating a custom serial cable.

2. Once you have openVPN installed, you can then setup OpenVPN (http://forum.openwrt.org/viewtopic.php?id=1800).

If you get this far then the next stage should be easy :0

3. Self generate some certificates and use certificate based authentication for your VPN so everything will work regardless of your IP addresses.

OpenWRT gives you loads of extra functionality such as wireless bridging, a much better firewall, custom apps and many more, but you are in real geek teritory when it comes to configuration and support. There's a good and active community who are willing to help and lots of info on the openWRT web site.

[akaneria]

thanks for the info,
i think that's a bit too much, however i will look over the website.

But i think i will do it the old fashioned way, manually change the ip address restriction.
On o2 broadband it hardly changes, i think mine changed as a result of renewing my o2 contract.

[latrosicarius]

manually change the ip address restriction.

Yeah, if it happens this infrequently, and you you're router wont accept a hostname and/or doesn't have the capability to auto update a DynDNS record, then I'd say your idea is the best plan.