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  1. R

    VPN Primer for Noobs

    You don't use the DDNS URL for anything. The router uses it when it sets up openvpn, so you need it, but you never use that URL for anything. And with openvpn you don't port forward, that's the point of openvpn.
  2. R

    VPN Primer for Noobs

    Sounds right to me One other thing is you can't connect to the DDNS address, I got some weird stuff when I tried. But there is no reason to, as barboots showed, DDNS just helps to route from your phone to your home network.
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    Using Serial Interface on Blue Iris Server to Open or Close a Garage Door?

    Very nice!! Glad to know you got it figured out and working. FYI, I run all of my wemos' on 5v, and don't have any problems. However, I do not use the micro usb connector, found that they can be problematic if you have other stuff on the wemos like relays, so I've been cutting up old USB cords...
  4. R

    Using Serial Interface on Blue Iris Server to Open or Close a Garage Door?

    Good luck. One other think with programming esp's, I have one really cheap esp-01, and to program it you need a serial adapter, and a switch to put it in boot mode. That might be a esp-01 on the amazon board, so if you have trouble you'll need to look at that. esp-01 My other comment is I'd...
  5. R

    Using Serial Interface on Blue Iris Server to Open or Close a Garage Door?

    I'm not sure you will be able to reprogram that amazon device, or at least not easily reprogram it One very nice feature of the wemos esp is you just plug in a micro usb to a PC, and then you can reprogram. There are tons of esp variants, and the cheaper ones need a serial to usb adapter, and...
  6. R

    Using Serial Interface on Blue Iris Server to Open or Close a Garage Door?

    You really need a relay connected to a Pi or Arduino or ESP8266 (arduino with wifi). Close the relay for one second to open or close the garage door. Highly advice using openVPN to access your network for something like this, so its secure. I think the easiest way to implement would be a relay...
  7. R

    Opinion on cheap IP cameras from sites like AliExpress?

    Spiders like the IR lights. Or maybe its really that other bugs like the IRs, and the spiders "like" the other bugs. Geometry of bullets makes it easier for spiders to build webs in front on their lens.
  8. R

    New Ring Alarm System 199

    Was reading some of the FAQs, in the extender description, says its zwave. I think this is a good thing for an alarm, zwave is really secure from my understanding. Once a device is paired, it only talks to that controller. Too bad it looks like there is no way to integrate this with an existing...
  9. R

    VPN Primer for Noobs

    I'll try to answer some of your questions TG862? I don't think it supports on openvpn server, did a search and could not find anything to say it does. In general, these all in one devices have limited router capabilities. So in this case, you need some other device (router, pi or pc) to act as...
  10. R

    Opinion on cheap IP cameras from sites like AliExpress?

    The Dahua starlights, which are the most recommended cams here, do a great job capturing images at night (low light) where you can get enough resolution to get facial recognition. Bad things tend to happen at night. Try that with your cheap cam. And if you can't tell who the bad guy is, how...
  11. R

    VPN Primer for Noobs

    My response was about vlans (different from VPN) because that's what you asked about in your last post. As the others have said, you can implement openVPN with an older router. Tmobile gives away rebranded asus routers to their customers, and these show up on ebay for good prices. This thread...
  12. R

    VPN Primer for Noobs

    I think no one has replied because no one knows. I did a quick look at the documentation, and I"m not sure if its possible. VLANs tend to be harder to implement, I was lucky that I bought a used commercial switch that could implement it for my cams. Stuff intended for home use doesn't...
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    VPN Primer for Noobs

    I'd try to run openvpn with the stock netgear firmware, did a quick google and it looks like it will support this. Netgear also had a DDNS function, which you also need. DDNS is what lets your phone find your router when using openvpn, it provides the address to use. My Asus router provides...
  14. R

    VPN Primer for Noobs

    I don't have a route to my cameras, I have them on a vlan as described here Simple Port based VLAN With them on a vlan, they are isolated from everything but my bi PC, so I don't worry about them further. I could add your screenshot to my blog though, as another security measure to take to make...
  15. R

    VPN Primer for Noobs

    Fairly significant revision to my blog to reflect the latest ASUS firmware, and added more settings to better secure the router. Feedback would be appreciated. Asus instructions
  16. R

    VPN Primer for Noobs

    Yeah, you can spoof a mac address, but then a bad guy would need to know which mac address to spoof. Its another layer of protection. My philosophy for security is to make your security good enough so its too much work to break in, so the bad guy will go find someone where its much easier...
  17. R

    VPN Primer for Noobs

    @xtropodx There is also the kind of obvious suggestion that port forwarding should be disabled. Also, if it happens again, I'd check the log asap, and see if there is a clue to how someone else got in. This gave me an idea to revise my blog to add some suggestions for other settings to help...
  18. R

    VPN Primer for Noobs

    So you are using AES-256-CBC for the encryption cipher, and someone was able to break in through VPN? From my limited understanding of this stuff, AES-256-CBC is quite secure, and its really hard to crack, so having someone do it a couple times in a few minutes seems strange, unless they are...
  19. R

    VPN Primer for Noobs

    So I'm not a network guy, know just enough to be dangerous, but I'm not sure about your strict nat comment? I can tell you I have an iphone 8 with ATT as the provider, and I have no problem running openvpn and checking cams.
  20. R

    Tell us about your home automation!

    First thing to check is if you have a neutral wire at the switch you want to replace. Older houses tend to not have a neutral wire at the switch, just a hot wire. Almost all wireless switches need a neutral wire to work, I know of one lutron zigbee switch that doesn't need the neutral...
  21. R

    VPN Primer for Noobs

    How do you access you NVR when you are at home? When you are out, you open the openvpn connection, and then you device will think you are at home. It's actually pretty simple once you understand that. Just pretend you're in your living room. BTW, for anyone with an asus router, I wrote these...
  22. R

    General camera and system security

    If your linksys works with your DSL modem, I'd expect any decent newer router to work with it too. I have a asus router that handles OpenVPN with no problem. Its now an slightly older model, but works well for me.
  23. R

    Sweet! LTS is releasing an ONVIF compatible doorbell with SD card slot and 940nm IR

    The diode will keep the AC waveform from going below ground. Digital circuits normally don't like to see signals below ground.
  24. R

    Camera Suggestions for new home installation

    I haven't been here much lately, but Dahua starlights have been held in high regard. I don't think you can go wrong with starlights. These are nice, but would push your budget just a bit. Dahua Starlight Varifocal Turret (IPC-HDW5231R-Z) The previous poster is a good source for Dahua cams...
  25. R

    Hello from peoples republic of Kalifornia

    What worked for me was to buy one camera first, I bought a variable length (zoom) cam so I could see how it looks with different focal lengths. I bought bulk cat 6, plenum rated, from monoprice, along with the jacks and a tool to connect the jack. I also bought a POE switch to be able to power...
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    RING Doorbell WiFi range

    I recently changed my wifi to ch 11, and its working better now. I used to have some reception problems upstairs with my ipad, but they are cleared up after changing to 11. This link explains why. Why Channels 1, 6, and 11? | MetaGeek If you know how to long into her router as an admin, it...
  27. R

    Had a theft, going hog on cameras. Need your advice.

    What Matt said lol. Also, you don't have to cover everywhere, you just need to cover where things will happen that you want to see, entry points and your cars. I use a combination of variable and fixed lens, depending on where and purpose of cam. Variables are more expensive, but the...
  28. R

    Help Getting Into Smart Home / Home Automation

    Glad you were able to get everything working :) i'm still amazed how cheap and powerful these little esp boards are, and when mated with espeasy makes it really easy to implement.
  29. R

    VPN Primer for Noobs

    The VPN connection is used when you're away from home, and want to connect to your home network. It won't affect watching netflix or anything else. We watch netflix with no problems. During the summer, have two teenage girls doing their thing, and we would watch netflix and no one...
  30. R

    Easiest Way to Secure Camera System

    Are you using the ASUS DDNS? I set that up, and then my router just used it for openVPN. Made it easy.
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