2 Asus Routers

[Covack]

Not sure if in right place to ask

New member here, sorry for long post, I've reset router now about 10 times and start again.
I have worked on this two days, all info on the net leads to this Forum, that has any thing even close.

I have two ax86u pro routers on latest factory firmware
I have one as my primary everything is fine, I want to setup 2nd router with surfshark vpn .
I've tried several configurations and watched youtube videos using the same router I have, its not working for me .
I have my primary on 192.168.1.1, i tried to give my 2nd router 192.168.1.2 static
I dont have vpn listed in menu,if I put it in access mode, so router mode is what Im trying.
I tried lan to lan and lan to wan, I put vpn on 2nd router , it never connects , not even changing servers works.
It looks like it trys to connect, but never does. I tried wiregard and openvpn same thing.
I also have disconneted dhcp on second router, tried it both ways. Tks for any help.

 

[ColinTaylor]

The router must be configured in "router mode" to be able to run the VPN client.

So you either run the VPN client on your primary (internet gateway) router, or on a secondary router with its WAN port connected to one of the primary router's LAN ports. With the second option you will be creating a completely separate network with a different IP address range, e.g. 192.168.2.x.

You cannot have two routers in "router mode" that share the same LAN IP address range.

 

[Covack]

I tried this, but couldn't get back to 2nd router with 192.168.2.1, because it is a different subnet
I read on here somewhere to do a route on primary to access 2nd router

 

[ColinTaylor]

I tried this, but couldn't get back to 2nd router with 192.168.2.1, because it is a different subnet

That's correct. Perhaps you can explain more about what you're trying to achieve.

 

[Tech9]

I have one as my primary everything is fine, I want to setup 2nd router with surfshark vpn

If you want only specific devices going through the VPN connection - you can have it set on one router with VPN Fusion.

Surfshark VPN in particular has a document explaining the setup with their service:

How to set up OpenVPN on Asus VPN Fusion

In this article, you will learn how to set up an OpenVPN connection on VPN Fusion. VPN Fusion allows simultaneous connections to multiple VPN servers and device-specific VPN tunnel assignments. Thi...

support.surfshark.com

 

[Covack]

That's correct. Perhaps you can explain more about what you're trying to achieve.

I want to put the vpn on the second router 192.168.2.1.
I made some progress, when I got home from Church, I reset it again, went different direction.
It shows I'm connected to the internet now. pc connects, streaming devices etc.
It gives me a address on the 2nd router of 192.168.1.2, that is what I assigned to it, in setup for wan static IP
I still cant get it to connect vpn wiregard or openvpnthough.
I'm alot closer than I was, both routers are working
thanks

 

[ColinTaylor]

There's no obvious reason I can think of as to why your second router's VPN clients can't connect. Any VPN errors should be shown in System Log - General Log.

But you still haven't said why you're doing it this way rather than running the VPN client on the primary router?

 

[Covack]

I dont want to put vpn apps on devices, slows them down to much, bandwith.
I also dont want it on main pc, Banks block IP sometimes, if vpn is used
I also discovered from friends, ring cameras dont work, I have some cameras.
That is why I'm trying the 2nd router and select certain devices only. I also port forward on my main router
for devices.
If You use a vpn on the main, usally it screws up the port forwarding, and work related Log Ins.

 

[ColinTaylor]

... and select certain devices only.

Why not use the option in VPN Fusion to route only specific devices through the VPN?

 

[Covack]

I might try that if this doesnt work out

 

[Tech9]

You perhaps have read some old instructions for two routers setup with one dedicated to VPN. What you need is built-in functionality in select home routers and your RT-AX86U Pro is one of them. Second router is not needed.