RT-AC86U VPN Servers... No L2TP option?

[[Daniel]]

I thought I'd explore my intention to enable a VPN server on my new ASUS Router (owned less than 1 week) so that I could connect my Windows 10 phone to my own VPN when using mobile hotspots. I read enough of the VPN forum section to know that PPTP was a bad choice of VPN server, and OpenVPN is not an option on a windows phone.

I saw lots of folks suggesting L2TP/IPSec over PPTP, but the default ASUS options are only PPTP and OpenVPN for server choices on my RT-AC86U... although VPN Client lists L2TP as an option.

So I thought I'd try install the freshly released Merlin Firmware to see what all in enabled. I was pleased how quick and easy it applied; retaining my settings to boot! However, I am still limited to OpenVPN and PPTP as VPN server choices.

Is L2TP simply not an option for the RT-AC86U? If it remembered my settings, might a factory reset help (post merlin install)? if not, are their other ASUS models that do support L2TP VPN servers? I have 2 days to return/exchange this router for another model if need be.

Thank you in advance for your responses.

 

[RMerlin]

Is L2TP simply not an option for the RT-AC86U?

That's correct.

are their other ASUS models that do support L2TP VPN servers?

No.

 

[[Daniel]]

Sounds like a rock and a hard-place to be. If I enable the VPN PPTP server option compatible with my phone, I run the risk of anyone sniffing the hotspot (where I'd choose to use the VPN) to collect the details they could run through a service like CloudHack and potentially authenticate to my VPN and access my network behind the ASUS.

Sounds like the only real/safe option is to abort my original plan and stay off of the mobile hotspots.

Hmmm, I do have an old SonicWALL TZ-190 collecting mothballs... maybe I should dust it off, see if it has at least one free VPN license still, and try insert into the mix as a VPN appliance for my cell. It would need more education on my part, but could be worth it in the end.

 

[RMerlin]

Use OpenVPN. It's very secure, and not as difficult to setup as some people think.

 

[[Daniel]]

Use OpenVPN. It's very secure, and not as difficult to setup as some people think.

OpenVPN is not an option on a windows phone, I wish it was, but all the windows phone users would love you if you succeeded in making that a reality.

 

[RMerlin]

OpenVPN is not an option on a windows phone, I wish it was, but all the windows phone users would love you if you succeeded in making that a reality.

All five of them?

(sorry, couldn't resist)

 

[[Daniel]]

No less hilarious than ASUS releasing a 2017 model router with a PPTP VPN server, knowing it hasn't been a serious security choice for over 5 years.