Netgate Discussion Forum
    • Categories
    • Recent
    • Tags
    • Popular
    • Users
    • Search
    • Register
    • Login

    NordVPN Client only for specific hosts

    Scheduled Pinned Locked Moved OpenVPN
    58 Posts 10 Posters 8.7k Views
    Loading More Posts
    • Oldest to Newest
    • Newest to Oldest
    • Most Votes
    Reply
    • Reply as topic
    Log in to reply
    This topic has been deleted. Only users with topic management privileges can see it.
    • DerelictD
      Derelict LAYER 8 Netgate @Tom777
      last edited by

      @Tom777 When you are connected to the VPN service, look at Diagnostics > Routes.

      Do you see routes for 0.0.0.0/1 and 128.0.0.0/1 out the OpenVPN interface?

      If so, you are pulling those routes from Nord. That needs to be disabled in the OpenVPN client configuration using Don't pull routes. Once that is done, no traffic will go out the VPN connection unless it is specifically policy routed that way by matching traffic and setting the VPN Gateway in the firewall rule.

      Chattanooga, Tennessee, USA
      A comprehensive network diagram is worth 10,000 words and 15 conference calls.
      DO NOT set a source address/port in a port forward or firewall rule unless you KNOW you need it!
      Do Not Chat For Help! NO_WAN_EGRESS(TM)

      T 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
      • johnpozJ
        johnpoz LAYER 8 Global Moderator @Gertjan
        last edited by

        @Gertjan said in NordVPN Client only for specific hosts:

        I'm pretty sure johnpoz stays away from N#rdVPN as far as posible.

        You got that right - I wouldn't piss on these services if they were on fire and I had just drank a six pack and had to go really really bad.. I would let my bladder explode first ;)

        An intelligent man is sometimes forced to be drunk to spend time with his fools
        If you get confused: Listen to the Music Play
        Please don't Chat/PM me for help, unless mod related
        SG-4860 24.11 | Lab VMs 2.8, 24.11

        1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
        • T
          Tom777 @Derelict
          last edited by

          @Derelict

          I don't see anything like this.

          However, in the OpenVPN Client

          Don't pull routes - "Bars the server from adding routes to the client's routing table" is unchecked

          Don't add/remove routes - "Don't add or remove routes automatically" is checked

          I have added two screenshots to be sure.

          @Gertjan @johnpoz

          I understand your point. I'm using Nord because of the reliability and speed, for surfing the i-net, nothing else, and also for location change if needed for som sites or apps.

          Maybe a tutorial is to much, but some tips how to get to the desired goal, might still not be that much of a burden. I'm also open for other good vpn provider, don't get me wrong.

          Since I'm working remotely, I don't want to mess up my router. Well, yes I have a backup , a Vilfo router, unfortunately they paused the project, so I need to switch. I've also tried with OpenSense, but that was a complete mess. With pfsense I got so far, which is good. No I need to go into the details.

          Thank you for your support!!

          What is strange, or maybe the root of the problem and maybe also the solution approach, is that the IPv4 Rule now goes trough the Nord as gateway.

          Screenshot 2024-09-23 at 10.01.30.png Screenshot 2024-09-23 at 10.02.12.png Screenshot 2024-09-23 at 16.55.37.png Screenshot 2024-09-23 at 17.01.01.png

          Bob.DigB johnpozJ GertjanG 3 Replies Last reply Reply Quote 0
          • Bob.DigB
            Bob.Dig LAYER 8 @Tom777
            last edited by

            @Tom777 said in NordVPN Client only for specific hosts:

            Don't pull routes - "Bars the server from adding routes to the client's routing table" is unchecked

            I think I read it a few times here already that that should be checked! Even if you are new here, you should have too.

            1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
            • johnpozJ
              johnpoz LAYER 8 Global Moderator @Tom777
              last edited by

              @Tom777 said in NordVPN Client only for specific hosts:

              What is strange, or maybe the root of the problem and maybe also the solution approach, is that the IPv4 Rule now goes trough the Nord as gateway.

              Yeah because your policy routing it out that gateway. If you don't want all your clients going out that route, then create a rule that only sends the clients you want out that gateway and add a rule that allows access that doesn't go out that gateway.

              An intelligent man is sometimes forced to be drunk to spend time with his fools
              If you get confused: Listen to the Music Play
              Please don't Chat/PM me for help, unless mod related
              SG-4860 24.11 | Lab VMs 2.8, 24.11

              1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 1
              • GertjanG
                Gertjan @Tom777
                last edited by

                @Tom777

                This :

                6e7a8e86-8944-498b-ab55-85efedb398fc-image.png

                makes me think a third rule is missing.
                The second, 'policy routed' rules with the "DE1073NORDVPNCOM_VPN4" gateway is for the IPs you want to route through the VPN.
                This second rules also needs Source alias. In this alias you put all the IPs you want to route over to the VPN. Now, you route all you 65535 LAN IPs = /16 (really ? 65535 ??) over to the 'VPN' gateway.
                A third rule, where you can use "192.168.0.0/16" as a source, and where you do not specify a gateway, is for all the 'other' devices that need to get routed over over the default == WANv4 interface.

                And here is a free tip of the day : have a look at this : https://www.expressvpn.com/support/vpn-setup/pfsense-with-expressvpn-openvpn/ - and start at point 3 : "Route WAN through the VPN tunnel".

                No "help me" PM's please. Use the forum, the community will thank you.
                Edit : and where are the logs ??

                T 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 1
                • T
                  Tom777 @Gertjan
                  last edited by Tom777

                  Thanks guys!

                  So I will do the following

                  check Don't pull routes - "Bars the server from adding routes to the client's routing table"
                  change the IPV4 rule to Nord only for Alias (specific hosts)
                  Create a second IPV4 rule for the local network, that goes trough WAN below the one already there for Nord

                  @Gertjan I will check this tutorial and adapt. At a first glance is looking like to one from Nord.

                  T 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                  • T
                    Tom777 @Tom777
                    last edited by Tom777

                    Hey guys, I've messed it up.

                    I started (during a Teams cal 😥 ) to add an Alias, and to edit another one. None of them were in use.

                    Teams showed suddenly that I do not have I-net connection but I was able to continue the call. After a restart no internet.

                    What I saw in the status is that the WAN_PPPoE has no connection but the NordVPN Gateway has? That is strange. How can this be, VPN connection without internet?? see screenshot
                    gateway.png

                    I thought, maybe I've clicked something else by mistake, and restored the config it worked before this.

                    But no change!! I had a manual backup under automatic backups, and also downloaded a file under backup service or status, don't remember where it is. Both did not restore the previous state.

                    That is even more crazy! How can I dare to do something, if the backup and restore function do not work??

                    I'm now on my old router.

                    GertjanG 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                    • GertjanG
                      Gertjan @Tom777
                      last edited by Gertjan

                      @Tom777 said in NordVPN Client only for specific hosts:

                      What I saw in the status is that the WAN_PPPoE has no connection but the NordVPN Gateway has? That is strange. How can this be, VPN connection without internet?? see screenshot

                      Your real question is : why the DE103NORD ..... gateway says it's "online" ?
                      Because an gateway is considered online when ping request are send out on that interface to some 'host', and answers are coming back ! The gateway is shows green and online.
                      And there you have it : who is getting pinged here ? Answer : the interface VPN itself - the one on your side : 10.100.0.1 :
                      f25b1637-b27f-4d41-971b-ea950011398a-image.png

                      Normally - and now you know why, a monitor IP like '8.8.8.8' is chosen. Or any remote (!) IP as long it on your site.

                      If your WAN_PPPOE is down, then your VPN can't work niether, as it needs WAN to get out.

                      Btw :
                      I guess I don't need to tell you now that this :

                      99f727bc-ac81-4a1f-b9a1-c1dbf2b2609c-image.png

                      isn't gona work neither.

                      The 10.0.0.1 is a PPPOE connection, which stands for PPP over Ethernet. Such a connections has to be establish first also, a bit like a VPN connection. It isn't up yet, so the 10.0.0.1 isn't valid right now.

                      No "help me" PM's please. Use the forum, the community will thank you.
                      Edit : and where are the logs ??

                      T 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                      • T
                        Tom777 @Gertjan
                        last edited by

                        @Gertjan Thanks, now I understand the false online state.

                        But how did that happen? Editing/adding aliases that are not in use, should not have any effect, should they?

                        More important: How can I restore the functioning state? I have i-net connection with the old router.

                        GertjanG 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                        • GertjanG
                          Gertjan @Tom777
                          last edited by

                          @Tom777

                          Restart, and go by steps.

                          First, out of the default pfSense state (WAN uses DHCP), switch WAN to use PPPOE and make that work.
                          Be aware this is PPPOE so modem (ISPs) can be MAC locked.

                          Then, and only then, save (export) the config of pfSense and give is this special name "known-to-be-good-at-20240924.xml" and from now on you can start thinking about a VPN.

                          No "help me" PM's please. Use the forum, the community will thank you.
                          Edit : and where are the logs ??

                          T 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                          • T
                            Tom777 @Gertjan
                            last edited by

                            @Gertjan said in NordVPN Client only for specific hosts:

                            First, out of the default pfSense state (WAN uses DHCP), switch WAN to use PPPOE and make that work.

                            Oh boy, so no chance to restore what I have backed up yesterday? It worked perfect, but everything went over NordVPN. I thought, I can restore this state.

                            @Gertjan said in NordVPN Client only for specific hosts:

                            Be aware this is PPPOE so modem (ISPs) can be MAC locked.

                            I have an ONT, the (any) router can be connected via cable ONT LAN - router WAN,

                            GertjanG 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                            • GertjanG
                              Gertjan @Tom777
                              last edited by

                              @Tom777 said in NordVPN Client only for specific hosts:

                              Oh boy, so no chance to restore what I have backed up yesterday?

                              Look in /cf/conf/backup/

                              44b017b3-2738-4b9d-a769-d92ac43c84ce-image.png

                              there are a lot of backed up copies.

                              With the SSH (or console) option 15 :

                              3d3e17f0-bcfc-44f0-8338-f25eb02a0e8f-image.png

                              you can take your pick and go back.

                              No "help me" PM's please. Use the forum, the community will thank you.
                              Edit : and where are the logs ??

                              T 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                              • T
                                Tom777 @Gertjan
                                last edited by Tom777

                                @Gertjan

                                Hi, I've set up pfsense from scratch. Restoring via xml file did not work trough GUI, and I was not able to connect via ssh. Later I found the ssh enabler in the GUI, but too late. Still, to not be able to restore a backuo is giving me quite big concerns, as I'm using it for work.

                                But still no IPS connection on WAN via PPPoE😕

                                Screenshot 2024-09-27 at 09.39.10.png

                                This is now strange since the old router gets connected asap. And it is not the Router from the ISP, it is a Vilfo router. Maybe I have done something wrong in the setup of the pfsense? But the first time I've done it the same way. I'm really lost now.

                                GertjanG 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                • GertjanG
                                  Gertjan @Tom777
                                  last edited by

                                  @Tom777

                                  Do you have the pppoe login credentials from your ISP ?

                                  Can we see the PPP logs ? (Under System, or PPP ? Not sure, as I've not used pppoe for a long time)

                                  No "help me" PM's please. Use the forum, the community will thank you.
                                  Edit : and where are the logs ??

                                  T 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                  • T
                                    Tom777 @Gertjan
                                    last edited by Tom777

                                    @Gertjan said in NordVPN Client only for specific hosts:

                                    Do you have the pppoe login credentials from your ISP ?

                                    sure, using them with the Vilfo router.

                                    @Gertjan said in NordVPN Client only for specific hosts:

                                    Can we see the PPP logs ?

                                    Will do this after work today or maybe tomorrow.

                                    Edit:

                                    I saw on the ISP account site that there was a sucesfull connection with the pfsense but it last only for 2 or 3 minutes

                                    GertjanG 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                    • GertjanG
                                      Gertjan @Tom777
                                      last edited by

                                      @Tom777

                                      As a test, disable gateway monitoring.

                                      2ef89efc-c44e-41f8-9a5d-11c50119273f-image.png

                                      No "help me" PM's please. Use the forum, the community will thank you.
                                      Edit : and where are the logs ??

                                      1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 1
                                      • First post
                                        Last post
                                      Copyright 2025 Rubicon Communications LLC (Netgate). All rights reserved.